ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Blues have fired coach Andy Murray and appointed Davis Payne interim head coach.

Blues spokesman Mike Caruso confirmed the moves Saturday.

The Blues have been struggling this season and are 12th in the Western Conference with a 17-17-6 record.

Murray was hired by the Blues in 2006 after coaching the Los Angeles Kings and working as assistant in Philadelphia, Minnesota and Winnipeg.

Team president John Davidson cited Payne's nine winning seasons in the minors, including an ECHL championship in 2006.