I might as well cut to the chase: it's time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to cut ties with Ron Wilson.
Since his hiring in 2008, fans and members of the media have made calls for his head in every season that he's coached. Up until this point however, I've been in Wilson's corner. When it comes to any team sport, I maintain the philosophy that "you can't build a house without any tools". It's true. You can't. In past years the Leafs have not had the "tools" to build the hypothetical house, which of course would be making the playoffs and eventually becoming a Stanley Cup contender. In past seasons, Ron Wilson has been handed substandard players at all three positions, and when coupled with the unrealistic expectations of unrealistic fans, it's difficult to make positive strides.
However, that was then and this is now. The Leafs team that Wilson has in his hands now is by far the most competent and competitive roster since the beginning of his time in Toronto and they are good enough to make the playoffs. Yet the Leafs sit in tenth in the East, mere hours after the trade deadline. They are 2-7-1 in their past ten games, and have struggled for goals and effective defence over that period. This team was never expected to be an Eastern Conference juggernaut, but by no means were they supposed to be this bad either. Any realistic person would have had them penciled in to finish anywhere between 7th place and 10th place at the beginning of the season, so an outsider may not say that the position that they find themselves in is that surprising. However, this stretch of futility is unacceptable. Things were never supposed to go this poorly, for this long, this season. Yes, they are only three points away from a playoff spot, but they're only seven points out of the Eastern Conference basement. There are still many wins up for grabs, but it's hard to ignore the downward trajectory that they're experiencing right now; they're going ice cold at the most important point of the season.
This futility was demonstrated in its entirety on Saturday night against the Washington Capitals as they went down by two goals early and never had a chance of getting back in the game. It was awful. The most awful part however, occurred during Ron Wilson's post-game press conference. It was at this point when Wilson preceded to blame James Reimer for the loss on Saturday night saying that the two early goals were "stoppable" and musing that his performance was the reason that his team had few offensive answers for a tired Capitals squad. Through his entire tenure with the club, Ron Wilson has been equally game to assess blame, as he has been to accept praise. When things are going poorly, Wilson points fingers, and when things are going well he is happy to accept praise. He is quick to move between the "them" and "us" mentality as it is convenient for him. That is not OK.
The Maple Leafs organization will tell anyone who will listen that they are the youngest team in hockey, which is a great thing. But young hockey players have different needs than veteran hockey players, especially in this age. Ron Wilson may have a fantastic career coaching record, but he's never coached a team like this and he's not dealing with them in the proper way. Young hockey players need to be built up and they need to hear a vote of confidence from their coaches and managers from time to time. When was the last time Wilson did either of these things? When was the last time Ron Wilson gave a vote of confidence to James Reimer even after a shaky start? When was the last time the masses were told that Luke Schenn was a valuable member of the Maple Leafs? Constantly being surrounded by negativity is not the way to grow a competent professional. Wilson's wonky decision making for goaltender starts has caused many to shake their heads this year, and many believe that he does not care for Luke Schenn at all. The "win and you're in" philosophy may be effective for a team with two confident, veteran goalies but it doesn't work when both of your puck-stoppers have fewer than 100 career games under their belts. How are they supposed to develop as professionals when every goal allowed makes them wonder if they'll even get to start the next game? Consistency leads to growth, and neither James Reimer nor Jonas Gustavsson have received any sort of consistency this season. How is Luke Schenn supposed to live up to expectations when he knows every small mistake will only result in ridicule from his coach and the media? If Brian Burke (who is loyal to a fault) does not remove Ron Wilson from behind the Leafs bench he will ruin the progress that has been made towards becoming a legitimate playoff contender.
It would be difficult to pick what exactly the Leafs' Achilles heel has been in Wilson's time with the club as the power play, penalty kill, and defence have all brought about their headaches, but this season in particular the PK and defence have been horrendous. At other points in his tenure, personnel could be blamed as names like Jeff Finger and Garnet Exelby were never the answer, but personnel cannot be blamed now. Leafs fans are notorious for overvaluing their own players, but it's difficult to formulate an argument against the potential of a defence core that includes Dion Phaneuf, Luke Schenn, Cody Franson, and John-Michael Liles. This core does not only look good on paper. If coached properly these young men, along with Carl Gunnarsson and Jake Gardiner would definitely form one of the most effective top-six in the league. There wouldn't be many other teams who could match what they have. Yet, the Leafs are positioned at 29th on the PK and 28th in goals against. Could it be possible that a different coaching staff with different philosophies and systems would make a difference with this team? My vote is yes.
Unfortunately, one of the more popular solutions to some of the above issues with many armchair GMs is to trade Luke Schenn. Many have already given up on the former fifth overall draft pick and say that the only way for him to flourish would be to move on and find a "change of scenery", this, once again brings us back to Ron Wilson. Wouldn't it be worth seeing how Luke Schenn responds to a different coach and different system before making a drastic move? When drafted he was supposed to be a major building block for the franchise, and he can still live up to this. One of the more disturbing things about this entire situation is that Leafs management have yet to make a move to squash rumours that Schenn was on the trading block. At 22 years of age, Luke Schenn was allowed to think that he was disposable every night that he stepped on the ice for weeks now. He is still learning to be a professional and shouldn't be expected to get through these mind games on his own yet. These rumours are almost inescapable in Toronto, it's just how things are, but at no point did his coach step forward and give him a vote of confidence to the media. Young men learning to be professionals require this kind of nurturing to excel, and he is not receiving it. Trading someone of Luke Schenn's potential at his age would be ludicrous and would definitely be something that Brian Burke would live to regret.
