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Wilson already shuffling the deck

TIM WHARNSBY

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:03 PM EST 25/09/08

Toronto's top forward lines show little spark in 3-2 loss to Penguins ...Read the full article

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  1. Andrew Perry from Canada writes: Shouldn't that headline read" Leafs Score 4 in 3 - 2 loss to Penguins" or did I mis-hear Wilson during his late first period TSN interview?

    And how about that coverage by TSN: I don't think any wife/SO in the Leaf organization need to worry about getting pregnant in the near future. The boys are dry.
  2. Joe Fiorito from Canada writes: For every missed Leaf chance

    ...think about the single mom refused an apartment just because she doesn't have a job and, messed up that credit years ago.....

    ....think about that tenant with a rough past, looking for another chance, who got lost in the moment and used a firearm.

    There ought to be a law.

    Joe-Star
  3. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Certainly not the team we saw two day ago.

    Their D was totally suspect... and Schenn.... shone. He stills needs to go back to Junior.

    Two own goals..... other than that they played a respectable game.

    Hagman has the parts.... Blake is still a big question mark in this book.

    They played Boumeddiene..... like he will play for the Leafs this year.
  4. Kerry H from Toronto, Canada writes: Me thinks the globe can save this headline for many a game to come...
  5. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: Hagman is a keeper, although who his line-mates will be is beyond me.

    Reminds me of a kid who played for Oshawa in the mid-seventies, guy by the name of Andy Whitby. Good skills but erased by over-enthusiasm. Hagman needs to 'Check his Enthusiasm'.

    The Penguins remain impressive, they retain a legitimate shot at Stanley, in my opinion.

    The Leafs - they have to work hard over 60 minutes to be in the game. I think Wilson has started well on this work ethic.
  6. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Looks like Pogge needs a third season in the AHL or some extensive time with the goalie coach.
  7. j q from Canada writes: After two pre-season games, it has been more about individual efforts than anything else. Even in the win on Monday, the players were trying to find each other on the ice and directing defensive zone coverage rather than relying on instinct.

    So far, Pogge, Schenn, and Tlusty have looked okay. While, Kulemin, and Grabovski have only shown flashes. I like John Mitchell's physical edge and hope he sticks with the club.

    It is apparent that if they don't apply the aggressive forechecking system Wilson wants with physicality, puck possession teams will spend most of the entire game in the Leaf zone making for long nights in front of Toskala. On second thought if they don't cure the habit of taking undisciplined penalties that will happen anyway. Suffice to say, Wilson has much to do!


  8. j q from Canada writes: Billings wrote, "...Looks like Pogge needs a third season in the AHL or some extensive time with the goalie coach."

    Are you talking about Gerber or Auld? What game were you watching, clown?
  9. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada:

    Agree...

    I also think that the Penguins will show an overall improvement this season with the maturation of some of their younger players like Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Fleury, Orpik, etc.

    They will also finish quite high in the Eastern Conference standings in my opinion.

    That's a pretty dry commentary tonight, but I have had to add Lithium to the Prozac given the Habs have now won their last two games after Monday's game.

    Cheers
  10. Steve Church from Canada writes: The score and the SOGs flattered the Leafs. It was one-sided with a 'whew' at the end. Grab's goal was a rerun of Moore's safe-at-the-plate finish in game 1. The funniest moment was at the end of the 2nd - Blake tried to shove Gill and ended up in fading in reverse (Gill was chuckling about it). Poni's tip on Boumedienne's PP point-shot was pretty. But Boum should have worn 649 if he thinks there's an open spot on the right side of the D. The toughest part wasn't the game, it was the intermission flash of the Toronto depth chart ... looked like an ad for Six Feet Under.
  11. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: Get used to it Toronto, get used to it.
  12. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Get used to what R. M.?

    Two own goals by d men that won't be playing in the NHL this year?

    Problem today was the forwards.... and none of the effective fowards from the other night were playing.

    I shall reserve my judgement.

    Cheers
  13. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada:

    Perhaps I am mistaken, but I think RM might be speaking in the bigger picture ...

    It's only pre-season mind you, but being a Habs' fan in Winterpeg will do you some good, buddy...

    We're evacuating you out before the final siege...:)

    Cheers
  14. Joe Fiorito from Canada writes: Where is the charity for those less fortunate outside the game?

    I'm calling for a tax in Toronto of 10% per ticket to help single moms and the homeless!

    Read the star!
  15. Jimmee's Place from Canada writes: Heh Scot Loucks from Pickering, I like the way you see the game and I enjoy reading your posts.
    Keep up the fair calls.
    P.S. - You don't have to pay me anything for saying this either.
  16. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Looks like Pogge needs a third season in the AHL or some extensive time with the goalie coach

    ----

    Not so Billings.... didn't watch the game did you?

    Two own goals against him.... he is going to play 60 to 70 games in the AHL this year.

