Randy Carlyle fired as Maple Leafs coach:
Coach Randy Carlyle finally paid the price for his inability to fix the Toronto Maple Leafs' defensive shortcomings Tuesday when he was fired and replaced on a temporary basis by assistants Peter Horachek and Steve Spott.
The Maple Leafs announced the decision on their website. They are the fourth team to switch coaches this season, joining the Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils.
Lately, there has been speculation that Philadelphia Flyers coach Craig Berube might also be in trouble.
Although the media pegged Carlyle in the preseason as the coach most likely to be fired, he was viewed as a sympathetic figure in some corners. This season the media, and some fans, have started to believe that the Maple Leafs' issue is the roster and not the coach.
Coming into the season, there had been considerable speculation that Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock might let his contract expire and jump to the Maple Leafs next season. He still has not re-upped with Detroit.
The firing comes with the Maple Leafs in the midst of a stretch in which they have only won three of 10 games.
The Maple Leafs are ranked second in the NHL in goals per game, but they ranked 25th in goals against. They sit in a playoff position, but the Boston Bruins are poised to pass them.
Should the Maple Leafs be looking to hire an established coach immediately, Peter DeBoer, Dan Bylsma and Paul MacLean are among the available veteran coaches.
"I want to thank Randy for all of his hard work and dedication," Toronto general manager Dave Nonis said. "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.
Carlyle won a Stanley Cup as coach of the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
Coach Randy Carlyle finally paid the price for his inability to fix the Toronto Maple Leafs' defensive shortcomings Tuesday when he was fired and replaced on a temporary basis by assistants Peter Horachek and Steve Spott.
The Maple Leafs announced the decision on their website. They are the fourth team to switch coaches this season, joining the Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils.
Lately, there has been speculation that Philadelphia Flyers coach Craig Berube might also be in trouble.
Although the media pegged Carlyle in the preseason as the coach most likely to be fired, he was viewed as a sympathetic figure in some corners. This season the media, and some fans, have started to believe that the Maple Leafs' issue is the roster and not the coach.
Coming into the season, there had been considerable speculation that Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock might let his contract expire and jump to the Maple Leafs next season. He still has not re-upped with Detroit.
The firing comes with the Maple Leafs in the midst of a stretch in which they have only won three of 10 games.
The Maple Leafs are ranked second in the NHL in goals per game, but they ranked 25th in goals against. They sit in a playoff position, but the Boston Bruins are poised to pass them.
Should the Maple Leafs be looking to hire an established coach immediately, Peter DeBoer, Dan Bylsma and Paul MacLean are among the available veteran coaches.
"I want to thank Randy for all of his hard work and dedication," Toronto general manager Dave Nonis said. "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.
Carlyle won a Stanley Cup as coach of the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
