The Chicago Blackhawks have replaced general manager Dale Tallon with assistant general manager Stan Bowman.
The 36-year Bowman, who is the son of Hall of Fame coach and Blackhawks senior advisor Scotty Bowman has been with the club for nine seasons.
Tallon was reassigned and named a senior advisor of hockey operations.
"I have been with this organization in several different capacities since coming over as a player in 1973 and although my position has changed, my goals have not," Tallon said in a statement. "I've seen Stan come up through our ranks and I'm confident he is the right person to step in. This is what is best for the Chicago Blackhawks."
Tallon and the Blackhawks recently took heat over the off-season for failing to properly send free agent offers to several players by the deadline. All of the players re-signed with the Blackhawks.
The incident was an embarrassing one for the club and the NHLPA filed a grievance with the league, but it was not believed to be a major factor in the change.
Tallon became GM in 2005 and helped the club draft players like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. With a crop of solid young talent, the Blackhawks showed steady improvement over the past few years.
Last season, Chicago made the playoffs for the first time since 2002. The young and skilled lineup made it all the way to Western Conference final, but lost to the Detroit Red Wings in five games.