The Unofficial Fire Ron Wilson/Ron Wilson is the Greatest Thread

[Optimus Reimer]

I'm trying to look at the bigger picture... What is this now, year 3 of a 5/6 year rebuild? We have what - 96 points in the last 82 games? We've got a playoff spot entering the new year and nobody - I mean nobody here or in the media thought we'd be further ahead than we are now. Yeah, the PK sucks but we're going to fire the coach that to date has seemed to be part of the solution as opposed to part of the problem? Let's see how the rest of the season shakes down first... Either way, the 1 year extension changes nothing should a different voice be required at that point.

The 2012 playoffs are the result of what occurred after October 1 and has no bearing on what happened between Jan 1, 2011 and the end of the 2011 season.  Big deal that the Leafs are in 8th on New Years day.  They are playing crappy hockey and are sinking faster than the Titanic.  I honestly believed that looking at this roster on paper at the start of the season I was pegging this team to be between 4th and 8th, but lately are playing more like a non playoff team.

I do agree to give the team time to shape up and wake up, but by the time that happens it might be too late.  The team has to start playing smart good hockey now and not waiting to go on one of those 12-2-2 runs when it is too late. 

Just a thought:  if the team flounders and loses a bunch of games, does BB fire RW after giving him an extension?  Going on an extended losing streak puts the Leafs out of the playoff picture.  Is it the players fault that they can't play under RW's system, or is RW's system faulty? 

I am okay with the extension, but BB has to be willing to gas RW if the team doesn't start improving.

 

[avatarx51]

Its great to be buddies with your boss just ask Ron Wilson..  This team has been tanking slowly now they are 8th.. wont be much longer till we drop more, extending the contract at this time was premature to say the least. 

 

[Optimus Reimer]

Its great to be buddies with your boss just ask Ron Wilson..  This team has been tanking slowly now they are 8th.. wont be much longer till we drop more, extending the contract at this time was premature to say the least.

In a way I disagree.  Extending the coach's contract showed the players the GM has confidence in the coach.  That should have been enough to light a fire under the players to make them play better.  If the team continues to suck, I see BB making a trade or two to make the team better and to help the team get into the playoffs.  If the Leafs fail to make the playoffs this season, RW gets gassed at the end of the season.  BB can tell the new owners that he expected the team to play better under RW, even after getting more talent on the team.  That was why he extended RW's contract.  When the players failed to perform, BB realized the error was with RW and corrected the mistake by firing him.

It does not look good when a manager selects a subordinate employee who fails to perform at a certain level.  However, decisions like that are made all the time in all types of employment and should not reflect negatively on BB.  If RW is fired, it will look negatively toward BB if his next coach selection also turns out to be a dud.   

 

[namesoog]

It truly is mind boggling. If you saw a movie and it played out like this you would think it was to unreal. A person takes a job in a company, is a failure for three years,mthey change all his coworkers and assistants and he is a failure again.  So what do they do sign him for another year. It would be unbelievable.

 

[Tigger]

He was responsible for two of the goals last night.

Which two were those?

 

[Tigger]

For both of you I'm kidding/needling in the sense that Reimer doesn't deserve it and that can play tricks on you but I don't think that, if even true, had much to do with tonight... that was mostly the bracketed part of the comment.

I thought that was a decent rebound from his previous game.

He wasn't awful, made some saves late, but the first goal wasn't good.

The first one off a shot that reminded me of a Kessel release partially screened by a rookie defender ( who had the puck given back to him by Franson )...

The 3rd goal, hard to blame him for it, a brilliantly roofed backhand, but why is his flopping and making snow angels on the ice instead of trying to actually cover the puck.  Looking at the play, there was space between his leg and the post too so it wasn't like he took away the bottom of the net.  He was lost, was just trying to cover as much as he could, but it was desperation, and not a goaltender in control.  Most of the fault has to go at Phaneuf who seems incapable of doing his job in front of the net but Reimer needs to be more in control, he doesn't have the same level of athleticism as Gustavsson.

