Wilson rips Kessel, media in rant at Maple Leafs' Practice
Wilson ripped into the team with reporters looking on, complaining about the squad's general ineffectiveness and singling out Phil Kessel in particular.
"You have one (expletive) goal in your last 10 games," Wilson said to Kessel.
"Actually at the end of the day, you guys shouldn't even watch us practice," Wilson said to the assembled scrum on Thursday. "This is the only sport where the media will report what you said to a player on the field of battle. You can't do it in football, baseball or basketball. How many basketball practices have you ever been to? None.
"This is our office and it should be off-limits."
about 2 years ago
nhlcheapshot
125 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Good
I’m glad wilson is tearing the team a new one and I agree, what the fuck does the media need to be in practice for?
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
Well I am pretty certain I have seen people reporting from Raptors practices before…
that being said its magnified because its hockey in Toronto.
Life as a Toronto Sports Fan?... *sigh*... It is what it is...
they do
but it’s a completely different tone and atmosphere when you watch the media reports/interviews at Raptor practices
it’s substantially more relaxed and light-hearted
Welcome to the spotlight that is Toronto, Kessel
Hope ya can handle it!
Hat trick on Miller should help make up for a bit.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
Ronny's got a point though
the team gave up 3 future draft picks for this guy, 1 goal in 10 games doesn’t cut it, period
Definitely needed, sometimes a coach needs to rip into a team in order to get them going. And it is often effective though not necessarily fair to go after the star player to do so. Hopefully Kessel can handle it well.
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
Three thoughts:
1) The schedule is terrible right now, and I think Phil’s wearing down. If we could ever get him an extended rest (like say, I don’t know, over the Olympics…) he’d be nice and fresh for the run-in
2) Didn’t we say before the season that anything more than 20 goals out of Kessel this year would be gravy? He’s already at what? 13? 14? I want him to get back on track, but I’m not gonna start slitting my wrists if he doesn’t score 13 in 21 games again this year.
3) If Howard Berger had any stones at all, at the next practice when the team had gone a lengthy period without working on PK, he’d scream “YOu have the last place PK in the (expletive) league, Ron!”
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - only $2,010,695 to go!
It would be nice if, with the unfettered access to practices and their depth of hockey knowledge, a reporter might explain why the Leafs’ PK is so shitty.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jan 7, 2010 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
It’s because all of the players are bad and because Ron Wilson is stupid, duh.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
At what point does RW become a bad coach?
I mean, why stubbornly stick with a system that isn’t working? Your PK is dead last. OK, great. Maybe your guys are shite at your system and they will continue to fail to apply it properly.
Find a system that works. Period.
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Jan 7, 2010 4:11 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
a donkey will never win the Kentucky derby, no matter who the jockey is
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Jan 7, 2010 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
Given that defenceman can’t really knock screening forwards on their ass anymore, they all try and block the shots now. (and this is league-wide, not just the Leafs.)
My question; wouldn’t it make more sense to go to a diamond formation now?
Three guys disrupting passing and shooting lanes up high, the two guys in the middle can collapse down lower if the PP works out of the corner, one anchor in front of the net clearing garbage so the goalie can see?
Wouldn’t this work?
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - only $2,010,695 to go!
Or could we at least try? ‘Cause whatever we do now isn’t working.
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - only $2,010,695 to go!
It looks to me like the Leafs do use a diamond formation sometimes whether by design or accident I can’t tell but if the guys down low don’t tie up sticks and clear the front of the net it’s useless.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jan 7, 2010 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
Ponikarovsky blocking that shot on Tuesday against Florida was the first time all season that I have seen a Leafs forward drop down to the ice to block a shot. No effort = no playoffs.
Dropping down to block a shot isn’t necessarily effort.
Doing that takes yourself out of the play. It looks flashy, fans equate it with grit, but it’s not always the right play.
