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

[Optimus Reimer]

I think part of the problem is when the Leafs go on a winning streak, some of us want to hire RW for life.  When the Leafs go on a losing streak, some of us want him gassed.  I recall someone else earlier mentioning that we should not be making knee-jerked decisions based on a stretch of 10 games.  I have to agree with that statement. 

I believed at the beginning of the season we should see how the team is doing after 20 games.  At that point, I thought we should wait before making a judgement either way.  At the end of 2011, I was concerned how the team was playing, but I also knew that if the team could play better earlier in the season, they could play better in the new year. 

Seeing last night's game against the Bolts shows me the Leafs can do it under RW, but if the Leafs do not make the playoffs this year, RW has to be gassed before the season starts.  This lineup was the most talented lineup he has had to coach with the Leafs, and BB just can't continue rotating players in and out of the organization just because they can't play under RW's system.  At some point, the fault will have to be with RW's system itself.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Seeing last night's game against the Bolts shows me the Leafs can do it under RW,

Bolts have terrible D and goaltending. There is a reason why they are 12th. Come back to us after the Leafs actually manage to beat teams that matter.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Seeing last night's game against the Bolts shows me the Leafs can do it under RW,

Bolts have terrible D and goaltending. There is a reason why they are 12th. Come back to us after the Leafs actually manage to beat teams that matter.

Like the Rangers?

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Seeing last night's game against the Bolts shows me the Leafs can do it under RW,

Bolts have terrible D and goaltending. There is a reason why they are 12th. Come back to us after the Leafs actually manage to beat teams that matter.

Like the Rangers?

Yes, except not just the Rangers.

 

[bustaheims]

Yes, except not just the Rangers.

So, the Penguins then?

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Yes, except not just the Rangers.

So, the Penguins then?

How about we start with Detroit on Saturday?

 

[Optimus Reimer]

Seeing last night's game against the Bolts shows me the Leafs can do it under RW,

Bolts have terrible D and goaltending. There is a reason why they are 12th. Come back to us after the Leafs actually manage to beat teams that matter.

The Canes beat the Leafs.

It doesn't matter where the opposing team is in the standings, it is how the Leafs are playing.  They were blocking shots.  They were being aggresive on the forecheck and defensively, although the Bolts scored a goal when all 5 Leaf players decided to cover the right side of the ice???  The Leafs made some mistakes, but overall played well, because they could have played like they did near the end of December, and lost.

 

[Corn Flake]

Unless things get dramatically better in January, I think Wilson will probably go before the season is out. In fact I would throw out that just after the All Star break it happens unless again, January is as good as October was.  It would seem to fit the pattern a lot of teams have gone through... having trouble breaking out of the post rebuilt/retool funk where they have a coach who can get them going and the process underway, but can't seem to get them over the hump to take the next big step forward.  Wilson himself I think even said years ago he wouldn't be the coach when this team is either contending or "winning" or whatever term he used.

Washington was like that when Boudreau took over.  Philli, when Laviolette took over, Sutter when he took over in Calgary, Bylsma in Pittsburgh, etc etc etch...  teams expected to do better don't, then change the coach and boom... they surge up the standings and take off.

With Carlyle on the sidelines I think this possibility is extremely strong.  I assumed Scott Gordon was the coach-in-waiting if things came off the rails and he still might be, but when Carlyle was fired that changed things.

As for the $1 mil extension, really don't care or get why any of us fans do, and it would fall within whatever budget Burke has set out to run his team with and his bosses have approved. Also, its a fairly common pattern in the NHL and also one that with a coach in demand, the extension won't likely have to be paid out if Wilson gets hired elsewhere next season.  A lot of teams have rewarded coaches with multi-year extensions only to end up firing them in the first year.

 

[AvroArrow]

Yes, except not just the Rangers.

So, the Penguins then?

How about we start with Detroit on Saturday?

I'd rather we beat the Bolts, Rangers, and Penguins, who are all in the east, than Detroit who is in the west.

 

[ZBBM]

Unless things get dramatically better in January, I think Wilson will probably go before the season is out. In fact I would throw out that just after the All Star break it happens unless again, January is as good as October was.  It would seem to fit the pattern a lot of teams have gone through... having trouble breaking out of the post rebuilt/retool funk where they have a coach who can get them going and the process underway, but can't seem to get them over the hump to take the next big step forward.  Wilson himself I think even said years ago he wouldn't be the coach when this team is either contending or "winning" or whatever term he used.

Washington was like that when Boudreau took over.  Philli, when Laviolette took over, Sutter when he took over in Calgary, Bylsma in Pittsburgh, etc etc etch...  teams expected to do better don't, then change the coach and boom... they surge up the standings and take off.