I think Reimer was getting it from the oppositions stick, looked to me like he couldn't get his right arm or paddle across and was being moved across the crease. I agree though, I think Jonas is a better athletic/reactionary goalie.

The 4th goal, hard to fault a PP goal on a 4 on 3, but the puck went through him.  I'm fine if that goes over his shoulder or off the far post and in, but it went right through him.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the winning goal was also deflected on it's way.

It was better than the Florida game, but how many times are we going to make excuses for his play when he isn't giving us anything better than Gustavsson but run him like he is playing better?  Something needs to happen to try and get the team on a winning streak.

Yeah, I would have tried Jonas by now too but honestly if what we have is a 1b/1c net combo then I go back to considering a platoon or shopping for a real number one.

The way the Leafs play, 'trading chances' as Wilson has noted will lead to these types of things too.

 

[Kin]

I'm trying to look at the bigger picture... What is this now, year 3 of a 5/6 year rebuild? We have what - 96 points in the last 82 games? We've got a playoff spot entering the new year and nobody - I mean nobody here or in the media thought we'd be further ahead than we are now.

When Brian Burke got hired he was very clear about not being interested in a traditional 5/6 year rebuild and, to his credit, his actions have been entirely consistent with that. Nothing the team has done implied they were going for that kind of build. It's not rational nor reasonable to expect fans who were sold an entirely different bill of goods to then base their expectations on something that they were told wasn't the case.

Likewise, it isn't accurate to say that nobody expected more from the Maple Leafs than they've delivered over the last few years. Remember the frequent defense of the Kessel trade is that "nobody" would have predicted they'd be as lousy as they proved to be that year. As someone who's posted here the last few years and who has a pretty decent memory the idea that there wasn't anyone arguing that the Leafs could have been more than they were the last few years does not ring true in the least.

 

[Optimus Reimer]

He was responsible for two of the goals last night.

Which two were those?

The first and last goals.  Those were shots that were stoppable by average goalies.  Regardless of what was going on, Reimer should have stopped both those shots.   

HOWEVER, looking at the replays, the play of the forwards and d-men on each goal was brutal.  The first goal, not being able to clear the puck out (again), the second goal, Phaneuf had a brain fart, the third goal, Aulie and Phaneuf each sharing brain farts, the fourth goal, Connoly's penalty.



   

 

[Zee]

I'm trying to look at the bigger picture... What is this now, year 3 of a 5/6 year rebuild? We have what - 96 points in the last 82 games? We've got a playoff spot entering the new year and nobody - I mean nobody here or in the media thought we'd be further ahead than we are now. Yeah, the PK sucks but we're going to fire the coach that to date has seemed to be part of the solution as opposed to part of the problem? Let's see how the rest of the season shakes down first... Either way, the 1 year extension changes nothing should a different voice be required at that point.

We're in a playoff spot now, that may change by Saturday night, Dec 31st, which would put us out of a playoff spot by the new year -- exactly like last season.

 

[Redleaf]

I'm trying to look at the bigger picture... What is this now, year 3 of a 5/6 year rebuild? We have what - 96 points in the last 82 games? We've got a playoff spot entering the new year and nobody - I mean nobody here or in the media thought we'd be further ahead than we are now. Yeah, the PK sucks but we're going to fire the coach that to date has seemed to be part of the solution as opposed to part of the problem? Let's see how the rest of the season shakes down first... Either way, the 1 year extension changes nothing should a different voice be required at that point.

We're in a playoff spot now, that may change by Saturday night, Dec 31st, which would put us out of a playoff spot by the new year -- exactly like last season.

Which clearly makes the game tomorrow vs the Jets the biggest one to date.

Just a hunch, but I think we see Reimer back between the pipes.

 

[pindreamer]

I think how the team has performed the past two games is how the players really think about BB extending Wilson.  Burke has hitched his horse to Wilson's wagon.
Win or lose.