Somebody needs to tell Luke that.
Fortunately, the trade deadline passed with no casualties to the current roster. This should help create a more relaxed culture around the team for the stretch run and it is time for the team to prove its mettle. With Ron Wilson getting his ridiculous Christmas Day contract extension in December, there's no chance of him losing his jobuntil unless the Leafs miss the playoffs. That's the best time for the move anyway, then Brian Burke can do a legitimate search and interview process for a head coach.
For now though, it's time for the Maple Leafs to go out and do whatever they can do to try and sneak into the playoffs, because at some point the futility has to stop. One thing is for certain though: in order for this team to be successful next season, Ron Wilson cannot be behind the bench; it's time to move on.
- @BradMac91
- @KeontoDion
This futility was demonstrated in its entirety on Saturday night against the Washington Capitals as they went down by two goals early and never had a chance of getting back in the game. It was awful. The most awful part however, occurred during Ron Wilson's post-game press conference. It was at this point when Wilson preceded to blame James Reimer for the loss on Saturday night saying that the two early goals were "stoppable" and musing that his performance was the reason that his team had few offensive answers for a tired Capitals squad. Through his entire tenure with the club, Ron Wilson has been equally game to assess blame, as he has been to accept praise. When things are going poorly, Wilson points fingers, and when things are going well he is happy to accept praise. He is quick to move between the "them" and "us" mentality as it is convenient for him. That is not OK.
The Maple Leafs organization will tell anyone who will listen that they are the youngest team in hockey, which is a great thing. But young hockey players have different needs than veteran hockey players, especially in this age. Ron Wilson may have a fantastic career coaching record, but he's never coached a team like this and he's not dealing with them in the proper way. Young hockey players need to be built up and they need to hear a vote of confidence from their coaches and managers from time to time. When was the last time Wilson did either of these things? When was the last time Ron Wilson gave a vote of confidence to James Reimer even after a shaky start? When was the last time the masses were told that Luke Schenn was a valuable member of the Maple Leafs? Constantly being surrounded by negativity is not the way to grow a competent professional. Wilson's wonky decision making for goaltender starts has caused many to shake their heads this year, and many believe that he does not care for Luke Schenn at all. The "win and you're in" philosophy may be effective for a team with two confident, veteran goalies but it doesn't work when both of your puck-stoppers have fewer than 100 career games under their belts. How are they supposed to develop as professionals when every goal allowed makes them wonder if they'll even get to start the next game? Consistency leads to growth, and neither James Reimer nor Jonas Gustavsson have received any sort of consistency this season. How is Luke Schenn supposed to live up to expectations when he knows every small mistake will only result in ridicule from his coach and the media? If Brian Burke (who is loyal to a fault) does not remove Ron Wilson from behind the Leafs bench he will ruin the progress that has been made towards becoming a legitimate playoff contender.
It would be difficult to pick what exactly the Leafs' Achilles heel has been in Wilson's time with the club as the power play, penalty kill, and defence have all brought about their headaches, but this season in particular the PK and defence have been horrendous. At other points in his tenure, personnel could be blamed as names like Jeff Finger and Garnet Exelby were never the answer, but personnel cannot be blamed now. Leafs fans are notorious for overvaluing their own players, but it's difficult to formulate an argument against the potential of a defence core that includes Dion Phaneuf, Luke Schenn, Cody Franson, and John-Michael Liles. This core does not only look good on paper. If coached properly these young men, along with Carl Gunnarsson and Jake Gardiner would definitely form one of the most effective top-six in the league. There wouldn't be many other teams who could match what they have. Yet, the Leafs are positioned at 29th on the PK and 28th in goals against. Could it be possible that a different coaching staff with different philosophies and systems would make a difference with this team? My vote is yes.
Unfortunately, one of the more popular solutions to some of the above issues with many armchair GMs is to trade Luke Schenn. Many have already given up on the former fifth overall draft pick and say that the only way for him to flourish would be to move on and find a "change of scenery", this, once again brings us back to Ron Wilson. Wouldn't it be worth seeing how Luke Schenn responds to a different coach and different system before making a drastic move? When drafted he was supposed to be a major building block for the franchise, and he can still live up to this. One of the more disturbing things about this entire situation is that Leafs management have yet to make a move to squash rumours that Schenn was on the trading block. At 22 years of age, Luke Schenn was allowed to think that he was disposable every night that he stepped on the ice for weeks now. He is still learning to be a professional and shouldn't be expected to get through these mind games on his own yet. These rumours are almost inescapable in Toronto, it's just how things are, but at no point did his coach step forward and give him a vote of confidence to the media. Young men learning to be professionals require this kind of nurturing to excel, and he is not receiving it. Trading someone of Luke Schenn's potential at his age would be ludicrous and would definitely be something that Brian Burke would live to regret.
Somebody needs to tell Luke that.
Fortunately, the trade deadline passed with no casualties to the current roster. This should help create a more relaxed culture around the team for the stretch run and it is time for the team to prove its mettle. With Ron Wilson getting his ridiculous Christmas Day contract extension in December, there's no chance of him losing his job
For now though, it's time for the Maple Leafs to go out and do whatever they can do to try and sneak into the playoffs, because at some point the futility has to stop. One thing is for certain though: in order for this team to be successful next season, Ron Wilson cannot be behind the bench; it's time to move on.
- @BradMac91
- @KeontoDion
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