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Lunchbox
Top Prospect
Canada
88 Posts |
 Posted - 01/31/2011 : 00:09:51
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Poll Question:
With Ron Wilson being chosen as least favorite NHL coach in a recent player poll, does this add to the pressure in Toronto to have him replaced, and if so, by who?
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Lunchbox
Top Prospect
Canada
88 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2011 : 00:16:47
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This is obviously not a scientific process, but with rumours that Wilson has "lost the room" in Toronto, and now this poll, it can probably be said that at least some of the Maple Leafs feel the same way, so Im not trying to bash Wilson, I just think someone could probably do a better job. Plus, with the Toronto media, Wilson and Burke are probably going to be asked what they think of the result.
I myself voted for Wilson, as I think this year is a wash, and they might as well wait until the summer to find someone new. That being said, of my admittedly small and incomplete list, I would choose Andy Murray. He has been said to be good with younger teams, and good at implementing a system and getting players to buy in.
I also remember him coaching the St. Louis Blues to that improbable playoff spot when they were last in the league at the all-star break, so maybe now would be a good time in TO.  |
Edited by - Lunchbox on 01/31/2011 00:17:22 |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2011 : 05:37:53
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Every year matters, and when playing a bunch of rookies and young guys who you want to "mold", it matters EVEN MORE. I would argue that on a contender full of veterans, it matters much less that the coach is a prick . . . for the Leafs right now, I'd say it matters a lot that Wilson is the least liked, known as a prick, and has made countless blunders concerning player movement, who he attacks or makes denegrating comments about after a game, etc.
In my opinion, Wilson has been nothing short of brutal.
I voted Hitchcock . . . with a coach like that, who has a solid defensive system that has worked EVERYWHERE he has gone (even with crap teams), he would have had this team contending for a playoff spot this year, IMHO.
Oh, and thanks for putting this in the Toronto category where it belongs. 
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2011 : 08:02:36
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| I said other and other being Kirk Muller. I'm only going on what was said at the All Star game by i believe Kelly Hrudey? He was saying that teams (players) seem to be taking a liking to younger coaches. Kirk Muller was picked as the assistant coach who players feel should be the next head coach as well, the only prob being, from what i heard, is that he doesn't have an "out" in his contract with Montreal to become a head coach (something most new assistants are requesting these days). Whether or not Montreal would let him go is another question. |
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Guest2712
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Posted - 01/31/2011 : 10:11:58
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Toronto needs a coach that likes an agressive forecheck style of game. that's the team that Burke is attempting to build, so that's the system they need to learn.
to bring in a coach like Hitchcock who preaches defense first, would be a mistake.
i like the idea of Muller coming in as coach as well. he may be a rookie coach, but he's a well known name in the NHL, has hockey smarts, and he's also a former Leaf. the fans would probably react well to the hiring. |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2011 : 10:29:34
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Guest 2712 - I get what you're saying about an aggressive forecheck team (ie - Toronto is young, has lots of speed) but I think defence first is the important thing here.
For the group of defencemen we have only one (Schenn) is performing at or above expectation level (ok, maybe add in Gunnarson too). Komisarek has been the absolute worst, and has deserved being benched at least half the season. Phaneuf has mostly been slightly below ordinary. Beauchemin has not been great, and neither has Kaberle really. Lebda looks terrible, as if those Detroit days were a dream.
With a good defensive coach, the Leaf defence should be a STRENGTH - not a glaring weakness (as it remains today). Our offence was and remains short of talent, and we all knew that to start the season, but with ok goaltending, we could be a LOT better with a very tight defensive system.
Defence first, IMHO, is never a mistake - especially in today's game.
