1980s
The 80’s to early 90’s saw the Toronto Maple Leafs in and out of playoffs and cycling through coaches , starting with Joe Crozier in 1980, then Mike Nykoluk in 1981.
The team missed or was disqualified first round from playoffs each of the four seasons he coached. There was Dan Maloney, famed for his right hand punch and considered to most hockey fans of the day to be a legendary fighter, Maloney was given an assistant coaching position when he retired in 1982 with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was then promoted in 84 to head coach for two seasons.
Following him was John Brophy from 1984-1988 , who was fired mid-season after an embarrassing start and unfavorable results in previous seasons.
George Armstrong, a center who had played 21 seasons for the Leafs and captained the team for 13 seasons, was part of four Stanley Cup championship teams and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975. Armstrong had been approached to coach after the firing of Red Kelly but he rejected only to return to the Leafs organization in a dual role of assistant GM and scout.
When Brophy was fired, Armstrong took the role for the 1988 season and the team ended their season with 17 wins in the 47 games he coached and he is replaced with Doug Carpenter for 1989-1990 season.
Things were getting bleak for the Toronto Maple Leafs until 1990 saw the passing of Ballard, and new management being brought in.