NHL History: Pat Burns hired as 31st coach in Toronto Maple Leafs history

It was today in 1992 that the Toronto Maple Leafs hired their 31st coach in franchise history: Pat Burns.

He stepped in replaced Tom Watt, who spent two years prior behind the bench.

Burns, however, had much more success behind the bench. In fact, he ended up winning the third-most games in franchise history at the time he finished his tenure. Only Punch Imlach, Hap Day and Dick Irvin had won more.

Over 281 games behind the bench, Burns went 133-107-41 making the playoffs in three of four seasons. In each of his first two years, the Leafs made deep runs in the playoffs. In 1992-93, the Leafs fell in the conference finals to the LA Kings and the next year they fell to the Vancouver Canucks.

In 1995-96, however, the Leafs faltered under Burns and 65 games into the year, he was let go. The firing came amid and eight-game losing streak dropping the Leafs to a 25-30-10 record.

While Toronto ended up making the playoffs but losing in the first round, Burns continued his coaching career two years later.

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