    Toskala is in the last year of his contract and will probably be traded this year... at the deadline

    After 40 to 50 games... the Leafs will either resign Toskala... or trade him because Pogge is next years goalie.

    Cheers
  17. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Jimmee's Place ... thanks.

    __________

    No worries about payment.... I'm broke....

    Besides.... I really like talking to the haters/bashers etc. :)

    Cheers
  18. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada:

    And we like talking to eternal optomists...

    You should take over the LPC... :)

    Sorry about the political reference... my bad !

    Cheers
  19. Allan Martel from Canada writes: Bob Mckenzie said it best this morning:

    "When the centre that you have pencilled in as you first line starter couldn't even break into the top 4 in Montreal, you know what a paucity of talent Wilson has to work with".

    At least Loucks can rely on the CBC to continue to feed his addictions with the regular Saturday night fix of Leafs games.

    I predict that last night's game was the first in an upcoming streak of Leafs' losses by one or two goals as teams establish early leads and then sit back to cherry pick an inexperienced defensive core.

    How about that sycophantic performance last night by Pierre McGuire? Is he vying for the Leafs' GM job or just trying to endear himself into the heart of the Leaf Nation? So much praise with so little basis - why it was almost Loucksian.

    Cheers
  20. R A from Canada writes: The Penquins showed the Leafs why they won the East last year even without Crosby, Whitney (sp), and the other defensemen (name escapes me now). I thought Schenn played a good game and so did Pogge, those 1st 2 goals were tough and the 3rd was a 2 on 0 in front of the net.

    To me Blake looks like he is coming around, he is actually passing and hitting - lets hope he keeps it up.

    I was impressed with the speed of the Leafs, they kept up to the Penquins and limited the odd man rushes that last year would happen 10 times a game.

    They showed some heart in the 3rd, something they lacked last year.
  21. J R from Halifax, Canada writes: Martel,

    Could not agree more on Pierre McGuire! Even as die hard fan I could not listen to him drooling over the simple plays made by some marginal players. It is what it is....a rebuilding year and as fans we get to look at some young players and hope they turn into something.

    Steen, Antropov, and Pony looked like they should have been included in the house cleaning....I hope it was just a bad game.

    Schenn looked good agian and Tlusty looks faster and is playing bigger. Good for him. Grabovski and Kulemin...time will tell!
  22. Tricky Woo from Montreal, Canada writes: I hear Claude Lemieux's available, though he probably has too much pride to play for the Maple Losers.
  23. phil phil from toronto, Canada writes: why is this even an article???
  24. Daniel Plainview from Canada writes: Doesn't TSN have better things to air than pre-season hockey- featuring the hapless Maple Leafs no less?? Is the audience still there for them?
  25. Frank Godfrey from Canada writes: Hab fans have their own thread and they still have to clog up the Leaf thread. Must be something to that " centre of the universe " stuff after all.
  26. D J from Toronto, Canada writes: Does anybody notice that the team is primarily made up of Russians now? Who wants to get excited about this? A bunch of guys who we can't relate to and who can't score. Who are these nobodies?The rot in this organization is incurable.
  27. wayne powers from saskatoon, writes: I think if I was Cliff I'd be trying to figure out who is going to be the last place team and try and make a trade for their #1 draft pick. The leafs have some growing to do but unfortunately there may be some name-players who need to move on to get that jolt of reality that the Country club is closed.
    Look over at Calgary they have a leader who is always putting out his very best, and what leader do the leafs have doing a similar job
  28. Daniel Plainview from Canada writes: Wayne- even if they traded for the draft pick of the last place team they'd still have to win the lottery to get the #1 pick. Not guaranteed by a long shot.

    Then, even if they did, is Tavares still the golden boy? Not from what I've been reading. People are questioning his work ethic.

    That said, it's should be a decently deep draft year.
  29. Jim Lahey Sunnyvale Trailor Park Supervisor from Canada writes: DJ -- I was thinking the same thing. Surely TO would like to have a player join the Olymipc squad, but it won't be for Canada. They traded Olymopic Hero McCabe, after all.

    Truly horrible game last night, but I only saw bits of it during the Sens game commercials. Now they are a team to watch, right Scot? Fighting, scoring, goaltending. Man, they have it all!

    I am all about fan loyalty, and understand how it muddles clear thinking at times, but even the most slow-witted TO fan would agree that the Mighty Sens are the real Team Ontario. And speaking of slow-witted, let's see who bites at this...
  30. Paul B from Barrie, Canada writes: Wayne, I think Leafs have the best shot at finishing last this year.
  31. R E from Toronto, Canada writes: Daniel Plainview from Canada writes: Doesn't TSN have better things to air than pre-season hockey- featuring the hapless Maple Leafs no less??

    They were going to air "Let There Be Blood" but that's even more boring and pointless.
  32. R E from Toronto, Canada writes: Or, "There Will Be Blood" as it's more commonly known.
  33. J R from Halifax, Canada writes: Jim Lahey,

    Not sure what makes a team "team Ontario" but I have never believed that to be Toronto (although I am a leaf fan)

    If you need a leaf supporter to say Ottawa is a better team than I will admit it. They have been better for the past 4 seasons or so.