Now, the Leafs do need to work on getting more shins and sticks in front of shots.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jan 7, 2010 4:26 PM EST up reply actions
Jason Blake is 6th in the league for shots blocked by a forward.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 7, 2010 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
The Leafs are good at blocking shots. I bet if you looked at it closely the numbers would bear it out.
The positioning is more of a problem and the sticks in passing lanes.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jan 7, 2010 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
wait
no he’s not, I have to learn how to read the stats on NHL.com
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 7, 2010 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
you must have been reading the most shots at a goaltender’s chest stat, but I guess he would be 1st in the league in that case
it was
sorted by games played, and then i guess he was that high because it went alphabetically
the Leafs have no players in the top 30 of shots blocked, although I’d say part of that is because Komisarek has been injured, and Finger benched.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 7, 2010 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
Ponikarovsky
is our highest forward, at #33.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 7, 2010 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
Mirtle had a great article up last year arguing that shot blocking negatively correlated with a team’s overall record.
by Grabovski's better than you think on Jan 7, 2010 4:40 PM EST up reply actions
Yes
It means that you don’t have the puck and it’s in your zone a lot.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jan 7, 2010 4:49 PM EST up reply actions
I didn’t watch last night but in the Florida game both goals went in because there were at least two Leafs between Gustavsson and the shooter and neither got in front of the puck.
The Leafs are blocking shots like gangbusters but they’re also screening the shit out of our goalies. I’d rather they give point shooters an open lane and disrupt plays that would make the goalie move.
A competent goalie will stop unscreened untipped point shots all night long.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
perhaps they’re confused about what to do with Gustavsson in net because they aren’t used to having a competant goalie?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 7, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
Not that I have any idea how to fix this team but I’d honestly waive Toskala and tell him not to report to the Marlies; first as an example that guys aren’t here to play out contracts, second because he makes fixing things impossible.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Giguere in Anaheim said the exact same thing once. Paraphrasing but basically, he’d rather see the shot all the way than have a teammate screening him in an attempt to block it. Stopping shots was his (Giguere’s) job.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Jan 7, 2010 4:49 PM EST up reply actions
As a goalie I always told my d “let them shoot from the point just cut off passes that make me move post to post.”
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
in Vesa-speak
“Let them shoot from t he point just cut off any shots that go glove hand… or five hole… or that don’t miss the net”
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 7, 2010 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
Not the amount of shots you block, it’s where they come from.
Also, blocking a shot that would have been an easy save backfires a lot because now your player is down and the opposition usually recovers the puck and repositions.
"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jan 7, 2010 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
Also if you want a whistle in the defensive zone on the PK the easiest way to get it is to let your goalie see a puck for sixty feet.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Except that the ankles and shins are the skinniest part of the body in terms of blocking shots. If they are going to let themselves be pulled out of position, then they need to give up the body.
Schenn “gave up the body” to break up a 2 on 1 last night. How’d that work?
Seriously. There’s too many ways it doesn’t work; it’s a high-risk, low-reward play.
They are better off keeping active sticks in the passing lanes, and getting out quick in the shooting lanes
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - only $2,010,695 to go!
I’m talking about point play. But usually, dropping down on a 2-on-1 isn’t a bad play if you’re trying to take away a pass.
As a D-man for 20 years, no it’s not.
You completely take yourself out of the play, and if the forward is alert, he’ll step around you like Carcillo did last night.
You basically need to have perfect timing to lay out and block it, or else you leave your goalie out to dry.
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - only $2,010,695 to go!
Well, I’ve played hockey for a long time and used it many, many times to defend a 2-on-1. Regardless, when you play a collapsing style of defense, the forwards are responsible for blocking shots. If they can’t do it with their sticks or legs, they need to start laying the body down to do it.
In general and especially on the PK, a lot of Leafs prefer the flamingo
by Grabovski's better than you think on Jan 7, 2010 4:42 PM EST up reply actions
Active sticks!! Yes!
I don’t know why it’s such a difficult thing to get a bunch of grown men to wave their sticks really quickly. How is it possible that none of them already do this?? It drives me insane.
