Wilson fired, Randy Carlyle takes over

[Britishbulldog]

I am really hoping this all works out now. 

With Carlyle's notorious reputation of confronting players, I am also hoping that the youth are taught and brought along not just brow beaten.  Also where Carlyle prefers to not spend much time in the dressing room I hope that there is enough experienced leadership amoungst the players to set the proper tone for winning because that is also a delicate balance.

Lastly I hope that Carlyle uses this time to audition alot of players to see what resources the Leafs have.  Burke needs to be clear on who stays, who goes and what prospects are close to playing in the NHL.  With a 3 1/2 year contract on his hand I hope that Carlyle's number 1 priority is not only winning.

 

[Bender]

I am dumbfounded why people want Eakins so quickly. Because he's a nice guy? Because as I recall, he hasn't coached for that long, and doesn't have a heck of a lot to go on based on his rcord. I don't think the organization is stupid enough to let him walk. Like CW said they can offer him another role if he really wants it.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I am dumbfounded why people want Eakins so quickly. Because he's a nice guy? Because as I recall, he hasn't coached for that long, and doesn't have a heck of a lot to go on based on his rcord. I don't think the organization is stupid enough to let him walk. Like CW said they can offer him another role if he really wants it.

By all accounts the players rave about him, and having a coach that players want to play for is huge.. I wouldn't be surprised to see him as an assistant with the big club.

 

[McPwnage]

With Carlyle's notorious reputation of confronting players, I am also hoping that the youth are taught and brought along not just brow beaten.  Also where Carlyle prefers to not spend much time in the dressing room I hope that there is enough experienced leadership amoungst the players to set the proper tone for winning because that is also a delicate balance..

Where did you hear he had this reputation? Man that sounds really bad

 

[Kessel Run]

I am dumbfounded why people want Eakins so quickly. Because he's a nice guy? Because as I recall, he hasn't coached for that long, and doesn't have a heck of a lot to go on based on his rcord. I don't think the organization is stupid enough to let him walk. Like CW said they can offer him another role if he really wants it.

By all accounts the players rave about him, and having a coach that players want to play for is huge.. I wouldn't be surprised to see him as an assistant with the big club.

This is my guess as well. With Zettler gone that leaves a spot open for Eakins after the Marlies playoff run.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Anyone know if the presser is going to be streamed anywhere?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Anyone know if the presser is going to be streamed anywhere?

TSN.ca will have it.


Also, first I've heard of this:

Paul Hendrick ‏ @HennyTweets

Agent gil scott can't confirm that client scott arneil is joining randy carlyle on the leaf coaching staff. Will know soon.#leafs

 

[Corn Flake]

With Carlyle's notorious reputation of confronting players, I am also hoping that the youth are taught and brought along not just brow beaten.  Also where Carlyle prefers to not spend much time in the dressing room I hope that there is enough experienced leadership amoungst the players to set the proper tone for winning because that is also a delicate balance..

Where did you hear he had this reputation? Man that sounds really bad

Lots of coaches have a confrontational style that they use.  Maybe part of that is what this team needs because its seems like the same mistakes were being made and players (other than Komisarek, Armstrong and one or two others).

 

[nutman]

ooooooh yaa!!!  but a bit late for this season. we at this point would need to win 90% of our remaining games to make post season.  now all the eyes fall on the players.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/maple_leafs_new_head_coach/

Presser stream.

 

[Bender]

I am dumbfounded why people want Eakins so quickly. Because he's a nice guy? Because as I recall, he hasn't coached for that long, and doesn't have a heck of a lot to go on based on his rcord. I don't think the organization is stupid enough to let him walk. Like CW said they can offer him another role if he really wants it.

By all accounts the players rave about him, and having a coach that players want to play for is huge.. I wouldn't be surprised to see him as an assistant with the big club.

I have no problem with that. The problem I have is this: a player's coach does not a good coach make. He's shown that he has a knack for coaching, but I wouldn't just annoint him the position without anything to go on other than he's likeable. His track record is too small of a sample size to say anything other than that he has a flair for the position.

 

[Ken]

From the Star:

But Carlyle, who reportedly signed a deal for the remainder of this season and three more, has had the ultimate success behind an NHL bench, winning a Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007, back when Burke was Anaheim GM.

God, I hope the comment about a 3 year contract is wrong.

Why?  Why does it matter to you?  It doesn't count against the cap, it doesn't preclude him from being fired, and I doubt you're going to get many good coaches to sign a 1-year contract (not saying it hasn't happened, but I'm assuming most guys will want some kind of security).  If MLSE agrees to pay it, then good for them, because I couldn't care less the terms of the contract.

