Struggling Capitals Fire Coach Cassidy

The Washington Capitals fired Coach Bruce Cassidy on Wednesday, three months into his second season in the NHL, citing the team’s poor record and performance.

The Capitals, with the second-worst record in the league (8-18-1-1) and slim hopes for the playoffs, named assistant coach Glen Hanlon as their new head coach.

General Manager George McPhee got authorization for the change after suggesting it to owner Ted Leonsis on Tuesday night, then informed Hanlon of the decision.

He notified Cassidy of his dismissal at a morning meeting at the team’s practice rink Wednesday shortly before practice was scheduled to begin. Cassidy quickly left the rink.

Hanlon, 46, will make his NHL coaching debut at MCI Center tonight against the Boston Bruins, with Randy Carlyle remaining on the staff as the only assistant coach.

“Butch did a real nice job for us,” McPhee said, using the team’s nickname for Cassidy at an afternoon news conference with Hanlon.

“But we were in a spiral this season and I couldn’t sit back any longer. We still have every intention of making the playoffs. It may be tough now, but if we didn’t do this now, we may not have been able to” make the playoffs.

After being ousted in the first round of the playoffs last year, the Capitals have struggled mightily under Cassidy this season despite a $50-million payroll -- one of the highest in the NHL -- and a roster laden with stars such as Jaromir Jagr, Olaf Kolzig, Robert Lang and Peter Bondra.

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Calgary Flames’ center Craig Conroy could miss up to a month because of a sprained knee. He was hurt during a 2-1 victory over Minnesota on Friday.

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Columbus signed defenseman Jamie Pushor to a one-year contract, bringing back an original member of the team. Pushor has been playing for Syracuse, the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate. He attended training camp with Toronto this fall.