FILE - In this May 29, 2007, file photo, Don Maloney talks with the media after being named the new general manager of the Phoenix Coyotes, in Glendale, Ariz. A person with direct knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press that the Arizona Coyotes will relieve general manager Don Maloney of his duties later Monday, April 11, 2016. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not been made. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
FILE - In this May 29, 2007, file photo, Don Maloney talks with the media after being named the new general manager of the Phoenix Coyotes, in Glendale, Ariz. A person with direct knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press that the Arizona Coyotes will relieve general manager Don Maloney of his duties later Monday, April 11, 2016. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not been made. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Glendale, Ariz. — The Arizona Coyotes fired general manager Don Maloney on Monday.

Maloney spent the past nine seasons as executive vice president and GM. The Coyotes made the playoffs from 2010-12, but have now missed four consecutive postseasons. Arizona went 35-39-8 this season and finished fourth in the Pacific Division.

Maloney leaves the organization with several high-profile prospects and young players, including rookie forwards Max Domi and Anthony Duclair.

Dave Tippett has two years remaining on his contract as coach and is expected to be retained.

Maloney had one of the most difficult jobs in sports, leading a team operating under the financial constraints of being owned by the NHL for four seasons. Maloney handled it better than expected, bringing in gritty, low-salaried players who fit Tippett’s defensive style of hockey.

The Coyotes lost in the first round of the playoffs in 2010 and 2011, but rallied fans across the Valley of the Sun with an unexpected run to the 2012 Western Conference finals.

A new ownership group, led by Anthony LeBlanc and George Gosbee, stuck with Maloney after buying the team in 2013 and kept him as GM after Andrew Barroway bought 51 percent of the team in 2014.

Rangers’ Captain Likely Out

Greenburgh, n.y. — New York Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh is unlikely to start the first-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

McDonagh, who injured his right hand at Columbus a week ago, did not practice Monday. Coach Alain Vigneault said the defenseman is being listed as day to day, then later he said that McDonagh is not going to start.

McDonagh status isn’t the only uncertainty because of injury. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist left the ice early because he was not feeling well. Vigneault expects him to practice today and play Wednesday in the series opener.

McDonagh skated before the Rangers practiced. Neither he nor Lundqvist were made available to the media.

Datsyuk UncertainOf Detroit Future

Detroit — Detroit Red Wings star Pavel Datsyuk says it is hard to make a final decision on his future.

Datsyuk was peppered with questions Monday, a day after being quoted in a story saying he was returning to Russia and retiring from the NHL.

The 37-year-old center insists his focus is only on the playoffs. The Red Wings will play at Tampa Bay on Wednesday night in the first game of the playoffs.

Datsyuk has one season left on his three-year, $22.5 million contract. He will count $7.5 million against Detroit’s salary cap next season even if he retires. Datsyuk acknowledges it was a mistake to sign a multiyear deal.

Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg says he had a feeling Datsyuk would want to go back home.