With Carlyle on the sidelines I think this possibility is extremely strong.  I assumed Scott Gordon was the coach-in-waiting if things came off the rails and he still might be, but when Carlyle was fired that changed things.

As for the $1 mil extension, really don't care or get why any of us fans do, and it would fall within whatever budget Burke has set out to run his team with and his bosses have approved. Also, its a fairly common pattern in the NHL and also one that with a coach in demand, the extension won't likely have to be paid out if Wilson gets hired elsewhere next season.  A lot of teams have rewarded coaches with multi-year extensions only to end up firing them in the first year.

There may be something to that, but if Wilson gets fired I'd go with Eakins over Carlyle.  Although Burke probably couldn't resist Carlyle.

 

[Zee]

Unless things get dramatically better in January, I think Wilson will probably go before the season is out. In fact I would throw out that just after the All Star break it happens unless again, January is as good as October was.  It would seem to fit the pattern a lot of teams have gone through... having trouble breaking out of the post rebuilt/retool funk where they have a coach who can get them going and the process underway, but can't seem to get them over the hump to take the next big step forward.  Wilson himself I think even said years ago he wouldn't be the coach when this team is either contending or "winning" or whatever term he used.

Washington was like that when Boudreau took over.  Philli, when Laviolette took over, Sutter when he took over in Calgary, Bylsma in Pittsburgh, etc etc etch...  teams expected to do better don't, then change the coach and boom... they surge up the standings and take off.

With Carlyle on the sidelines I think this possibility is extremely strong.  I assumed Scott Gordon was the coach-in-waiting if things came off the rails and he still might be, but when Carlyle was fired that changed things.

As for the $1 mil extension, really don't care or get why any of us fans do, and it would fall within whatever budget Burke has set out to run his team with and his bosses have approved. Also, its a fairly common pattern in the NHL and also one that with a coach in demand, the extension won't likely have to be paid out if Wilson gets hired elsewhere next season.  A lot of teams have rewarded coaches with multi-year extensions only to end up firing them in the first year.

There may be something to that, but if Wilson gets fired I'd go with Eakins over Carlyle.  Although Burke probably couldn't resist Carlyle.

I'd have to agree.  Even if you give Eakins an interim role to see if he can cut it at the NHL level. If he turns the team around and gets them into the playoffs you go with Eakins next season, otherwise Carlyle should still be available to hire in the summer.

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

May I pose a question, gents.  Suppose, let's just suppose, the Maple Leafs make the playoffs, beat every team they meet in every series, leading all the way to the Cup final, and... win the Stanley Cup!! 

Now, then, what should Burke do with Wilson?  Give him a long-term contract, or let him go, once mission accomplished?

I bet if the above-mentioned scenario were to transpire by some strange circumstances that would propel the Leafs to win the Cup this year, then, many  of us would be singing the praises of Ron Wilson, or won't we be?

cross that bridge when we come to it

You don't like to dream, do you?   

I would love nothing more than the outcome of this season to be that ...something tells me though it would have to come at a terrible cost though ...like some kind of virus that devastated pretty much every other team in the league other than Toronto

 

[Corn Flake]

Unless things get dramatically better in January, I think Wilson will probably go before the season is out. In fact I would throw out that just after the All Star break it happens unless again, January is as good as October was.  It would seem to fit the pattern a lot of teams have gone through... having trouble breaking out of the post rebuilt/retool funk where they have a coach who can get them going and the process underway, but can't seem to get them over the hump to take the next big step forward.  Wilson himself I think even said years ago he wouldn't be the coach when this team is either contending or "winning" or whatever term he used.

Washington was like that when Boudreau took over.  Philli, when Laviolette took over, Sutter when he took over in Calgary, Bylsma in Pittsburgh, etc etc etch...  teams expected to do better don't, then change the coach and boom... they surge up the standings and take off.

With Carlyle on the sidelines I think this possibility is extremely strong.  I assumed Scott Gordon was the coach-in-waiting if things came off the rails and he still might be, but when Carlyle was fired that changed things.

As for the $1 mil extension, really don't care or get why any of us fans do, and it would fall within whatever budget Burke has set out to run his team with and his bosses have approved. Also, its a fairly common pattern in the NHL and also one that with a coach in demand, the extension won't likely have to be paid out if Wilson gets hired elsewhere next season.  A lot of teams have rewarded coaches with multi-year extensions only to end up firing them in the first year.

There may be something to that, but if Wilson gets fired I'd go with Eakins over Carlyle.  Although Burke probably couldn't resist Carlyle.

I'd have to agree.  Even if you give Eakins an interim role to see if he can cut it at the NHL level. If he turns the team around and gets them into the playoffs you go with Eakins next season, otherwise Carlyle should still be available to hire in the summer.

