Dear Ron Wilson,

 I along with most Leaf fans today feel your pain. Our team is not performing and it is frustrating as can be for fans, as well (I’m sure) for players and the coaches. You may feel that you are being unfairly blamed, as has been your feeling throughout your time in Leaf’s Nation. What I saw last night was pathetic. The players let you down early with bad decisions coming one after another. There was, however one important difference between last night and every other night.

 You were thrown under the bus! The “Fire Wilson” chants were loud and impossible to ignore. All of Leaf’s nation could see that they were getting to you as your post-game interview lacked all the characteristics of a typical Ron Wilson Blamefest. You were cautious with how you dealt with the media, you actually defended your goalie (FOR ONCE!), and you had a far more mellow tone than I have ever seen from you after a loss. Clearly last night we saw a Ron Wilson who had been emotionally drained and suffered from being called out by all of Leaf’s Nation. All I can say is, you deserved it all! I can think of nothing more fitting than a person being put in the same unfair position that he has put others in time and time again, and that is what happened last night. Two bad plays from the defence lead to this loss, and that should have been on their shoulders, instead it was on yours. Justice was served!

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There have been rumours circling since Brian Burke stated that he would explore the market for a goaltender that the Leafs would acquire a veteran who could help them now. Burke himself stated as much. But first things first, Burkie.. you have a job left unfinished.

Burke has been looking for a centre with size for 3 seasons now. Someone to step in and ride shotgun to Kessel and now Lupul.

He’s also wanted truculence, someone with a mean streak and someone with edge.

The Leafs need look no further for than the Los Angeles Kings for all their missing links.

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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.

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It’s becoming obvious that the Leafs #1 problem is goaltending.  Nor Reimer or Gustavsson are  coming up with key saves at the critical times in the games.   It’s obvious that the combo of Riem & Gus is not going to be good enough to get us into the playoffs.

I look at the St.Louis goaltending situation.  Elliot is playing incredible. They have 2 great goalie propects on the very near horizon. Perhaps Burke can make  an enquiry to see if Halak can be pryed from the Blues.  He’s been a #1 b4. He’s  played in the East. He certainly would be an upgrade over Reim & Gus.   I’d say if we can get Halak, see what the market  is for Reim. If it’s soft, than keep Reim & either trade Gus for whatever u can get or just let him walk away as a UFA next July, but if you can package Reim for something really good, re-sign Gus to keep him next year with Halak.

I have to believe that with consistent goaltending, the Leafs could  be  sitting very nicely even with Pittsburgh & Ottawa. Instead the Leafs are  just very lucky to be  barely hanging on to the 8th spot with Washington, Winnipeg, Montreal & Tampa on our heels.

Honestly I’m surprised the Blues with 2  number  one goalies, they wouldn’t be looking to move Halak for something else that can help him rather than have  a #1 goalie sitting on the bench.  Remember Fletcher in 1992? Due to having a great young Potvin in net, he traded Fuhr for two time 59 goal scorer in Andreychuk.  The Blues should be thinking this way.

I would love to see Halak in a Leaf uniform, sooner than later.    Don’t wait till the Leafs fall to far  too behind in the East.

If Halak is available, go get em Burke!!!!!