I’d call it more of a passive box, because they don’t really get out and attack on the boards too much.
The problem is, that sort of system typically only works if your PKers have very active sticks in shooting lanes, if the goaltender smothers everything, and the D clear everyone from the front of the net.
Monster has a tendency to give out rebounds, they don’t do nearly a good enough job disrupting passing lanes, and Wilson’s stupid “2 hands on the stick” thing pretty much ensures the D aren’t in position to clear the puck and/or knocking the forward down.
End result; four blue pylons and a 30th place PK
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - only $2,010,695 to go!
I think the problem with that is that if you move the puck well enough from point to down low you get a sick cross-ice back-door play. The key is to pressure the power play and don’t give them time to comfortably set up such a play.
But hey, it might work better than what they are doing now!
by Leaf in Habland on Jan 7, 2010 11:05 PM EST up reply actions
About ten games ago
When your starting goalie is Toskalol, his backup is a talented kid with heart problems and zero NHL or even North American experience, and Joey Joe Joe is the third, that excuses the first twenty games. Well, partly.
But compare the team to last year: better talent, but less effort and less focus. Last year the Leafs sucked, but they tried hard every night. and were more fun to watch than any Leafs team since the lockout. Not this year.
Yeah, last year’s Leafs looked like they were trying really hard. This year’s Leafs look like they suck.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
They still try really hard. Just never for consecutive periods.
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Jan 7, 2010 4:58 PM EST up reply actions
“He works really hard.”
“So do washing machines.”
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
No argument here. When you’re being paid millions, “trying really hard” is literally the least you can do.
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Jan 7, 2010 5:07 PM EST up reply actions
“Are you from Ontario, between 18 and 35 and a good hockey player? We’re going to be forming pick up teams to play instead of the Leafs. Score a goal and you get to come back the next game.”
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
“If you can catch a puck, you can be our new backup.”
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Jan 7, 2010 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
“If you don’t duck when a shot is coming, you can be our new backup”
"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jan 7, 2010 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
“Beat up Andre Deveaux and win a free Burkie’s Dog”
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
“Got Skates? Congrats, and welcome to the Toronto Maple Leafs organization!”
Brain: The irony of it all, Pinky. Years of trying to take over the world, and all I had to do was say "truculence".
Follow me I'm Boring!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jan 7, 2010 5:21 PM EST up reply actions
“Announcing the Ontario Hospital For the Criminally Insane’s Masochist Penalty Kill”
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
“If you know how to play NHL 10 you can be our new PK coach.”
“No Keith Acton, Blades of Steel does not count.”
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Jan 7, 2010 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
“If you’ve stopped at least one puck at that Goalie Shootout game at the Hockey Hall of Fame, you’re our new goalie.”
"Luke Schenn is Stronger than Strength."
Truculence is Everything: Vote for the Leaf of the Decade Today.
Check me out on Twitter, too.
also they need to try harder as a team, not just focus on individual efforts.
I think there are some serious trust issues on this team – especially since no one (except for the guys Burke signed – and Blake) has any idea if they are going to be on this team come the trade deadline or next season.
Not an excuse, but something that seriously needs to be worked on.
"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jan 7, 2010 5:04 PM EST up reply actions
Wow... Wilson is cranky.
And he’s way off base with the “Who ever comes to practice?” crap.
You know who goes to NFL practices 3 days a week for pretty much ever team in the league? About the same number of people who attend your average Leaf practice.
Same goes for the NBA for teams like the Knicks and Lakers.
That’s bullshit, RW, and you know it.
This is exactly what he knew he’d be getting into by coming here, he’s just pissed off because the team is playing like absolute shit.
So Handsome.
yeah
he likes to deflect anger towards the media, I can’t say I mind it.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 7, 2010 4:28 PM EST up reply actions
Meh
Like when you get caught cheating “Deny until you die”.
Ronnie’s deflecting attention from his team.