I like Muller a lot too, but bring in a guy with a proven record to shape things up first.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Guest2712
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Posted - 01/31/2011 : 12:33:26
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slozo, i agree with what your saying. there is no question the Leafs defence need some major improvements.
but what i'm saying is as the team develops, so to does their education of the system their being built for.
if you plan to play a defense first system, then you build a defense first team, and hire defence first coach like Hitch. and vice versa. Burke's plan is to build an aggressive forechecking team that can play both ends of the ice. so IMHO he should stick to an aggressive forecheck coach. |
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The Duke
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1239 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2011 : 16:20:50
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Its not omly the head coach who teaches defensive techniques, its the assistant coaches as well. Toronto`s coaches as a unit are horrible, fire them all, they`ve been there long enough !!!
Always last in PP...always last in PK....always last blah, blah, blah...same ole - same ole....what-ever they are teaching, throw it all out the window along with them.
I`d like to see a younger coach, pick a great mind from the AHL ranks and give him a chance to grow with the team. Hiscocks methods may work to a point but his tactics seem to erode very quickly where-ever he goes. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2011 : 20:48:03
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Hitch does make a lot of sense in TO but can he and Burke co-exist. Hitch is known to be a control freak as is Burke. Not saying Wilson isn't, but Hitch is apparently uber controlling. Not sure if that relationship will work.
However, if there is a guy out there to get Phaneuf back to form and take a guy like Schenn and make him into a top shutdown guy, it's Hitchcock. And he's not too bad offensively either. Look back on those Philly teams and Dallas team and they could score too. However, Hitch's chops come down to protecting a lead. Few can manage the game better with a 1 goal advantage.
Slozo, I think you are a little off with your contend for a playoff spot this year, but Hitch there in the summer will all but assure a few playoff games in TO in spring 2012. |
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Mario 66
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
360 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2011 : 11:07:40
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I went other and chose a guy that has disappeared off of everyone's radar Guy Carbonneau. The leafs have many holes in their current lineup and they are not likely to clear those issues any time soon. Their most glaring would be their special teams play & goaltending. Obviously, goaltending is going to require a solid goalie but a guy like Carbonneau who was a pk specialist during his playing days & did a solid job in Montreal could surely bolster their special teams and overall team play. Especially defensively. Not to mention he would garner the respect of the room immediately. Not sure how some of the hardcore leaf fans would take having a former hab and french canadian behind their bench.
(Realize that Pat Burns coached the habs prior to Toronto) but it may be a little different with a former player.
Also, like the suggestion of Hitchcock
Lemieux owns Gretzky |
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Guest4178
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Posted - 02/01/2011 : 12:46:19
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To answer the original question, I think Ron Wilson's job is safe for at least the balance of the season. I think Brian Burke likes the guy. And despite what anyone else thinks of Wilson, including players who recently responded to the NHLPA poll, which showed Ron Wilson the least favourite coach in the NHL. (I wonder how many of Wilson's own players, or players who played for him in the past, responded?)
Here's what Burke had to say in mid-January about his head coach. "Ron Wilson's job is as safe as the gold in the treasury at Fort Knox."
I know GM's have given assurances before, and fired coaches thereafter, but I think Burke is committed to Wilson, and the rebuild effort which is taking place in Toronto. |
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Leafs81
PickupHockey Pro
735 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2011 : 13:07:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest4178
To answer the original question, I think Ron Wilson's job is safe for at least the balance of the season. I think Brian Burke likes the guy. And despite what anyone else thinks of Wilson, including players who recently responded to the NHLPA poll, which showed Ron Wilson the least favourite coach in the NHL. (I wonder how many of Wilson's own players, or players who played for him in the past, responded?)
Here's what Burke had to say in mid-January about his head coach. "Ron Wilson's job is as safe as the gold in the treasury at Fort Knox."
I know GM's have given assurances before, and fired coaches thereafter, but I think Burke is committed to Wilson, and the rebuild effort which is taking place in Toronto.
I agree with you Burke's biggest mistake is to be so stubburn and not firing Ron Wilson.
If he feels Wilson is the guy for a rebuild then Burke should be fired too. |
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Ron Wilson - Least Favourite Coach 
