"It took us five years to get to the point we got to in San Jose, with the success we had. We...

"It took us five years to get to the point we got to in San Jose, with the success we had. We developed a lot of young players and that takes time.

You don’t become the second-place team in the NHL overnight. The same thing’s going to happen here – it’s not going to happen overnight. You’re not going to use the same systems everywhere you go because the personnel’s different, but the philosophy’s the same: aggressive hockey, aggressive fore-checking, puck possession and in-your-face hockey.

The Globe and Mail's James Mirtle talks to Ron Wilson's lieutenant Tim Hunter about the coaching staff's adherence to their message and the necessity of patience.

over 2 years ago PPP 13 comments 0 recs |

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Though my opinions about Ron Wilson wavers from time to time, I really like Tim Hunter. I think he’s a very solid coach and would hate to lose him if Wilson actually did get fired (I hope not in any case).

Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell

by bkblades on Nov 25, 2009 1:34 AM EST reply actions

Fun question

What would you guys do if Burke said “I fucked up and were totally going into re build mode”?

by Icion on Nov 25, 2009 4:17 AM EST reply actions

Fun?

-Graham-

by CanadianMaple09 on Nov 25, 2009 4:51 AM EST up reply actions

First

That question is not fun.

Second, from what I can tell about Burke, he would never admit he fucked up – especially since it’s his job to see the bigger picture and get us to be competitive over time, not just a 1 year turnaround. In a GMs position, you can rationalize the fuck out of anything in the short-term.

Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.

by nhlcheapshot on Nov 25, 2009 5:58 AM EST up reply actions

Burke has only had one summer to overhaul the team. He started said summer with four goals; add an elite scorer, add toughness , add depth and leadership on the blueline, and add goaltending.

Kessel, Beauchemin, Komisarek, Orr, Gustavsson. He hit all his targets.

Say what you will about the performance of the team on the ice (and Lord knows we have), but if you look at the players that have struggled, it’s almost all holdovers from the JFJ/Maurice error who don’t fit into our long-term plans, or young kids who are struggling with sophomore slumps and consistency (not exactly unheard of).

Long-term the plan is exacty the same as it was in October.

Resident Capologist

by clrkaitken on Nov 25, 2009 8:05 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Reason I asked

I was being a smart ass and simply pointing out you guys are rebuilding, you just aren’t admitting it. You may not be doing it through draft picks and will more than likely make big plays in the FA market this summer but if you contend 3 years from now there will probably be 1/4 of the players on that team that you have right now.

by Icion on Nov 25, 2009 7:16 PM EST up reply actions

This

calms my troubled soul

by theothervatican on Nov 25, 2009 8:53 AM EST reply actions

I feel better as well

Thanks, Midol!

Tanking by accident?

by Haeyena on Nov 25, 2009 10:19 AM EST reply actions

Patience is hard. Yet it’s what we must have during these dark times.

leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.

by stucky on Nov 25, 2009 10:33 AM EST reply actions

Ya, ya, ya, ya.

Patience, huh? How long’s that gonna take? :)

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Nov 25, 2009 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

It's not all about the W's ..

Let’s look at the reality.. The Leafs of the last few years sucked ..

This year’s team has competed hard on a nightly basis (give or take about 3-4 games), but they have yet to see strong results. They are going in the right direction. Could it be better – sure — but it is what it is.

What’s let the Leafs down the most has been their OT & Shootout record. If they win those games they are in the middle of the pack

by hallandnash on Nov 25, 2009 10:52 AM EST reply actions