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

[Zee]

I think with as close as they are now to a playoff spot they need to do something now.  If BB thought that by givingWilson the extension that it would prevent him from becoming a lame duck and inspire the team it is obvious he was wrong.  I have been preaching patience for the past three years but there comes a time when you need to act.  I remember Burke saying he is not afraid to admit when he made a mistake.  I think this is one of those times.

"I am not afraid to admit I made a mistake" **



** except if it relates to my buddy Ron Wilson, he'll always have a job while I'm here.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Again I just read again, this time on Canoe, that Wilson actually accused Lupul and Gardiner of screening Reimer.  His he nuts? Message to Wilson, they are screening Reimer because you tell them to.  You keep saying block shots.  All I ever hear you say is block shots.  I never
hear you tell anyone to clear players out from in from of
the goalie so he can see the shots.
 

You know, it's really funny but there are/were teams that did shot blocking without screening the goaltender, that stick-checked and forechecked well, and cleared players from out in front.  Many successful teams, both of the past and present, did/do this with the proper methodology applied.

Now, may I ask,, why can't the Leafs do the same, at least with a modicum of better success?  Is it the coaching staff that's sending confusing signals/messages to the players, or, is it that these guys just can't be taught?

 

[lamajama]

Whatever defensive system - in our own end or on the PK is very clearly not working so let's just keep it the same.....This "firewagon" hockey that even the analysts say is "nice to watch" is not working in our own end. So we need to change the style or change the coach. So far neither one is coming. This is just stupid. The PK is an absolute embarassment. Is it that difficult Burke to find players that will apparently listen to the coaches
or is it that the players are the correct ones and the goaltending and system is the problem? It's one or the other.

 

[Mike1]

Again I just read again, this time on Canoe, that Wilson actually accused Lupul and Gardiner of screening Reimer.  His he nuts? Message to Wilson, they are screening Reimer because you tell them to.  You keep saying block shots.  All I ever hear you say is block shots.  I never
hear you tell anyone to clear players out from in from of
the goalie so he can see the shots.
 

You know, it's really funny but there are/were teams that did shot blocking without screening the goaltender, that stick-checked and forechecked well, and cleared players from out in front.  Many successful teams, both of the past and present, did/do this with the proper methodology applied.

Now, may I ask,, why can't the Leafs do the same, at least with a modicum of better success?  Is it the coaching staff that's sending confusing signals/messages to the players, or, is it that these guys just can't be taught?

It isnt just the coaching staffs fault. There isnt alot of composure out there during the penalty kills. This team doesnt really have the highest of hockey I.Qs. Its either bad/soft clearing attempts, overcommitting & puting themselves out of position or they dont block the shots at all. They struggle in alot of the defensive areas of the game. When your 5-on-5 you can hide those things alot better but on the penalty kill, all those things have to be sharp to be effective.

The downside for Wilson is the team has changed players, assistant coaches every season & there hasnt even been any sort of improvement. This team needs a coach thats going to be more demanding of the team to be better in the defensive aspects of the game & a more disciplined team game. The Leafs dont have the skill upfront to outscore teams for 82 games. Once the offense dries up, we cant maintain pace because we are so below average in the defensive areas.

 

[moon111]

I think the PK would be better if Schenn, Gardiner, and Gunnarsson had been traded from another organization then coming strictly in from the Leaf's system, or lack thereof.  To me, Phaneuf looks a little disinterested in smart defensive coverage that could cost him offense.

 

[Tigger]

To me, Phaneuf looks a little disinterested in smart defensive coverage that could cost him offense.

On the pk? He may be making some questionable choices there but I don't think he's looking for offense at that point.

 

[pindreamer]

Again I just read again, this time on Canoe, that Wilson actually accused Lupul and Gardiner of screening Reimer.  His he nuts? Message to Wilson, they are screening Reimer because you tell them to.  You keep saying block shots.  All I ever hear you say is block shots.  I never
hear you tell anyone to clear players out from in from of
the goalie so he can see the shots.
 

You know, it's really funny but there are/were teams that did shot blocking without screening the goaltender, that stick-checked and forechecked well, and cleared players from out in front.  Many successful teams, both of the past and present, did/do this with the proper methodology applied.

Now, may I ask,, why can't the Leafs do the same, at least with a modicum of better success?  Is it the coaching staff that's sending confusing signals/messages to the players, or, is it that these guys just can't be taught?

It isnt just the coaching staffs fault. There isnt alot of composure out there during the penalty kills. This team doesnt really have the highest of hockey I.Qs. Its either bad/soft clearing attempts, overcommitting & puting themselves out of position or they dont block the shots at all. They struggle in alot of the defensive areas of the game. When your 5-on-5 you can hide those things alot better but on the penalty kill, all those things have to be sharp to be effective.

The downside for Wilson is the team has changed players, assistant coaches every season & there hasnt even been any sort of improvement. This team needs a coach thats going to be more demanding of the team to be better in the defensive aspects of the game & a more disciplined team game. The Leafs dont have the skill upfront to outscore teams for 82 games. Once the offense dries up, we cant maintain pace because we are so below average in the defensive areas.

I agree.  Over the past three seasons the players have changed, the assistant coaches have changed, and the same things keep happening.  The only thing left is the coach.....the only person left is Ron Wilson. There is only one more change to make.

