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From The Branches - Maurice Fired

Thanks to Eyebeleaf for the heads up on the news that Paul Maurice has been canned. It is certainly no surprise to Leaf fans as the new GM will want to name his own coach. However, beyond that there were his struggles with timeouts, his poorly planned matchups, his hatred of backup goalies, his irrational use of the Wizard of Woz, and his lack of coaching ability.

Not that any of these were not mentioned in January. Better late than never I guess. Dave Feschuk is probably popping champagne right now.

Update: Via Jes at Hockey Rants here are the Acid Queen's thoughts.

He’s a decent coach ... in the AHL. Nice guy, too–but as an NHL coach I really don’t think he’s up to snuff. Coaches have to be developed too, just like players, and Mo’s development as a coach was severely hampered by his being thrown right into the fire all those years ago in Hartford after a whopping six weeks and change as an assistant coach under Paul Holmgren (who now GMs the Pflyers). If he wants to salvage any kind of career at all, he needs to go back to the AHL or just be an assistant somewhere for a few years and learn how to do more than the same old crap he did for 8 years in Carolina and 2 years in Toronto.

  • Sean's optimism week is a trick! Those were all thinly veiled swipes at the team. Plus, he forgot JFJ's generosity in leaving for TSN in February so that the Leafs could have a few more months in which to do nothing about their vacant GM position. What a guy.

  • Loser Domi documents Sean Avery's internship at Vogue.

  • No agent for Tavares? Considering that Ovechkin did pretty well by himself and that most of the rookie contracts are standard for future Wayne Gretzkys I don't see why he would need one. Oh and his mom is going to be his agent? That's a great move because the last Oshawa General superstar that had his family handle his affairs ended up with a smooth career.

  • The Brunnstrom Sweepstakes end tomorrow. Then we can begin the long process of hearing about this move for decades as one of the stupidest moves in franchise history regardless of what happens.

  • Dr. Mirtle looks at the ref's inconsistencies in the playoffs. The next awesome step would be to highlight it by referee so that we could quantify just how terrible Koharski, Devorski, McGeough, et al really are at their jobs. No need to do Kerry Fraser of course.

  • Steve takes a look at some interesting free agents that might interest the Leafs. Hagman and Vrbata are two that should draw serious consideration from the team. Perry would cost picks, Malone is overrated, and Avery is the devil.

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Comments

Display:

New Coach

I nominate Chef Gordon Ramsey of Hell's Kitchen fame for Head Coach.

He'll whip these guys into shape.

by Evening News Team on May 7, 2008 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions  

Next Coach?

Gordon Ramsay is a great idea for an assistant but what about a head coach?

Also, looks like Keith Acton hasn't been canned which is, frankly, shocking.

Finally, could the timing of the move mean that a new GM is close to being in place?

by PPP on May 7, 2008 12:03 PM EDT reply actions  

Maybe

"Major" news conference at 3:00pm today.

New GM?  Brunnstrom?  What we already know?

by Evening News Team on May 7, 2008 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Announcements

I wonder if they'll label canning Maurice as major.

This could be a huge day! Thankfully it's on a work day ;)

by PPP on May 7, 2008 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

a propos of nothing...

I found this article online: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3382223

At first I was kinda ticked that they had the gall to lump NBA with NHL in a discussion of toughness (oh please...no contest), but then I saw this last paragraph, under "wimps":

Carlo Coliacavo: "Legitimately injured early on in his career but this past season you could see him winceing on every hit, calling the trainer over, but getting back in the game 10 minutes later like nothing happened. His teammates had to wonder if some of it was in his head."

I'll let you  make of that what you will

by loser domi on May 7, 2008 12:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Ridiculous

The pain threshold for an NBA player at the most physical matches what it takes to block a shot in the NHL.

There are no such things are warriors in basketball or baseball.

I believe the Carlo comment. I thought he was out of at least 3 games down the stretch and he'd come back fine. I think there is definitely some mental aspect.

by PPP on May 7, 2008 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Carlo?

Surprised Carlo was mentioned, and not Wellwood. That guy is just a big floating pile of tissue paper. I see him peel away from finishing checks, and practically hand the puck over in lieu of getting hit.

Also, there are plenty of tough NBA players.. It's a whole different game, but the elbows flying everywhere and being expected to plant your feet while some crazed 280lb power forward comes crashing down the lane so you can take a charge.. that takes guts. Maybe not like lying in front of a slapshot, but don't lump em in with baseball!

Although I think the tough crackdown on fighting in the NBA was mostly because the guys look so ridiculous with their slapfight type antics..

As for the coach situation, I'm sure by september MLSE will have no GM lined up yet either so there will be a last minute coach scramble and they end up getting one of the equipment managers to man the bench for a bit.. heh

by LeafFanInVan on May 7, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

NBA

True, it's miles tougher than baseball but not even close to hockey. They should have compared it to lacrosse.

The slap fights are classic.

I wouldn't be shocked if Greg Gilbert was the interim coach if things get that bad but this gives me hope that the process is speeding up.

by PPP on May 7, 2008 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

Toughness

When discussing toughness in the NBA, all you have to do is look at Dwayne Wade separating his shoulder and getting taken off the court in a wheel chair.  A wheel chair for a separated shoulder?  Are you kidding me?  That was hilarious.

by Evening News Team on May 7, 2008 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

Dwayne

DW gets a free pass because of his Tmobile ads with Sir Charles.. Those crack me up.

Now Charles, that dude was a warrior, no doubt.

by LeafFanInVan on May 7, 2008 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

Good, now
the way is paved for hiring Bobby Clarke as GM so that he can hire Pat Burns as coach, and we can follow our team next May!  Tha is of course if Clarke buys out Blake, cuts Wellwood and White, and trades Tucker and Tlusty for Ryan Malone.

by penaltyshotsca on May 7, 2008 12:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Malone

Isn't Malone a UFA?

Down Goes Brown - Because it's technically possible that things may get better before we all die. http://www.downgoesbrown.com/

by Down Goes Brown on May 7, 2008 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yup

UFA but he'll get overpaid by someone else I hope.

by PPP on May 7, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

Nonis?

Ught, tsn is reporting the leafs would like to talk to Nonis for a management job..

No, just.. no.

by LeafFanInVan on May 7, 2008 4:35 PM EDT reply actions  

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Oh Dear God

Uncle Cliff! Don't go gently into the dark night in favour or Nonis.

by PPP on May 7, 2008 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

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