Paul MacLean fired as coach of Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) -- The Senators have fired coach Paul MacLean after an 11-11-5 start - the first coaching dismissal in the NHL this season.

Assistant Dave Cameron is considered the leading candidate to become interim coach. An overtime victory Sunday night against Vancouver was not enough to save MacLean's job.

Ottawa is 10th in the Eastern Conference. The Senators made the playoffs in MacLean's first two seasons but missed last year following the departure of longtime captain Daniel Alfredsson.

MacLean's defensive tactics allowed opponents easier entry into the defensive zone, leading to games in which the Senators were often outshot.

MacLean won the Jack Adams Trophy as coach of the year in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. He led his team to the playoffs despite injuries to Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson and Craig Anderson.