I will say that I wonder if as much gets reported about what is said at those practices. You do hear about scraps at NFL practices but not necessarily always what is said. Harder to find quiet space on the ice.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jan 7, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
So does Kessel do the “White boy from Wisconsin” version of the “Practise” rant?
Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 7, 2010 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
Are we tacking about practice? Because I just wanna play hackey!
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
Practice? Donchaknow it’s about the game? The game ’a hackey?
I'll roll up on you smooth and punch you in the jeans
we talkin’ ‘bout practice, man. Not the game! Not the hackey game. Not the hackey game I love and die for all the time. We talkin’ bout practice.
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Jan 7, 2010 6:23 PM EST up reply actions
good talk
kessel is and always will be great. he just isn’t the type of player to be the one to carry a weak team. period. sniper. deadly speed. great passer (one pass a game only) but never will be the go to pick up the team come on boys get on my back guy. no successful team has just one guy with any semblance of skill and can go deep into the playoffs. and lets face it, we have nobody. nobody. he’s alone and that brings out the worst in him. he is all alone. an easy target and not entirley faultless because this cold streak of his is reaching a new level. but jesus fuck brian get us some support and if jason blake is back next year i am going to kill him myself so he isn’t.
"Dad why are you crying?"
by my son has a choice on Jan 7, 2010 6:45 PM EST reply actions
…if jason blake is back next year i am going to kill him myself so he isn’t.
If you need any assistance, please just ask. I’ll do anything in my power.
My art portfolio: www.ArtWanted.com/canadianmaple09
by CanadianMaple09 on Jan 7, 2010 7:13 PM EST up reply actions
"kessel.... he just isn’t the type of player to be the one to carry a weak team. period."
I dont know many 22 year olds that you can say that about. Its not like its common for a 22 year old to carry a team, or am I wrong?
"There's been four different Cup winners the last four years, and I got one of them (Anaheim) and it was a fighting team. We're playing it that way regardless." - B. Burke, Toronto Maple Leafs GM
hah
no you’re not wrong. What 22 year olds can carry the team? Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin… you’re hard pressed to find any others.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 7, 2010 8:39 PM EST up reply actions
well yes, thats all good and well, but how can we expect people with no common sense to realize this?
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Jan 7, 2010 8:57 PM EST up reply actions
Doesn’t the fact that Crosby and Malkin play on the same team cancel out some of their ability to “Carry a team”?
And Ovechkin has Backstrom, Semin, Green…
That’s some real tough carrying those guys are doing.
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - only $2,010,695 to go!
kind've
but they’ve both been injured at times and shown that individually they can carry the team…
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 7, 2010 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
The life span of hamster is two to three years.
Yes!!!
"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jan 7, 2010 7:37 PM EST reply actions
Reply fail!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOO!
"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jan 7, 2010 7:37 PM EST up reply actions
HAW HAW
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Jan 7, 2010 7:40 PM EST up reply actions
I wish someone would rip Wilson a new one. He’s performing as badly as his players. It’d be nice to see how he handles it.
Proudly supporting Tank Nation in 2008-2009.
We all know how that worked out...
Is it bad that I want Burke to make a move (call up, minor trade, whatever) just so people shut the fuck up about him not making a move?
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
yes
i think. desperation is not good for anyone.
make a move because you think it moves you closer to a Cup, sooner. Not because you don’t want to give up a lottery pick, or you have to read doubt in the paper every day
exactly, I’m all for any move that makes the team better, or at the very least has the potential for the team to be better (the Tlusty trade for instance) if a player is in toronto, not part of the future and eating up cap space and a contract, ship him out if the right price comes up
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Jan 7, 2010 8:28 PM EST up reply actions
who?
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Jan 7, 2010 11:34 PM EST up reply actions
Who the fuck
is Tim Brent? Is he some sort of imaginary hockey player the Leafs have signed?
"Luke Schenn is Stronger than Strength."
