Toronto Maple Leafs: Ron Wilson Fired, Replaced with Randy Carlyle

According to multiple reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs have pulled the plug on head coach Ron Wilson and have brought in former Anaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle to replace him.

The firing comes only two days after the Leafs lost their sixth consecutive game on Wednesday night to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Leafs were in the middle of an ugly slide, posting a 1-8-1 record in their past 10 games, as well as only four victories in 14 games in the month of February. 

After losing to the Blackhawks on Wednesday, Wilson shrugged off questions about him being under pressure.

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"Pressure is fighting for your life when you have cancer. Here, we're just trying to win hockey games."

 

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Wilson was hired as the team's head coach in June of 2008 and compiled a 130-135-45 record with the team during that span. Wilson was unable to guide the Maple Leafs back into the playoffs during his tenure, leaving them with the second longest drought in the league. 

Randy Carlyle will join the struggling Leafs by reuniting with his former general manager, Brian Burke, from their days in Anaheim, which includes a Stanley Cup in 2007. After the Ducks struggled out of the gate to start the season, Carlyle was fired and replaced by Capitals' former coach Bruce Boudreau. 

TSN reporter Darren Dreger reported that the Leafs new coach will be on the bench for the team's match up against their long-time rival Montreal Canadiens on Saturday Night.