NHL News: Julien Fired by Slumping Bruins and Injury Updates

It’s getting to be crunch time in hockey, and the NHL bye-weeks have been ongoing since January. There’s important news including the firing of Boston Bruins’ head coach Claude Julien and updates on the Blues’ Robby Fabbri and Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin.

The Boston Bruins fired head coach Claude Julien on Tuesday and announced that assistant Coach Bruce Cassidy will take over on an interim basis. Here’s a closer look at the Julien firing.

Boston Bruins’ Head Coach Claude Julien Fired

Boston Bruins’ Head Coach Claude Julien was fired today. Julien, who has been at the helm in Beantown for a decade, had taken Boston to a 26-23-6 record for 58 points over 55 games this season. Julien is the fourth NHL coach to be fired this season. Others include Ken Hitchcock (St. Louis Blues), Gerard Gallant (Florida Panthers) and Jack Capuano (New York Islanders).

The Bruins have been playing inconsistently this season and have struggled over the past few years to go deep into the postseason and to even make it into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Under Julien, Boston won the Stanley Cup in 2010-11. The last time they had won the Cup was in 1971. Prior to his firing, Julien had been the longest tenured NHL coach.

St. Louis Blues Robby Fabbri ACL

St. Louis forward Robby Fabbri is out for the season with an ACL injury. Fabbri , who was trying to help the Blues earn a playoff spot, has 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 51 games this season. For Fabbri , who is 21, it’s his second NHL season. The Blues are two points out of the final playoff spot in the West.

Fabbri left partway into the first period on Saturday as the Blues battled the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was assisted into the locker room after getting hit in front of the Blues’ bench.

The team has announced that Fabbri will be back for training camp in September. St. Louis fired coach Ken Hitchcock last week replacing him with assistant coach Mike Yeo. The team called up forwards Kenny Agostino and Magnus Paajarvi from the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. Agostino is leading the AHL with 60 points in 48 games.

Evgeni Malkin at Practice

The Pittsburgh Penguins saw star the NHL’s 2012 MVP, Evgeni Malkin, return to the ice for some practice as his lower-body injury continues to heal. Malkin, who is second on the Penguins in goals (22) and points (54), with only Crosby ahead of him, is a two-time Stanley Cup champ and a three-time All-Star. Since Jan. 24, when he was injured playing against the Blues, Pittsburgh’s gone 3-1. The team is third in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. That has them second in the league’s, Metropolitan Division behind a very hot Washington Capitals team.

Malkin wore a non-contact jersey the other day. He skated for an hour with the team and then did some individual work.

“I want to be back soon,” said Malkin, “But have to be careful. It’s not ready but day by day.” “He will not play Tuesday against Calgary.

Boston Bruins’ Head Coach Claude Julien: Final World

The firing of Boston Bruins’ head coach Claude Julien is symptomatic of what occurs when a team is struggling. The Bruins are currently out of the playoff picture by a point. They are 4-5-1 over their last 10 games and have lost two straight.