Babcock out, Boughner in

PITTSBURGH (AP) A season that started out with promise and ended in a whimper cost Mike Babcock his head coaching position with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Team owner and acting general manager Gary Brown made the announcement today that "effective immediately Mike Babcock has been relieved of his coaching duties." In his place veteran coach and former defenseman Bob Boughner has been signed to a three year contract to be head coach.  Financial terms of Boughner's contract were not disclosed.

"The best way to describe the Penguins just completed season was 'advanced mediocrity.'  We had several players enjoy career years but our defense was shabby and our goaltending was unsteady.  Our special teams, especially the penalty killers, were responsible for too many soft goals and you don't make the playoffs that way," Brown told reporters, adding "We'd like to thank Mike Babcock for his years behind the bench, but nobody was listening to him in the room anymore.  Hit the bricks, pal."