NHL Notes: Ducks Fire Bruce Boudreau After Latest Playoff Exit

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Anaheim Ducks have fired coach Bruce Boudreau after their first-round exit from the playoffs.

Ducks general manager Bob Murray announced the decision Friday.

Boudreau had spectacular regular-season success with the Ducks, leading them to four consecutive Pacific Division titles while going 208-104-40 in nearly five seasons in charge.

But the Ducks' last four seasons have ended with a Game 7 loss on home ice in the playoffs. The Ducks blew a 3-2 series lead in all four years, culminating in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Nashville in Game 7 of the first round.

Anaheim reached the Western Conference finals last season, losing in seven games to Chicago. That was the second straight year the Ducks were eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champions.

Capitals: Wilson fined for knee on Pens' Sheary
WASHINGTON - The NHL has fined Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson $2,404 for his knee-on-knee hit that temporarily knocked Pittsburgh forward Conor Sheary out of Game 1.

Wilson sent Sheary to the ice with his left knee 4 minutes into the third period of the Capitals' 4-3 overtime victory Thursday night. Sheary hobbled to the nearby bench in pain and missed a few shifts. Wilson was not penalized and he escaped a suspension, too.

The NHL said Friday that the fine was the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement with the players' union.

Red Wings: Little Ceasars lands naming rights to new arena
DETROIT - The name of the new home of the Detroit Red Wings is staying in the family.

The hockey arena will be called Little Caesars Arena, named for the pizza chain founded in 1959 by Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch and wife Marian.

The name was announced Thursday by Little Caesars and Olympia Entertainment. They said a 20-year naming agreement will average more than $6 million per year.

It's possible that another bidder could have paid more money to get the naming rights. But Chris Ilitch, chief executive of the family's Ilitch Holdings, said, "This is more than just about money."

"This is our hometown. This is a legacy business," he said.

With the deal, Little Caesars Arena branding will be on the roof of the 20,000-seat arena, on the exterior, at entrances and at center ice. The arena should open in 2017 after the Red Wings play a final season at Joe Louis Arena.

The new arena is part of an entertainment district being built north of downtown. The family also owns the Detroit Tigers.

"This facility is going to be world-class and one of the great entertainment venues in our country," Ilitch said.