 

[McPwnage]

I think given recent performances gustavsson deserves a start, sorry but reimer hasn't been that stellar

 

[maplesyrup]

I'm trying to look at the bigger picture... What is this now, year 3 of a 5/6 year rebuild? We have what - 96 points in the last 82 games? We've got a playoff spot entering the new year and nobody - I mean nobody here or in the media thought we'd be further ahead than we are now. Yeah, the PK sucks but we're going to fire the coach that to date has seemed to be part of the solution as opposed to part of the problem? Let's see how the rest of the season shakes down first... Either way, the 1 year extension changes nothing should a different voice be required at that point.

We're in a playoff spot now, that may change by Saturday night, Dec 31st, which would put us out of a playoff spot by the new year -- exactly like last season.

No, not really. At this point last season, our season was done.

 

[lamajama]

I think given recent performances gustavsson deserves a start, sorry but reimer hasn't been that stellar

So - in arguably the biggest game of the season - to keep us in a playoff position...does RW start Reimer knowing he's been crappy but the supposed #1 goalie or Gus which then plays mental games with Reimer.
Personally I'd say Gus and to he** with Reimer's head.

 

[slapshot]

I say Gus and he sends a little message to Reimer. Don't get too comfortable with this number #1 anointed stuff. Toss last year's press clippings in the garbage and be prepared to battle. If you are not tough enough to face some adversity and overcome in with class, then your not ready to be a true #1.
Say was you want about Gus, but he's battled adversity with dignity.

 

[WAYNEINIONA]

I say Gus and he sends a little message to Reimer. Don't get too comfortable with this number #1 anointed stuff. Toss last year's press clippings in the garbage and be prepared to battle. If you are not tough enough to face some adversity and overcome in with class, then your not ready to be a true #1.
Say was you want about Gus, but he's battled adversity with dignity.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Hank Yarbo]

Its great to be buddies with your boss just ask Ron Wilson..  This team has been tanking slowly now they are 8th.. wont be much longer till we drop more, extending the contract at this time was premature to say the least.

Burke is a premature contract extender. But I think there's medicine for that.

 

[L K]

Wilson has already said he's starting Reimer.  It's his "home game".  Hard to really argue with that one in general, but it seems like there is a built in excuse for every start and they really don't seem to have much to do with merit.

3.24 GAA .892 SV% in 10 starts since coming back
He's 3-3-3 in that stretch (Gus took the loss for him against Florida)

In Gus' last 10.5 games (including relief appearance against Florida) he has put up: 3.00 GAA .903 SV% going 6-4-0

In spite of that, Reimer has started 10 of the last 11 games.

 

[Bonsixx]

Wilson has already said he's starting Reimer.  It's his "home game".  Hard to really argue with that one in general, but it seems like there is a built in excuse for every start and they really don't seem to have much to do with merit.

3.24 GAA .892 SV% in 10 starts since coming back
He's 3-3-3 in that stretch (Gus took the loss for him against Florida)

In Gus' last 10.5 games (including relief appearance against Florida) he has put up: 3.00 GAA .903 SV% going 6-4-0

In spite of that, Reimer has started 10 of the last 11 games.

I'm all for giving Reimer another start. If the results are less than stellar, I'd probably go with Gustavsson (regardless of results) for three or four games straight after that. If he's not all that good during that span, go back to Reimer one more time. If Reimer fails again, I'd then suggest we crack each other's heads open and feast on the goo inside.

 

[Tigger]

The first and last goals.

I know you mitigated your pov some, however, the first goal was a laser over the shoulder that Reimer didn't really see from a weak attempt from no man's land, it was a great shot.

The last goal, have a look on replay, it went top shelf pretty quick, I'm 99.99% sure Phaneuf deflected it ... watch his reaction after too. The best one I saw was a close up of the shot during the broadcast, it went high in an odd way, haven't got a clip though.