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Wilson doesn't expect instant results

TIM WHARNSBY

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 9:19 PM EST 12/06/08

New Toronto coach says the team 'may have to take a step back' before it's a contender ...Read the full article

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  1. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: I think the Toronto media is going to have a grouchy bear to deal with for the next season. This could be fun.

    I question Wilson's sanity. He said he is going to study video of every Leafs player. A modern day equivalent of the Spanish Inquisition.

    Nobody expected that.
  2. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes:

    "I question Wilson's sanity."

    He took the job as Head Coach of the Maple Leafs...

    Nuff said.

    BTW If Wilson wasn't insane before he took this job, I would just give him a few months of dealing with the demands of the Leafs' nation fans and the Centre of the Universe sportsmedia...

    Welcome to Canada, Mr. Wilson.

    Cheers.
  3. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: So I will post the first "Intelligent" post on this thread... nice :)

    So how come the globe closed all the other threads where there was actually some intelligent conversation going on.... yet they let the politico's and idiots publish something like 500 posts about the HNIC theme music?????

    Maybe it has to do with corporate ownership? Either that or they liked giving Miller the insufferable a forum for cut and paste comment :)

    Mariposa..... Wilson is far smarter than the Toronto media... (of course so are we all... so are we all).

    Cheers

    btw: Robert... nice to see your brain coming back .... surgery went well I presume?
  4. brent mclean from b-town, Canada writes: how can you take a step back from being the worst already?
  5. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada:

    Speaking of grouchy bears...

    I thought that it was very nice of CTV/Globemedia to buy Claman's song for me to listen to on TSN, RDS, etc.

    Seeing as I have no plans to ever watch the Cherry Blathering Constantly network again...

    Cheers.
  6. Craig Button from Canada writes: Ron Wilson is an excellent coach. His record speaks for itself. He always has an important principle instilled into his teams; 'they do not beat themselves.' They are always one of the least penalized teams and they certainly don't take dumb penalties. When they do find themselves shorthanded, the penalty killing is excellent. They draw penalties, because they know how to take advantage. They don't allow very many shots because positionally they are outstanding. His teams have structure and discipline. His teams are well prepared and organized.
    He is an important addition to the Leafs' organization and Cliff Fletcher has done a great service for the Leafs' and their fans by adding somebody of this stature.
    As for the perceptions that may come with him, I say only this; "Perception is NOT reality in his case."
    Leafs' fans should be rejoicing.
  7. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Craig Button suggests that Leaf fans should be rejoicing....

    Well Craig this Leaf fan isn't ready to rejoice just yet. We still need to know who will stay and who will go "now" (to quote the Clash).

    I think Wilson is a much better coach than Maurice... and I certainly liked Maurice (he did great Press).

    Players will matter. PP and PK will matter. Wins? Not so much. I will give Ron Wilson a year to at least show a positive..... at least JFJ won't be supplying him with an unending supply of good third line players.

    Cheers
  8. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: Scot - I agree that some conversations are cut off far too early.

    On the other hand - do you really want to wade through 500 plus comments delivered by 'bots.

    Wilson has 'set out his stall', he is going for younger players who deliver drive and desire - hoping it translates into success in 3-4 years. A regime that might want you to buy tickets again.

    My view on Sundin is that the Leafs should offer him a contract that blends playing and coaching. Continues as Captain for a while, then becomes player-coach - at which point you choose another Captain and stick Mats on the fourth line - might raise the play of everyone.

    As you well know - but others may not - , I support the Senators but I want to see all teams (especially the Leafs, given the family) do the best possible.
  9. belsize park from United States writes: ...dats da problem...nobody has been expecting any results outta this team since Punch coached it....
    Wilson needs to order his case of Grecian Formula soon!
  10. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Mariposa;

    Did you see my comment on the "bot" page? I called them all out (Libs, Cons, NDP etc.) and got no rebuttal.

    Those clowns do not read... they just "bot" post.

    Tried again twice and then yawned and gave up.

    It was a good reminder for me why I stick to the sports pages.

    Another was the "my husband won't stop smoking pot" thread.... tried to go their today and tell my story.... which I have done on many many pot threads over the years.

    Gave up even thinking about the posts because they (posters) were all either pro or con.... no in between and nobody bothered to read well thought out posts.

    Sigh... so I vented....

    I agree with you on Sundin..... this Leaf fan would like to see at least one Leaf Captain retire as a Leaf with some respect.

    Cheers
  11. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Holy smokes, Loucks...

    Do you work for MLS&E or what ?

    First, you post the first "Intelligent" comment of the thread (although there were 2 comments before yours) and then just dismissed about 500 people's opinions as those of "bots..."

    Lighten up.... You're bumming us out here !

    PS... Count yourself lucky... I always get rebuttals from the likes of Bill H and Ricky the Centrist, my personal favorite "haters..."

    The Leafs got a new coach.... Who cares?

