Do We Risk Change?
Let’s face it, with how inconsistent this team has been over the course of this year (and the last 2), we can basically be assured that Ron Wilson will not be the coach of the future for the Toronto Maple Leafs. His “systems” make for some exciting hockey, but the run n’ gun offense will not survive in today’s NHL. Players these days have far too much skill and a goalie cannot be expected to stop odd man rush, after point blank shot, after breakaway, on a nightly basis. His system relies on speed, and puck movement, which is very tough to keep up consistently. To be maintainable, the players need adequate rest and recovery time, because if they show up gassed, the game is as good as lost (as we have seen too often this year). Even if we somehow make it to the playoffs, the intensity and frequency of the games will not allow us to make it out of the first round. So what do we do?
As I have already stated, Wilson needs to go. He refuses to change the system, and the system doesn’t work. Stubbornness is fine, when the product produces. His doesn’t, end of story.
Should Toronto be buyers or sellers come deadline day?
Most Leafs’ fans are getting excited with the possibility of a playoff berth for the first time since the lock-out, and who can really blame them? While I think it is Burke’s intention for the team to make it to the post-season this year, I have also heard the GM mention on several occasions that the cup is his primary target, and a first-round exit is not his goal.
With this in mind, I bring up the idea of whether the Leafs should be sellers or buyers come trade deadline? While you can make a strong case for both at this point, I myself am leaning towards seller. I understand the pain of ‘giving up on the season’ but that scenario may be the best for the Leafs in the long run. Here are my reasons for considering it:
Game Day! +Rumors
Pregame:
Toronto is about to step into HSBC Arena for the 2nd time this week. There is no doubt in my mind that Buffalo is going to be craving for a win against the Leafs considering the recent slide they have seen in the standings and the fact that the team they used to be able to write off as a win in their schedule, has finally started showing up to play.
Buffalo is an interesting team to look at, as a Toronto fan. With the new owner, the pressure to win has intensified to the level of all other NHL franchises that spend to the cap. The fans are getting irritable with their lack of success, considering that with more cap space last year, they produced similar results to this point in the season.
I predict much of the same from this team as we have seen from the Leafs over the past 10 years (until recently). Money will be spent to the max each year, and the prospects will start flowing out of the system for players that can help now.
LEAFS game leaves me thinKING(S)
Last nights match, although tough to bear at some points, was one of the more entertaining games I have seen from the Leafs in a while. There were a lot of positives coming out of the game, but the negatives were the same as they have been for the last few years.
I prefer ending on a good note, so let’s start with the bad:
1) Not my biggest beef with the team, but those extra points will kill us in the long run. No goals in 3 shots in the shootout, maybe they need to spend a little bit more time in practice honing the skill.
2) More stupid penalties. For a team with the worst ranked PK in the league, you would assume that they would understand the fact that taking a penalty drastically reduces their chances of winning every game. Luckily, we only had 5… (sigh)
3) Our PK started out the game on fire for once. It was exactly how I would have pictured it at the start, but then a bad penalty by Phaneuf brought in a 4-on-3 that prevented us from applying pressure the same way. A quick goal, and our PK reverted back to the indecisive coverage (somewhere in between a pressure system and a collapsing one)
Where Have You Been All My Life!???
I have been watching the leafs for 12 years now (the better part of my life) and I can honestly say, without any doubt in my mind, that a group of hockey players must have kidnapped the Leafs, stolen their jerseys, and played out the entire first period of Toronto’s 3-2 win over the Rags, before letting the real Leafs back on the ice in the 2nd. There is no other explanation for it.
I have never in my life seen such play by the Leafs to this day. Constant pressure, perfect cycling, heads up playmaking, driving to the net, well placed shots, outstanding goaltending, smart match-ups, key face-off wins, winning battles, proper positioning, well-placed outlet passes, and the list goes on. It was an entirely different team. As quickly as it came, it left, as the 2nd period was a team that played back at the level I have been used to for a while. However, I want to focus on the positive here. What was it that made this team play the way they did? Steroids in the water bottles was my first thought, but then saner thoughts prevailed.
The answer? Dadda. The father-son road trip (I believe) was the cause of this effort. While all fathers were present for the 4-1 loss to the Bruins on Saturday, the Bruins were clearly the better team and did not give the Leafs a chance to play the game they wish they had played. All the more reason to step it up more at the very next opportunity; the opportunity at Madison Square Garden.
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