Maple Leafs fire head coach Randy Carlyle

Randy Carlyle had to go, but pressure is now on Maple Leafs playersThe Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Randy Carlyle, the team announced on Tuesday.

Randy Carlyle had to go, but pressure is now on Maple Leafs players

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Randy Carlyle, the team announced on Tuesday.

The Maple Leafs have lost seven of their last 10 games, dropping to fourth place in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a one-point lead on the Boston Bruins for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

General manager David Nonis said the team couldn't wait any longer to make a coaching change.

“I want to thank Randy for all of his hard work and dedication,” said Nonis. “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, 58, was in his third full season with the Maple Leafs since taking over late in the 2011-2012 season. He compiled a 91-78-19 record in Toronto. The Maple Leafs made the playoffs just once under Carlyle, losing in seven games to the Bruins in the first round of the 2013 playoffs.

Prior to taking over the Maple Leafs, Carlyle was head coach of the Anaheim Ducks from 2006 until 2011. The Ducks won the Stanley Cup in his first season at the helm.

Assistant coaches Peter Horachek and Steve Spott will lead the team during Wednesday's game against the Washington Capitals.

- Paul Palladino