I like Eakins but he has development coach written all over him.  I don't know right now if an arm-around-the-shoulder-big-bro type coach is what will get the Leafs to the next level.  They really probably do need a butt whupping general to get them past this phase of learning and making mistakes, knows how to win and has the cache to say he's done it before. 

Wilson, while most despise, seems to have the player's ears and has struck me as being very patient in most cases and overall is a pretty calm guy. He puts guys like Schenn out there time after time despite some wild, repeated errors, etc etc. Its been good for many things and I think has helped guys like Kessel become a complete player, etc. 

I think the next guy needs to be one who makes the paint on the locker room walls peel when he speaks.  Carlyle is one of those guys.

 

[ZBBM]

I like Eakins but he has development coach written all over him.  I don't know right now if an arm-around-the-shoulder-big-bro type coach is what will get the Leafs to the next level. 

You know him that well?  On what basis are you claiming this?

FWIW (not much, I admit) THN just listed him as a top "next-wave" coach.

 

[Tigger]

Yes, except not just the Rangers.

So, the Penguins then?

How about we start with Detroit on Saturday?

Ok...

Have to feel a little good for Ron, he gets a nice present in seeing his dad coach Ian Turnbull's big game and another from his team so far this year.

 

[Strangelove]

So how much longer will Ron be able to survive this slow, inevitable march out of a playoff spot?  Will Burke try to pin the blame almost entirely on himself again, given that most of his signings/resignings have continued to disappoint?

All in all, I think this team's a bit of a mess, lacking in the skill, leadership, and confidence which go hand-in-hand with competitiveness and long-term success.  It'll be interesting to see how management attempts to deal with the situation PR-wise if things continue to go badly.

 

[Zee]

So how much longer will Ron be able to survive this slow, inevitable march out of a playoff spot?  Will Burke try to pin the blame almost entirely on himself again, given that most of his signings/resignings have continued to disappoint?

All in all, I think this team's a bit of a mess, lacking in the skill, leadership, and confidence which go hand-in-hand with competitiveness and long-term success.  It'll be interesting to see how management attempts to deal with the situation PR-wise if things continue to go badly.

The funny thing is, Burke *almost* cleaned house in the summer by forcing the firing of Acton and Hunter (which Wilson was opposed to), yet he leaves the main guy.  So on the one hand people say "it's the players fault, you can't expect any coach to make a difference if you don't have the players", but then Burke must have felt a slight coaching change could help, otherwise why fire the other 2?  If it's truly "the players fault", shouldn't he have kept Acton and Hunter?  It's as if he tried to hold someone from coaching responsible, just not Wilson.

 

[Corn Flake]

So how much longer will Ron be able to survive this slow, inevitable march out of a playoff spot?  Will Burke try to pin the blame almost entirely on himself again, given that most of his signings/resignings have continued to disappoint?

All in all, I think this team's a bit of a mess, lacking in the skill, leadership, and confidence which go hand-in-hand with competitiveness and long-term success.  It'll be interesting to see how management attempts to deal with the situation PR-wise if things continue to go badly.

If the skid keeps up I don't think he will last long at all.

 

[rdowdall]

So how much longer will Ron be able to survive this slow, inevitable march out of a playoff spot?  Will Burke try to pin the blame almost entirely on himself again, given that most of his signings/resignings have continued to disappoint?

All in all, I think this team's a bit of a mess, lacking in the skill, leadership, and confidence which go hand-in-hand with competitiveness and long-term success.  It'll be interesting to see how management attempts to deal with the situation PR-wise if things continue to go badly.

If the skid keeps up I don't think he will last long at all.

I'm not so sure.  I think Wilson is the coach until the summer.  Who coaches this team next year is dependent on whether or not the Leafs play some playoff games this year. 

 

[Strangelove]

So how much longer will Ron be able to survive this slow, inevitable march out of a playoff spot?  Will Burke try to pin the blame almost entirely on himself again, given that most of his signings/resignings have continued to disappoint?

All in all, I think this team's a bit of a mess, lacking in the skill, leadership, and confidence which go hand-in-hand with competitiveness and long-term success.  It'll be interesting to see how management attempts to deal with the situation PR-wise if things continue to go badly.

If the skid keeps up I don't think he will last long at all.

I agree.  But I also think that Burke has worn out a lot of a leeway and good-will that came with his arrival here.  You'd have to think that if ihings don't turn around pretty soon (where making the playoffs is the minimum standard for a "turn-around"), he's going to start feeling the heat himself, and with pretty good reason.  The current club doesn't exactly seem like it's the product (or foundation) of a long-term vision for success.