I'll hazard a response to this. I don't like the term because it all but guarantees that Dallas Eakins will get his NHL shot elsewhere. I understand why Burke wouldn't want to promote Eakins when the Marlies looked to be loaded up for a run, but Eakins was the best choice in my opinion. Here's hoping Eakins waits out Carlisle's rep for having a limited shelf-life with the teams he coaches.

What about Eakins to you is preferable to Carlyle?  I mentioned earlier in the thread I don't really know enough about coaching strategy to compare the two, nor have I had the chance to watch much of the Marlies, but his record in 2 seasons there doesn't bowl me over.

Strictly a progression thing for me, to be honest. Eakins is the guy developing the players we're all hoping will jump from the Marlies over the next few seasons. I like that kind of relationship as the team goes forward. I think a 3.25 year deal might push Eakins out of the organization if another team is looking for new blood to promote to the Show.

That doesn't mean I think Carlisle's a bad coach, quite the contrary. Carlisle has proven he can develop players from minor pro to the bigs. Carlisle brings the kinds of systems the Leafs need to finally play the kind of defensive game they need to play. Anaheim was always a top defensive team under Carlisle, and I expect that Wilson's (and Zettler's) passive system will be the first thing to go. We're about to see what Schenn and Komisarek are really good at in front of the net, where they've looked so bad this season.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Really enjoyed Carlyle's comments/demeanour.  Dreger mentioned it on Twitter too, but he seemed very confident and composed.

Also, Burke confirmed that Carlyle is bringing Dave Farrish in as assistant.  Mentioned that he coached the D in Anaheim.

 

[ZBBM]

My impressions / takeaway points:

1.  Carlyle sounded like he'd been hired as chief psychologist.    But I too liked how his demeanor sounded (I was listening on radio).  Also really really liked his emphasis on firsts: being the first on the puck, the first to lay a check, first to draw a penalty.  And taking it one game at a time.  We'll see how quickly the boys respond tonite.

2.  cw was right: The "fire Wilson" chants were the last straw.  Wilson was gone no matter what happened in CHI.

3.  Burke didn't assume enough of the blame IMO.  Yes, everyone shares it, but the guy who pointed out that Burke has always maintained that Wilson just needed the right pieces was right on target: you can't have it both ways, Brian.

4.  Burke's bafflement at the "18-wheeler going straight off a cliff" is disingenuous.  The obvious answer is that the team's talent isn't as good as he thought.  The team was never solidly in a playoff spot these past couple of months.  It's been a dogfight all year, and the one thing they had avoided was a long losing streak.  Which they could have absorbed, EXCEPT that they never had a really long winning streak, either.  And that tells you something about the relative mediocrity of the talent -- at this stage in their development.

 

[Bender]

"Lupul didn?t react well when he learned that Carlyle had replaced Ron Wilson as coach of the Leafs on Friday night, sources told the Star?s Dave Feschuk."

Leave it to the media to already kill enthusiasm.

 

[Kessel Run]

Still listening on TSN Radio and I kinda agree with Simmons that the move is almost Martin Gerber like. Leafs will most likely mount a push and end up 9th, 10th, 11th. Out of the playoffs and no top 5 pick either.

 

[Deebo]

"Lupul didn’t react well when he learned that Carlyle had replaced Ron Wilson as coach of the Leafs on Friday night, sources told the Star’s Dave Feschuk."

Leave it to the media to already kill enthusiasm.

No details, just a vague statement quoting anonymous sources.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

"Lupul didn?t react well when he learned that Carlyle had replaced Ron Wilson as coach of the Leafs on Friday night, sources told the Star?s Dave Feschuk."

Leave it to the media to already kill enthusiasm.

Yeah, that is just the media stirring the pot IMO. They need to stop this crap, I hate it, sometimes I do think they create unnecessary angst.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Still listening on TSN Radio and I kinda agree with Simmons that the move is almost Martin Gerber like. Leafs will most likely mount a push and end up 9th, 10th, 11th. Out of the playoffs and no top 5 pick either.

It's still a win though, because to me, the most important part of what was said about the change is that it gives Carlyle a jump start on next season. He'll know the team much better, which can only help IMO.

 

[Bender]

Still listening on TSN Radio and I kinda agree with Simmons that the move is almost Martin Gerber like. Leafs will most likely mount a push and end up 9th, 10th, 11th. Out of the playoffs and no top 5 pick either.

There's next to no parallel to Martin Gerber in this case. The only parallel is the issue of their record. Other than that Carlyle isn't a stopgap, last ditch effort to make the playoffs. It's a complete change in coaching and coaching philosophy, and will have a lasting effect.