Change in Toronto: Thursday notes

The Maple Leafs extended Randy Carlyle’s contract but fired their assistant coaches, former Bridgeport coach Greg Cronin, former Islanders coach Scott Gordon and former New Haven Nighthawks defenseman Dave Farrish. Surely they’ll find landing spots.

Texas opened its series with a win against the defending champs. The other two series start Friday, including Providence at Wilkes-Barre. Thinking Matt Fraser owes a hat tip to Jonathan Bombulie. (Or the other way around, for making Jonathan look good.)

The World Championship begins Friday, too. The USA-Belarus game, with three former Sound Tigers, is on NBC Sports Net at 1:30 p.m.

And a tip of cap to Dirk Hoag, whose On the Forecheck has been one of the best hockey blogs since hockey blogs came into existence, as he steps away.

Michael Fornabaio