Red Wings Expected to Fire Murray

Bryan Murray probably is on his way out as Detroit Red Wing coach, and a decision may come when owner Mike Ilitch returns home this weekend, a team official said.

Ilitch, owner of Little Caesars Inc., was vacationing in Florida after attending a convention of his pizza makers in Las Vegas. He left Detroit after the Red Wings were eliminated from the NHL playoffs in the first round by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Executive vice president Jim Lites said Thursday that Murray probably will be replaced as coach, but will remain general manager.

“Murray has been an excellent general manager,” Lites said. “He hasn’t made a bad trade yet. To suggest he would be out as GM is just terrible.

“(But) we were disappointed in the playoff production, and there will be some changes.”