Isles Fire Goring

NHL teams

"Butch is a good friend, good person and a good coach," Henning said. "He's an Islander. It's a sad time for everyone, but you have to move forward. I've been in the business 30 years. I have Islander blood. We have to right the ship and get things going."

The Islanders (17-40-5-3) are last in the Atlantic Division and have a league-low 42 points. That's one fewer than that of Tampa Bay.

"Hopefully, we can win some games, get some passion and energy going again and have some fun in these last 17 games," said Henning. "It's real tough. I'm sure the players realize that, looking down the road, we need to get a foundation and start going in the right direction."

General manager Mike Milbury has fired five coaches, including himself twice, during 5½ years on the job.

"It's really disappointing," said winger Brad Isbister. "Butch is a great guy and a great coach. I feel that the team is to blame as a whole. The coach is the one who usually pays the price in instances like this."