5 Replacements for Coach Ron Wilson of the Toronto Maple Leafs

As the Toronto Maple Leafs slip further away from the playoffs with every defeat, fans no longer ask if, but when will coach Ron Wilson be fired.

Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks was not the result the Leafs were looking for to say the least. Toronto put forth a much better effort than they had in their previous tilt versus the Florida Panthers, but a loss is still a loss.

As frustrations continue to boil over, fans can do nothing but guess whether or not GM Brian Burke will finally decide to drop the axe on his old college friend.

However, should Burke make the decision to do so, there is certainly a good number of capable candidates available.

With this in mind, I have complied a list of five highly qualified replacements.

Take a quick gander and feel free to make you own suggestions.

Scott Gordon

As a current assistant in Toronto, Scott Gordon may be a perfect short-term replacement as head coach.

Wilson seems to think so—he's pointing directly at him in this picture.

Gordon is probably not the ideal choice for the future, but if Toronto continues to lose and Burke decides to pull the trigger within the next week, he could slide down the bench to assume head-coaching duties through to the end of the season.

Dallas Eakins

Is it any wonder why the Toronto Marlies are having such a great season? Check out that staredown. I wouldn't want to mess with Dallas Eakins either.

Seriously, though, Eakins is soon to have a bright future as an NHL head coach, so why not start in Toronto?

All things considered, Eakins may be the ideal candidate.

He has an excellent knowledge base of the organization's young talent and has developed a respectful, working relationship with them too.

Moreover, he has been able to build a solid reputation amongst Leafs Nation, which is a fanbase craving for a new team leader.

But Burke won't want to mess with the success of his farm team, so if Eakins is to assume head-coaching duties in Toronto, don't expect it to happen before next season.

"Iron" Mike Keenan

"Iron" Mike Keenan. If his name doesn't scare you, ask a few of his former players just how tough he can be.

The Leafs are searching for a major jolt, and considering Wilson's lackluster demeanor as of late, perhaps a tough-nosed coach is exactly what they need.

That formula has worked out perfectly for the New York Rangers—John Tortorella has his team firing on all cylinders.

Don't get me wrong. I am not trying to say that the Leafs are comparable to the Rangers in terms of skill, but for the most part the two teams are comparable in age.

If the take-no-prisoners style of coaching worked in the Big Apple, maybe it can work in the Big Smoke too.

Doug Gilmour

If there is one person who understands what winning means to the city of Toronto, and one person who is capable of teaching players what passionate play is all about, Doug Gilmour is that person.

Well known to Leafs fans as the "Killer," Gilmour most recently honed his coaching skills in the OHL as the head boss of the Kingston Frontenacs.

He has since climbed the corporate ladder and currently assumes the position of GM with the club.

When he is not with his team, Gilmour can often be spotted taking in the action at the Air Canada Centre, and those close to the No. 93 have suggested that he is eager to join the Leafs organization as soon as an opportunity presents itself.

Patrick Roy

Imagine the pandemonium in Montreal if Toronto snapped up the only bilingual coach available.

Those are headlines that I would kill to read.

While Patrick Roy may have too much Montreal Canadiens blood in him for many Toronto fans, it is no secret that he is itching for a head-coaching job in the NHL, and all joking aside, this is one individual who has the potential to become an excellent NHL coach.

Don Cherry

Relax, I'm not being serious, but I couldn't resist.

Whether he's complaining about Wilson or feuding in the papers with Burke, Cherry has been critical of the Leafs all season.

In fact, he has virtually made a career out of being critical of NHL coaches since he last performed the job himself.

Wouldn't it be great to see Canada's biggest loudmouth try and back up his own words?

C'mon, Cherry.

Do us all a joy and give it one last kick at the can, or should I say cup?

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