To say the Toronto Maple Leafs have been in a slump since the All-Star break would be a vast understatement.
Toronto has gone 1-9-1 in it's last eleven games and what looked to be the team's first playoff berth since 2004 looks now to be seriously in doubt.
Because of this all eyes were on Maple Leafs President & General Manager Brian Burke at the trade deadline wondering if he would trade for a goaltender or forward to help the team get out of their slump.
Instead Burke held firm only making a couple of deals to help Toronto in the future, not for this season.
That put all eyes on head coach Ron Wilson. It was up to him to lead this roster out of the skid and on their way to Toronto's first playoff berth since before the lockout.
Instead the Maple Leafs fell behind early 2-0 to Florida on Tuesday night en route to a 5-3 loss. As a result of the defeat chants of "Fire Wilson" were heard throughout Air Canada Centre during the game.
On Wednesday in Chicago the Maple Leafs got out to a 3-1 lead before giving up the next four goals in the game to the Blackhawks which ended up being a 5-4 loss.
The question then was not if but when would Burke fire Wilson.
We got our answer Friday night.
Around 8 PM in Montreal word started to leak out that Wilson was done as head coach of the Maple Leafs. About an hour later it was confirmed that Wilson had been relieved as coach with former Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle taking over.
The hiring of Carlyle as head coach does not come as a surprise to me. Carlyle had a record of 273-182-61 as coach of the Ducks. His teams made the playoffs in five of the six seasons he coached including winning the Stanley Cup in 2007.
If Burke knew a coaching change had to be made it made sense to do it right now. By making this move not only does Burke get a coach that was almost certain to become a hot commodity this off-season he also gives Carlyle a month with this roster to see what works and what doesn't.
As for Wilson this ends a tumultuous four year run as coach in Toronto where it seemed like the media questioned his every move.
With Wilson's connections to Team USA hockey Toronto was never going to accept him unless he won a cup. With the roster he had that just wasn't possible.
I think Ron Wilson is a very good NHL coach and I think the game is better off having him behind the bench. There are a couple NHL teams I can think of that should consider hiring Wilson this summer.
Here is the Power Poll for Week 20.
1. Detroit 43-20-3 89 points
A concern for Red wings fans as Jimmy Howard joins the list of injured players with a lower body injury.
2. N.Y. Rangers 42-15-7 91 points
The Rangers have three victories in three games over Boston this season and have won nine of the last eleven against the Bruins.
3. Vancouver 41-17-8 90 points
Despite their record the Canucks are struggling with the man advantage.
4. St. Louis 41-18-7 89 points
Blues have killed their last 27 penalties.
5. Pittsburgh 38-21-5 81 points
Hottest player for the Penguins right now is Steve Sullivan who is riding a seven game point streak. (3G, 5A)
6. Boston 38-23-3 79 points
Not a good weekend for the Bruins as they are swept away in New York by the Islanders & Rangers.
7. Nashville 38-20-7 83 points
Pekka Rinne ties the team record for goaltending wins in a season with 36. I think he's a pretty safe bet to break that record.
8. Chicago 36-24-7 79 points
The streakiest team in the NHL has now won three in a row.
9. Philadelphia 36-21-7 79 points
Hall of Fame inductee Mark Howe to have his jersey retired tomorrow night when the Flyers host Detroit.
10. New Jersey 36-24-5 77 points
Devils are tied with Los Angeles and Montreal for the most goals scored (six) while playing 5-on-3.
11. Dallas 35-26-5 75 points
Forward Loui Eriksson has nine points (4G,5A) in his last six games.
12. Ottawa 34-25-8 76 points
With goalie Craig Anderson out indefinitely with an injury, Robin Lehner gets an opportunity in net.
13. Colorado 34-29-4 72 points
Acquisition of Jamie McGinn pays off for Avalanche last night as he scores both goals against Minnesota.
14. San Jose 33-24-7 73 points
Sharks coach Todd McLellan has missed the last three games since getting hit in the head with a stick last Sunday in Minnesota.
15. Phoenix 33-23-9 75 points
Since finishing February with a record of 11-0-1 the coyotes have been outscored 9-4 in back to back losses to Calgary & Columbus.
16. Washington 32-28-5 69 points
Capitals have been shutout 5 times in their last 22 games after scoring at least a goal in their 1st 43 games this season.
17. Florida 31-22-12 74 points
While I have had a hard time buying into the Panthers this season I have to admit I like their chances to win the Southeast.
18. Tampa Bay 31-28-6 68 points
Don't look now but the Lightning are two points outside of the final playoff spot in the East...
19. Winnipeg 31-27-8 70 points
Which right now is being held by the Jets.
20. Los Angeles 30-23-12 72 points
Jeff Carter scores his first two goals for Los Angeles in the Kings win over Anaheim.
21. Buffalo 30-27-8 68 points
Three straight wins for Sabres has Buffalo two points out of the final playoff spot in the East.
22. Toronto 30-28-7 67 points
Well so far the Randy Carlyle hire is working.
23. Calgary 29-25-12 70 points
Flames have lost five of their last six games.
24. Anaheim 28-28-10 66 points
Ducks are 10-2-1 in their last 13 home games. Have eight home games remaining on the season.
25. N.Y. Islanders 28-29-9 65 points
Congrats to Anders Nilsson on his 1st NHL win in goal. (A shutout no less)
26. Minnesota 28-28-10 66 points
Watching this team all I can do is sigh and wonder how different things would be if they were completely healthy.
27. Montreal 25-31-10 60 points
One bright spot for the Canadiens this year is the development of P.K. Subban.
28. Edmonton 25-33-6 56 points
Despite their record the Oilers do have the top Power Play percentage in the NHL (21.7)
29. Carolina 24-27-14 62 points
Eric Staal has scored a point in his last 11 games.
30. Columbus 20-38-7 47 points
If I'm Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson I'm calling Ron Wilson about the team's coaching position next season.
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