Winnipeg Jets Fire Coach

In one of their last acts in Winnipeg, the Jets fired coach Terry Simpson, saying they want to “move in a different direction” when they start over next season as the Phoenix Coyotes.

Simpson had a year left on his contract. General manager John Paddock said he will talk to Simpson regarding the possibility of another job in the organization.

The Jets had a 36-40-6 record this season for 78 points.

The supposed deadline for keeping the Whalers in Hartford, Conn., was to be midnight Tuesday. Team owner Peter Karmanos has said he would move the team if season-ticket sales failed to reach 11,000 by then. A Whalers spokesman said an announcement was likely to be made today or Thursday.

Phil Esposito signed a three-year contract to remain as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The team will focus on retaining coach Terry Crisp.

Pittsburgh’s Ron Francis, voted the league’s top defensive forward last season, is expected to miss four to six weeks of play. Francis broke his left foot Saturday in the Penguins’ series-clinching victory over the New York Rangers.

New Jersey promoted Robbie Ftorek from head coach of their minor-league affiliate to assistant coach of the Devils after deciding not to renew the contract of Chris Nilan.