After the Maple Leafs suffered a crushing 9-2 loss to the Nashville Predators Tuesday night, coach Randy Carlyle’s standing with the team is once again in question. There was speculation about him being fired after the Maple Leafs’ late season collapse in 2013-14 cost them a playoff spot that at one time seemed all-but guaranteed, but president Brendan Shanahan and GM Dave Nonis decided to stick with him.
Toronto’s shaky play so far this season capped by back-to-back blowout losses hasn’t exactly won people over though.
In fact some, perhaps looking to assign an explanation for the Leafs’ recent shortcomings, might even think the team is conspiring to get him fired. At the least, that’s the question that was directed at Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson after tonight’s contest.
"[Expletive] no,” Franson said, per the Globe and Mail’s James Mirtle.
Captain Dion Phaneuf was also asked if the Leafs were trying to get Carlyle fired and he denied it too.