    Does not change how much I enjoy hockey and being a leaf fan...I am sure sens fans have had their fair share of hard times too.

    I do think Ottawa will compete harder all 82 games this year with the coaching changes and, assuming Gerber can provide a strong playoff performance, they should compete with both Pittsburg and Montreal to win the east.
  34. J.C. Petite from Toronto, Canada writes: Jim did you say that the Sens have fighting and goaltending or did I read that while I was in REM sleep last night??

    Ya....I must have been dreaming, your post wasn't real.
  35. Ice Rider from Canada writes: "They speak perfect English, a language that Kulemin has yet to grasp."
    -- As Don Cherry might say, this wouldn't be the case if the job had gone to a good Canadian kid from Kingston and everythink!!
  36. J.C. Petite from Toronto, Canada writes: I really am suprised that a guy like McKenzie would discredit Grabovski so easily. Granted everybody knows that the Habs cut the kid, however they didnt give him enough of a chance either. Montreal had their pieces in place when this kid was trying to crack the line-up, he didnt have much of a shot to begin with. From what I hear, when the Habs sent him down, he lit it up with Hamilton in the playoffs. I think the Leafs are making the right move here. They are giving guys like Grabovski, Kulemin, Tlusty and Stralman adequate minutes to show the league what they have to offer and what they are capable of. IMO this can only benefit the Leafs organization and will give them a better indication as to which of these players can play full NHL minutes and be effective. When the rebuilding years are over, some of these kids may or may not be on the roster for the final product, it will all depend on what they do now.
  37. Nick Martin from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Why are you surprised that Alex Steen speaks perfect English? We speak English here in Winnipeg, where he was born and grew up.
  38. J.C. Petite from Toronto, Canada writes: Nick Martin....

    LOL! Good point!
  39. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: I don't see any reason for PANIK yet.

    What's wrong with losing 'Only' a pre-season AWAY game 3-2 to one of the best teams in the NHL?---So keep your shirts on. Rome wasn't built in a day (ya know). And neither is any sports team.

    After wandering lost for 40 years in the Desert it is starting to look like the Laffs may become Leafs pretty soon again. MLeafs now have good F/O & P/K men for the first time in a long time and that's 4-8 points a year right there. The Goal tending steals 4 or 5 games, and the club gets lucky a few games and pretty soon the Leafs are right up there.--Don't worry. They'll do better than you think!

    Hope so because the joy of my life (besides sex and beer) is BASHING your C of U Laff ers and it's no fun kicking 'em when they are down.
    So-- Go Leafs Go-- Pick it up Buds.

    Scot (or anybody from T.O.) who can you tell me who this bundle of happy optimism named Joe Fiorito is?

    Isn't there a person named Fior (sp) something writing for another T.O. newspaper?--Or is this some kind of sick 'Black Humour' put-on?
  40. Daniel Plainview from Canada writes: JC- Sens have the fighting alright. Neil, Bass, Carkner, Ruutu etc. Toughness abounds. Maybe no heavyweights but then that's a diminishing role in this league.

    Goaltending? Jury's certainly still out on that one.
  41. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Wilson has his hands full shaping these boys. Watching replay of the game on NHL Network: a few bright spots (Pogge, Schenn), the score definitely flattered the Leaves. There is talent to work with, but this will be, minimum, a two-season rebuild.
  42. Zee Man from Canada writes: Are there no Canadian hockey players any more? Maple Leafs, what are you doing?
    No Stanley Cup since Salming was made captain by Harold. Take a hint and get some players with guts.
  43. Mac- GLG from Canada writes: It's just game two and the plan isn't to get a cup this year. Give Wilson a chance and see how it goes.
    The played (just ok) against a very talented Penguin team and kept it respectable.
    I think they'll be fun to watch.
    ***
    Daniel Plainview from Canada writes: JC- Sens have the fighting alright. Neil, Bass, Carkner, Ruutu etc. Toughness abounds. Maybe no heavyweights but then that's a diminishing role in this league.

    Dan - Neil is anything but tough. Ruutu is a pest. Carkner & Bass - we'll see.
  44. Mac- GLG from Canada writes: Hap Stokes from Canada writes:

    Scot (or anybody from T.O.) who can you tell me who this bundle of happy optimism named Joe Fiorito is?

    Hap - It's David Miller trying to have some fun. Might even be Jack Layton.
  45. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: Hap - Mac came close but didn't give you all the information. The name is indeed someone who writes for The Star and specializes in urban drama and the difficulties faced by 'your average wage earning working joe in TO'.

    Not to the extent that the troll does.

    Although I do have step sister that has no navigational abilities and we are starting a fund for her rehabilitation so she can become part of the BC ferry fleet - please give generously.

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