The Toronto Maples Leafs have fired Mike Babcock as head coach.

Brendan Shanahan, who hired Babcock in 2015, flew to Arizona on Wednesday to break the news along with general manager Kyle Dubas

"It wasn't an easy conversation to have and it wasn't pleasant, days like today are not," Shanahan said in Scottsdale, Arizona. "But it was what we felt was important for the club. Once you realize there's something you should do, and have to do, then it's best to act on it."