Senators fire GM Muckler

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Ottawa Senators fired general manager John Muckler on Monday, less than two weeks after the National Hockey League team was comprehensively beaten in the final of the Stanley Cup.

Muckler, 73, who was replaced by head coach Bryan Murray, had had a year to go on his contract and told reporters after the loss to the Anaheim Ducks that he did not plan to leave early. The club is now seeking a new head coach.

"Bryan shares our focus and drive on building a championship team here in Ottawa," Senators' owner Eugene Melnyk told a news conference. Muckler had been in the job five years.

The current Senators franchise -- which joined the NHL in 1992 -- had looked unstoppable as they swept to their first Stanley Cup finals last season. But they were outmuscled and outplayed by the Ducks, losing the series 4-1.

Murray, 64, who had been coach since 2005, is the club's seventh general manager and his regular season coaching record in Ottawa is 100-46-18. He has previously been general manager of the Ducks and the Florida Panthers.

"I've really enjoyed coaching, being around the players on a daily basis ... it's hard to give that up but it's certainly a different opportunity to make the Senators a top-notch organization," he told the news conference.