Cox: Clock ticking on Leaf coach Wilson
atHome Top Story (Free subscription) | 11/21/2009
He might be safe as Brian Burke's choice for U.S. team, but the pressure's on for coach Ron Wilson to start delivering wins in Toronto, writes Damien Cox.
Grid Runners (NTSC All Region Import) Andrew Stevens, Don 'The Dragon' Wilson, Michael Bernardo, Ken McCleod, Dawn Ann Billings, Carrie Mitchum, Michael Dorn, Larry Poindexter, Rip Taylor, Johnny Williams, Ron Barker, Gilbert Lewis, Athena Massey, Stella Stevens, Turhan Bey, Loren Avedon
atHome Top Story (Free subscription) | 11/21/2009
He might be safe as Brian Burke's choice for U.S. team, but the pressure's on for coach Ron Wilson to start delivering wins in Toronto, writes Damien Cox.
The FanHouse - Pittsburgh Football (Free subscription) | 11/20/2009
by Christopher Botta Filed under: Thrashers , FanHouse Exclusive Zach Bogosian , the 19-year-old defenseman from the Atlanta Thrashers , has emerged as a serious candidate for the United States Olympic Team, a pair of sources have told FanHouse. The 19-year-old Bogosian, a native of northern New York, has developed into a superb two-way defenseman with shocking ease, with just 64 NHL games under his...
Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 11/19/2009
from Joe O’Conner of the National Post, Burke’s goal going into the season was to make the playoffs, and the general manager believed he had the team to do it. That team has three wins in 19 games and, as it reaches the quarter-pole of the NHL season, is tied with Carolina for last place overall, with 11 points. “How would I rate the season? Obviously, it is incomplete,” Burke...
atHome Top Story (Free subscription) | 11/19/2009
Perhaps the record of his hapless Leafs has left coach Ron Wilson speechless.
Pension Plan Puppets (Free subscription) | 11/18/2009
After 19 games in 1990-91, the Leafs were 2-16-1 and had lost six straight. If we granted points this year the way they used to be granted, the Leafs would be 3-15-1 and they've lost four straight, so it's probably time to revisit my earlier thoughts about how this year is so much less depressing than that one. By this time, Doug Carpenter had been fired, John McIntyre had been shipped out for Mike...
atHome Top Story (Free subscription) | 11/16/2009
Leafs coach Ron Wilson says he will be quicker to bench players who don't perform well in their first couple of shifts of each game.
TML Fan Fury (Free subscription) | 11/15/2009
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to stink up the joint as they get closer to the 1/4 mark of the NHL season and sit in the 29th spot in the NHL one point ahead of Carolina and four points behind Florida and Anaheim. The Leafs are averaging 2.5 goals per game this season, sit last on the penalty kill and are a league worst 1-6-2 at home. The team on many nights seem to take a little too long to realize...
Pension Plan Puppets (Free subscription) | 11/13/2009
Vesa, listen to the sound of my voice. Throw away your cares. Focus only on my voice. Vesa, you are feeling relaxed. So relaxed. A deep calm is coming over you. Do you feel it Vesa? Embrace the peace. Concentrate on that feeling of contentment, let it consume you Vesa. And as it consumes you, feel your conscious mind let go. Feel your eyes getting heavy Vesa. Your mind wants to wander, let it do so....
Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 11/13/2009
from Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail, The first thing Ron Wilson wants to do Friday night at the United Center is “pull the plug on the organ,” then get rid of the national anthem singer. Failing that, Wilson would settle for having Luke Schenn plugged in. Schenn was Wilson’s fair-haired boy last season. That’s not the case any more. In a published report Thursday, the Toronto...
atHome Top Story (Free subscription) | 11/12/2009
Luke Schenn and coach Ron Wilson both agree on the problem – the sophomore Maple Leafs defenceman has lost his physical edge.
Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 11/09/2009
from Damian Cox of the Toronto Star, So, with the NHL’s general managers – the rulemakers – meeting this week in town, there’s some expectation they’ll recommend a rule change to address either or both issues. Like a ban on head shots? Or a non-bodychecking zone on the ice? Not likely. No, a guessing man would look for an appropriate half-measure. Like getting rid of the...
Pension Plan Puppets (Free subscription) | 11/08/2009
RIP - Vesa Toskala's Stint as a Leaf Coach Ron Wilson - "When you get solid goaltending it certainly helps" Jason Blake- "He's made some saves that I call game-changers. Right at the key times and they've been outstanding. Last night and tonight, he was the difference. It was good to see." Phil Kessel - "Gustavsson in net tonight again - it's unbelievable. He played outstanding...
Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 11/06/2009
from Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star, Tonight, the Leafs and Hurricanes, boasting two of the league’s worst offences, will clash in a battle for the basement in the NHL and Carolina coach Paul Maurice thinks he knows what will happen. “(It will be) 9-8, that’s the prediction,” he said with a smirk. “They’re going to try and manufacture goals, just like we will.”...
Kukla's Korner (Free subscription) | 11/05/2009
From Dave Lozo at NHL.com: “Ryan Callahan is a guy who blends in, especially in a short tournament,” Tortorella said. “When you have a versatile guy, that’s very important because there may be an injury along the way, and when you have someone who can do a lot of different things and play in different situations, that’s an important guy to have.” Callahan’s...
Pension Plan Puppets (Free subscription) | 11/05/2009
...so what to do, what to do? This sounds like a job for Super-Poni! SOOUPER MAIN!!!1 (via www.babble.com ) Always looking on the bright side, mf37 dangles a carrot for the Leafs game against Carolina. Dr. Steve is sensing a method to Ron Wilson's madness. Is he using Phil Kessel to jump start the lesser lights ? The general is tired of excuses. He wants results. Furcifer wants to introduce you to...