 

[Tigger]

There is only one more change to make.

I get that people are frustrated but that's just not true, you could change out the coach and the Leafs would still need a top centre, some pk'ing defencemen and forwards and maybe a number one goalie... maybe. ( I don't want to get down on Reimer too much, he's young and learning )

There's lots of work to put in both for the team and for management overall.

I'd point to the greater number of coaching changes not working out this year but would it matter?

 

[Kin]

It isnt just the coaching staffs fault. There isnt alot of composure out there during the penalty kills. This team doesnt really have the highest of hockey I.Qs. Its either bad/soft clearing attempts, overcommitting & puting themselves out of position or they dont block the shots at all. They struggle in alot of the defensive areas of the game. When your 5-on-5 you can hide those things alot better but on the penalty kill, all those things have to be sharp to be effective.

I don't know how any of those things, forget all of them, can be separated from the issue of coaching.

 

[Rebel_1812]

the team had no confidence on the pk last night and that was what killed them in an important game against the jets.  I don't think that cantankerous old man we having coaching is helping that issue. 

 

[Strangelove]

This is becoming rather amusing.  On any other club Wilson would have been fired about 5 times by now.

 

[Tigger]

This is becoming rather amusing.  On any other club Wilson would have been fired about 5 times by now.

Could be, only to be followed by a Rick Kehoe, an Ed Olczyk and a Michael Therrien?

 

[Mike1]

It isnt just the coaching staffs fault. There isnt alot of composure out there during the penalty kills. This team doesnt really have the highest of hockey I.Qs. Its either bad/soft clearing attempts, overcommitting & puting themselves out of position or they dont block the shots at all. They struggle in alot of the defensive areas of the game. When your 5-on-5 you can hide those things alot better but on the penalty kill, all those things have to be sharp to be effective.

I don't know how any of those things, forget all of them, can be separated from the issue of coaching.

A coach can tell a team to clear the puck out hard, maintain position, block shots but the team still has to go out & do it. I cant imagine Ron Wilson not telling the team to do those things.

 

[Kin]

A coach can tell a team to clear the puck out hard, maintain position, block shots but the team still has to go out & do it. I cant imagine Ron Wilson not telling the team to do those things.

A coach's job isn't just to say what he wants done. It's about teaching those things and instilling the requisite discipline to get those things done.

In a lot of ways, it's like being a teacher. A good teacher doesn't just read out facts and expect students to commit them to memory.

 

[rdowdall]

I know this sounds crazy...but this seems like part of Wilson's M.O.  It almost seems like he doesn't want to put the pedal to the medal until the second half of the season.  While in San Jose, there were two occasions that I can think of where they had to have strong second halves to make the playoffs.  The one I remember very clearly.  It was the year before the Leafs traded for Toskala.  I remember it because after the trade, the team kept talking about how Toskala had gone on to win 20 of the Sharks final 22 games just for them to make the playoffs.  Maybe Wilson thinks that completing the second half of the season strongly, puts you in a better mindset for the playoffs.  If that is the case, I would like to point out that his playoff record in San Jose was spotty at best, and perhaps a change in approach is needed.

I sure hope the Leafs can compete at a high level this second half.   

 

[namesoog]

I can't believe this is being discussed as much as it is. Everyone who works or even goes to school is rated. Produce or your job is in jeopardy (you are fired), pass or fail at school. With a coach it is you winning percentage, goals for versus goals against and special teams percentages. 3 1/2years and his grade here would be an absolute failure. Name one thing he has done with the Leafs that we as Leaf fans could be proud of? I'm listening...

 

[Tigger]

I can't believe this is being discussed as much as it is. Everyone who works or even goes to school is rated. Produce or your job is in jeopardy (you are fired), pass or fail at school. With a coach it is you winning percentage, goals for versus goals against and special teams percentages. 3 1/2years and his grade here would be an absolute failure. Name one thing he has done with the Leafs that we as Leaf fans could be proud of? I'm listening...

Twitter, definitely twitter...

 

[Kin]

While in San Jose, there were two occasions that I can think of where they had to have strong second halves to make the playoffs.  The one I remember very clearly.  It was the year before the Leafs traded for Toskala.  I remember it because after the trade, the team kept talking about how Toskala had gone on to win 20 of the Sharks final 22 games just for them to make the playoffs.

That doesn't really seem to be the case. It looks like the 06-07 Sharks had 54 of their 107 points in the first half.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/team_results.php?tid=000044&sid=2007

 

[rdowdall]

While in San Jose, there were two occasions that I can think of where they had to have strong second halves to make the playoffs.  The one I remember very clearly.  It was the year before the Leafs traded for Toskala.  I remember it because after the trade, the team kept talking about how Toskala had gone on to win 20 of the Sharks final 22 games just for them to make the playoffs.

That doesn't really seem to be the case. It looks like the 06-07 Sharks had 54 of their 107 points in the first half.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/team_results.php?tid=000044&sid=2007

Sorry, it was 18-2 in the final 20 games of 2006.  But yeah, that does blow all sorts of holes in my theory.

http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/t/toskave01/splits/2006/

 

[stephen_mogilny]

Hilarious video:
"How Ron Wilson REALLY Got His Contract Extension"

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGhY6JL3cdk[/youtube]

its time for him to go...