Truculence is Everything: Vote for the Leaf of the Decade Today.
Check me out on Twitter, too.
by Marc Pilgrim on Jan 8, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
he's got a point about practices
I would feel the same way. Other sports have practice reporting, but it’s strictly controlled by the teams, many times the practices are closed.
Brad Stowe
Maple Leafs Hot Stove
by RepressedOptimism on Jan 7, 2010 8:20 PM EST reply actions
via the fraud, so if you hear it you know its BS
There is a chance that Theadore and prospects could go to toronto for Kaberle
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
as in Jose Theodore?
Unless there’s 2 first round picks and Alzner… no thank you.
Brad Stowe
Maple Leafs Hot Stove
by RepressedOptimism on Jan 7, 2010 8:38 PM EST up reply actions
are we giving them Toskala, too?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 7, 2010 8:39 PM EST up reply actions
Toskala is a non-factor at this point, what with his contract expiring…
JFJ is scouting for the Sharks right? Maybe swing a deal with him for some balloons.
Brad Stowe
Maple Leafs Hot Stove
by RepressedOptimism on Jan 7, 2010 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
well both toskala and Theadore are UFAs so its probably a swap with the caps getting an extra half mil in space
I still say no unless there is a first and a solid prospect coming back
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Jan 7, 2010 8:58 PM EST up reply actions
that might set some sort of record
for being an expensive trade that serves no purpose for either team.
Washington needs a puck-moving defenseman? Did Mike Green die?
Toronto needs a fading big money goalie? Did Toskala die?
Did Toskala die?
/crosses fingers!
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jan 8, 2010 9:08 AM EST up reply actions
i'm confused
so he said this TO Kessel? Like, as he was walking by, only the media was around and scrumming him?
This is one of those cases when a video explains it so much better.
That said, I don’t really see Kessel getting pissed at this. I mean, he’s a shooter. And a puck hog. He likes to score. He’s trying to score. He’s not dogging it on his shooting attempts.
If he was getting yelled at for not checking, or blocking shots, or chasing down icings, then I could see him toning it out. But a coach telling him he needs to score more goals? I’m thinking he’s thinking “hells yeah”
15 shots tomorrow
im guessing it was cherry picked in the daily “rip up” they had at the start or end of the practice when wilson calls out his players on what they need to work on, i had a few coaches that did it all the time.
I doubt he just called kessel out on the ice or was chirping him in the hall or something
Wilson is an asshole but i bet it was ment as constructive criticism than just bitching
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Jan 7, 2010 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
My only qualm with R.W calling out Kessel is the fucking guy had Wallin centering the top unit against Philly.
This guy boggles the fucking mind with his line juggling, his grudges, and his post game tirades. They tired of it in San Jose, and we’ll tire of it here as well, only question is when, and will Burke know when to pull the plug on his old friend.
Don’t care how many wins the guy has as a coach, chances are you’ll get 500 wins when you coach 10000 games. Check out his playoff record.
Leaf related ulcers, 34 years strong, and growing.
by Halifax Hockey Hooligan on Jan 8, 2010 9:50 AM EST reply actions
yeah, its not like he lead a team to the stanly cup finals or anything……
And I mean the Sharks problems went away after he was fired….
the fact remains that Walin was (pathetically) the Leafs best center last game. So he got ice time with the Leafs best winger.
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Jan 8, 2010 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
Walin was (pathetically) the Leafs best center last game
/facepalm
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jan 8, 2010 12:14 PM EST up reply actions
They tired of it in San Jose, and we’ll tire of it here as well, only question is when, and will Burke know when to pull the plug on his old friend.
There will be enough player turnover to keep it fresh for at least one more year. Once the Leafs actually have a good team it’ll start to grate which is when it did in SJ. That’s when the Leafs will have to find their Dan Bylsma.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Back in 96-97 Jared, games changed a great deal since then.
When your pk is dead last for 2 years, and you fall behind 2-0 in 22 games, and 1-0 in 30 plus that’s a clear indication that this guy isn’t getting through.
