The Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Randy Carlyle Tuesday morning.
Though the team is in contention for a playoff spot in the mediocre bottom half of the Eastern Conference, that was not enough to save Carlyle with the clubs 21-16-3 opening to the season.
“I want to thank Randy for all of his hard work and dedication,” said David Nonis, Leafs GM. “It’s never an easy decision to make when changing your leadership but our team was not trending in the right direction and we felt an immediate change was necessary.”
The fans may have had a small role in the firing. Boo’ing the team all year, throwing team merchandise on the ice, including authentic sweaters.
That and add in a 3-7-0 in their last 10 games did not help his cause. It also did not help to call out your GM, then have him and team President Brendan Shanahan in attendance for the 5-1 loss to Winnipeg right after.
After 3+ years with Toronto, Carlyle went 91-78-19, the big stat through all that, the Leafs never won a playoff series under him.
As of now, assistant coaches Peter Horachek and Steve Spott will handle coaching duties for the next game, Wednesday night against the Washington Capitals, the team said.
It will be interesting to see who the Leafs bring in. There is no doubt more mediocre play will have the fans in Toronto losing their minds. Whoever it is will have his hands full, and must win right away.
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