MacLean Steps Down as Columbus Coach

Doug MacLean stepped down as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday after failing to duplicate the success he had in Florida.

MacLean, 49, remains president and general manager of the Blue Jackets, who have the worst record in the NHL (9-21-4-3). Assistant Gerard Gallant was elevated to the head coaching spot.

MacLean coached the Florida Panthers to the 1996 Stanley Cup finals in the franchise’s third season. He had a record of 24-43-8-4 as the Blue Jackets’ head coach. He fired Dave King, the franchise’s first coach, last January and took over on an interim basis. He took the job full time in June.

Gallant has been an assistant with the Blue Jackets since their inception 3 1/2 years ago. Columbus begins a seven-game trip tonight in Tampa.

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Vancouver Canuck Coach Marc Crawford has been given a three-year contract extension. He has become the winningest coach in team history since becoming coach on Jan. 24, 1999, compiling a record of 182-150-58-21. ... Washington Capital center Dainius Zubrus will be sidelined two to four weeks because of a broken right foot. Zubrus was injured Wednesday night when he was struck by a slap shot in the first period of a 7-1 loss at Buffalo. Zubrus has 11 goals and 12 assists this season.