I hate to agree with Damien Cox saying that when Wilson is winning it’s all about him, but when he’s losing, it’s all about the players, but that’s him in a nutshell.
Leaf related ulcers, 34 years strong, and growing.
by Halifax Hockey Hooligan on Jan 8, 2010 11:06 AM EST reply actions
well you said check his playoff record. I did.
Yes a lot has changed since then, but he also coached some DAMNED good Sharks teams, and they are the ones that floundered in the post season, they also continued to do so after he was fired.
I never said Wilsons system was working in toronto, it clearly isnt. but you don’t rip on the mans career when it has been that good.
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Jan 8, 2010 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
Meh. Guy’s an asshole, you won’t hear me defend him, regardless of his playoff merits. Which are average at best, considering some of the teams he’s had.
We’ll have to agree to disagree Jared.
Buffalo up tonight, certainly doesn’t get any easier. Pens tomorrow, fack!
Leaf related ulcers, 34 years strong, and growing.
by Halifax Hockey Hooligan on Jan 8, 2010 11:33 AM EST reply actions
reply -----------------------------------------------------------------↑
is your friend
As far as Wilson goes, if I were him, and saw the roster I had to work with, yet still heard people talk about playoffs, i’d be a bit pissed off as well. If I had a guy like Kessel on my team, who started off hot, and has begun to fade, I’d be pissed off. If I knew Kessel was only a 22 year old pro and wanted to see him grow to that next level, becoming the kind of player who can take over a game at will, but didn’t see Kessel trying to do that, I’d be pissed.
If you think for one second a team led by Matt Stajan is getting a sniff of the playoffs, then I’m not at all surprised by your vitriol. I’ve noticed that the folks who hate Wilson the most, are the same ones who think the Leafs are somehow a good team, when they are quite obviously not. That’s due to a hodgepodge of spare parts and over their head hockey players.
As someone pointed out, one guy doesn’t “carry” a team. Ovechkin has Semin and Backstrom. Crosby has Malkin, Kunitz and Staal. The Sedins have Kesler, Bernier and Burrows. Kessel has Stajan (and yes, it’s been neat to death, he’s a “1st line center” but I’d still rather have a Bernier or Burrows over him,) and Poni. Even a moderate upgrade with his linemates could make a world of difference for the team.
Wilson is trying to do two things: push the player to grow and possibly realize even more untapped potential, and to accept the responsibility given him. He’s expected to score goals and put up points. He’s not expected to win the games. The problem is, Kessel hasn’t been doing anything. Is he tired? Probably. Is that an excuse? Sure sounds like one. Would you accept it from a player now on his 4th year of being a pro? Probably not.
Maybe this needs to be made into a neon sign, because it feels like it’s been said a million times more than need be, but here goes:
…this year.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Jan 8, 2010 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
blurr, I am on the ‘20th place or bust’ train right now… you want to join?
BTW for statistical reasons, 20th place in the league is something like 9th in the east, so it’s not an easy task.
Something to shoot for, tho.
"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jan 8, 2010 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Evan Trupp scores behind the net goal, stuns Las Vegas in ECHL (Video)
- Saturday’s Three Stars: Another Malkin 5-spot; Price spoils Sundin night
- The Chicago Blackhawks’ losing streak is bad for everybody
- According to NHL, here’s why Dominic Moore escaped suspension for Fedotenko hit
- How Mats Sundin’s no-trade clause controversy made fans reconsider loyalty in NHL
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- WHL Roundup: A look at Saturday's games
- Shinnimin scores twice and adds assist as Americans beat Chiefs 5-3
- Reid with three goals and an assist as Winterhawks beat Thunderbirds 7-2
- Willick scores twice, including winner, as the Blazers beat the Rockets 3-2
- Simpson 41 saves, earning the game`s first star, as Silvertips beat Giants 4-2
SBNation.com Recent Stories
StatCounter
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
