Ducks fire assistant Brad Lauer, who coached 28th-ranked power play

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Coach Bruce Boudreau will return to the Ducks next season, although he'll be without one of his assistants.

Assistant coach Brad Lauer was fired Tuesday after general manager Bob Murray completed his postseason evaluation of the three-time Pacific Division champion Ducks. They lost the Western Conference finals to the Chicago Blackhawks in seven games last month.

Lauer had been on Boudreau's staff since their arrival in November 2011. Lauer coached the Ducks' power play, which ranked 28th in the NHL.

Boudreau has turned the Ducks into a Stanley Cup contender, and they've advanced an additional round in each of the past three postseasons. They've also blown a 3-2 series lead and lost a Game 7 in each playoff run.

Assistants Trent Yawney and Scott Niedermayer are expected to return.