quote: | Originally posted by The Ear
Forechecking styles won't change between the 2. Wilson has always applied the 2 in on the dump in forechecking style. Fletcher gets credit where it's due for upgrading team speed.
As to getting burned on the back-check, you can credit the ice time wasted by McCabe & Tucker et al for the odd man rushes.
As for the upgrade in D, it's minimal. Finger will show that while he's not worth all the $ he's getting, he'll be a stabilizing force at the back, similar to what Lefevbre was in the early 90's. But this all falls on the GM.
Anyway, here's the kicker... I don't even cheer for the Leafs, or any other team for that matter. I haven't cheered for a team in particular since the early 90's when I used to cheer for the Hawks b/c I enojyed that high-speed breakout combined with an absolutely malicious forecheck & and an even grittier style of play in their own zone. Problem was, they didn't have an answer for the size and skill of the Pens when they met in the finals. But I stopped cheering for the Hawks and any other team b/c I found by watching just one team play, I was missing the best of the hockey action on many a night (gotta love NHL Centre Ice!).
So to say that I'm upset b/c Wilson isn't my choice as coach makes little sense. What I'm tired of is unfounded optimism from the majority of Leaf fans. It's this optimism coupled with an undying love of the team to fill the Leafs' pockets with $ despite their inability (and perhaps desire) to ice a winner, that irks me.
There's no excuse for one of the NHL's flagship franchises and the team in it's biggest hockey market to continue this tradition of mismanagemnt.
This is what I'm tired of. I cannot fathom how a team like the Devils is able to convince someone like Brent Sutter to finally come to coach in the NHL and the Leafs cannot. Given the systemic failure that is the organization, it's time to bring about some innovation in terms of coaching, systems, and management style. Once this occurs, the Leafs will start to build a winner.
So enough with people like Quinn (never won a thing), Maurice (ditto), and Wilson (a more experienced version of Maurice). Time for something new. Someone who can run a team with flexible rotating offensive & defensive schemes (a la Babcock), or at least by hiring a coach that is able to take young players to the next level (see Michel Therrien) b/c they'll be in a good draft position for the next few years. Of course, to make use of that, they'll need a real scouting team, which is another rant altogether, and someone who isn't going to be mistaken for Father Time in the GM's seat.
As for the Leafs finishing bottom 2 in the league... Yup. That's where they'll be, fighting it out for lottery placement. If not, they're fools, as multiple years of mid-round picks will only further exacerbate their current situation. & yes, that is a recommendation for tanking it this year.
As for going into more systems analysis on the defensive side, no problem, ask the questions & I'll happily answer away. I love this game, and hey, if you or anyone else is up for setting up a regular hockey night at a sportsbar in downtown that does the NHL Centre Ice style with all games available, I'm all in for that. Of course, I've got that at home too, so if it's not downtown, there's little incentive to go elsewhere.
Cheers. |
The forecheck style was an issue because leaf skaters were not as quick as they are today. I think Wilson will let them do their own thing in the offensive zone for the most part, let them be creative while really concentrating into buying into the defensive system. But hey, we're only one preseason game in, we'll see.
I suggested you were upset with the choice of Wilson of coach because thats what you first replied about. Brent Sutter is a great coach, and if they brought him in before NJ could, I would have been very happy. Unfortunately, they can only bring in who is available and Fletcher obviously felt Wilson was that man. He has proven to bring defensive structure, and this is one team that needs it. I also agree that if you can change up your system on the fly it will be a huge advantage (specifically in the playoffs when you are in best of 7).
I personally dont think they will end up a bottom 2 team, i think they will do better than that, and not end up with a lottery pick. If they got a top two pick, that would be great, but as a Leaf fan, im not that optimistic.
Cheers.
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