    Their management and their roster still leaves a lot to be desired...

    God, some of these Leafs fans seem to grasp at straws so desperately... I am just waiting for the post:

    CCCCCCCCCCCUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

    Cheers.
  12. Link Hogbrow from Canada writes: "nobody has been expecting any results outta this team since Punch coached it...."

    Ya well I remember what Ballard hired Punchy Poo. And Punch got his revenge by turning a decent team that was 2 -3 good players away from contending, into the laughing stock of all of hockey.

    Back in '67 when players could be treated like mice he was a big deal. But his second coming was a disaster.

    As for Wilson, I sure hope he's a better coach than he was a player.
  13. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Earth to the Centre of the Universe:

    Keep expectations reasonable...

    Your Leafs just finished 12th in the Eastern Conference (11 points out of a playoff spot) in the past 2007-2008 campaign...

    BTW One doesn't have to look to the distant past to find a time when the Leafs were "the laughing stock of all of hockey."

    Cheers.
  14. jake and pete from Canada writes: Drafting and develpment are they key to succes these day. Just look at Detriot. If I was GM of the Leafs I would bring in Pete Deboers to run the future tallent. Money is not an issue right know so why not build a team and franchise from square one? Central scouting is good for a lot of teams on the "cheap"

    Have you heard of Justin Azavedio? Kind of snall but leading scorer in the ohl.

    How would he look setting up the pp for the leafs?

    Hammersrton and Souilmin where great finds in the 70's Where are our kids of the futute?
  15. Popeye Dillon from North Vancouver, Canada writes: Basically Wilson promised nothing so Leaf fans get ready to see nothing!
  16. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: jake and pete from Canada writes: Drafting and develpment are they key to succes these day. Just look at Detriot. If I was GM of the Leafs I would bring in Pete Deboers to run the future tallent. Money is not an issue right know so why not build a team and franchise from square one? Central scouting is good for a lot of teams on the "cheap"

    Have you heard of Justin Azavedio?

    Yeah he's sensational in fact remarkably undrafted and Scott said he was 20. Bet the Coyotes pick him. Gretzy has had some great success drafting small talented players in the past (Briere) and he has the speed that could match that rocket fast Coyote team too.

    But the west have some huge defensemen he might have serious problems against Pronger or the huge Flames or Canucks D. And the Oilers ain't tiny either.
  17. John O'Meara from At A Bay, Canada writes: Wilson doesn't have to worry about Leafs fans expecting 'instant results'. They've been waiting 41 years, so what's another 41?
  18. Allan Martel from Canada writes: Brent Mclean asks - "How can you take a step back when you are already the worst?"

    I don't really know how you do that either, but I know that if any organisation can pull it off, it's the Leafs.

    More seriously (but only slightly so), Wilson is already trying to manage expectations among the Leaf Nation which, as we all know, is made up of legions of reasonable men and women always ready to give their team and coaching staff the benefit of the doubt.

    In this positive atmosphere of mutual self support: patient, positive dedicated fans; selfless players taking one for the team, again and again; stellar goaltending; a cagey mix of wiley veterans and new recruits; and a supportive and informed media, what can go wrong?

    No doubt in my mind that this ship has been "righted' and it's now clear sailiing right to the Cup finals.

    (Bring extra food though as this voyage of The Good Ship Lollipop will be a very long voyage what with all the suckers on board and all).

    Cheers
  19. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Martel;

    You have exactly one week to practice getting smarter :)

    Cheers
  20. Jack F from Canada writes: I guess he couldn't come out and directly say "we're tanking next season in order to get the best shot at Tavares". Don't be surprised if the Leafs of next year look an awful lot like the Marlies of this year. If they can't trade or buy out all their overpriced "talent", I see them either sending them down to the Marlies or scratch them for long stretches of the season, which ever way works for them to waive their no-trade clauses.
  21. R A from Canada writes: Either way you have to like his outlook on hockey - defensively sound hockey with good special teams. That’s a far cry from Maurice's philosophy of throwing anybody on the ice regardless of the situation and skill.

    Martel - you are back to Leaf threads again - nobody to bore to death within earshot?
  22. Jimmy Swanson from Canada writes: What? No Cup winning predictions? This is dissapointing. We all know the Fleas are gonna suffer another miserable season, or 6, but I miss the drama that followed this year with the playoff promise.

    Oh well, at least Ontario has a second, more successful team now. Have fun flea fans. Losers!
  23. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Jimmy Swanson... by my calculations... Toronto won exactly the same number of playoff games as Ottawa.

    Cheers
  24. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Wilson did pretty well with dysfunctional clubs like the Ducks and the Caps, and he brought the Sharks up more than a few notches. He doesn't seem have any illusions about the scope of the task ahead. A definite improvement over Paul Maurice. And Wilson can handle the MLSE politics. Tortorella, on the other hand, would have told Peddie & Co to shove it. Wilson's a decent hire for a team that needs a lot of work.

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