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Players take responsibility for slump, absolving coach

TIM WHARNSBY

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 1:55 PM EST 26/11/07

There likely won't be any drastic shakeups before the Leafs' next game ...Read the full article

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  1. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Nice to know JFJ wants to win game 82, what about all the others? Seriously, why would any GM trade with JFJ right now? Just wait a while and he'll be even more desperate, then you can really pick his pocket...
  2. Billy Biroux from Polar Bear Pit, Nunavet, Canada writes: Another season, and another coach on the hotseat in Toronto.
    What year is this again?
    Its like groundhog day being a Leaf fan.
    Because you're always reliving the same scenario.
    A coach under fire. A GM under fire. And the team going nowhere.
    Maybe they should fire Maurice, then bring him back wearing a bag on his head. I remember they won the game that night.
    Anyways more of the same old same old.
    This team is cursed
  3. Clark The Mighty from Canada writes: The problem is Maurice.
  4. Howard Young from Canada writes: The problem is the team, the defence is slow and porous and the forwards are having to make up for it by helping out more. This is negatively impacting the forwards' abilities to generate offence. Meanwhile, the goaltenders are having to carry the extra load. Getting rid of Maurice or JFJ will not fix this.
  5. dan vanman from Canada writes: No Howard, it won't. But it wasn't the players that gave away Tukka Rask to get Raycroft. It wasn't the players that have traded draft picks for years, leaving the cupboard bare in the minors. Hockey goes in cycles, but the Laffs have been trying to reload for years, instead of rebuild. Maurice may be an OK coach for that, but JFJ has most definitely shown he has neither the intelligence or the hockey sense to rebuild what was once a premier franchise. I wish you all the best, but you are going to have to put up with a couple bad years if you really buy into the rebuilding philosophy, and fans in T.O have not shown the patience for that.
  6. Howard Young from Canada writes: Dan, I agree with what you are saying. I was just making the point that nuking management is not the panacea for what troubles this franchise. The probems run deeper than this. I really feel bad for Sundin. He deserves better, but I don't think he has the heart to ask for a trade. Fans would probably want to lynch him if he did, even though they really couldn't blame him.
  7. Proud Canadian from Canada, Canada writes: My opinion: JFJ has the Leafs in such a bind with so many poor players with so many dollars tied to them. McCabe, Kubina, Tucker, Blake, Raycroft and Toskola to mention. So where's the room coming from in $$? Now dont get me wrong, the sooner JFJ goes, the better, but the poor guy comin in, he's bound and tied with all these $$ going out the door for nothing. And which 29 other teams want these bafoons? The remaining GM's are chompin at the bit to "screw" the Leafs once more. At least. Its time to build the lego set, like a little boy, the little boy knows, u start from the bottom. Leafs have to grin and bear for a while (maybe a long while) bite the bullet and start fresh. Drafts to start, then some shrewd trades a couple years from now and build that lego set. And build a winner. My idea anyway. There is NO QUIK FIX
  8. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Howard , I agree. Sundin is a warrior, he deserves better. I am a dyed in the wool Canucks fan, but Sundin is one of my fave players. You never have to question HIS work ethic.

    Just everyone elses.

    I think you have to cut pretty deep though Howard, as JFJ just doesn't have the stones to play the high stakes poker that is the trading game in the NHL.

    Everyone else views him as weak, because he keeps losing out on trades.

    The team needs to do what Proud Canadian mentions above...
  9. Allan Martel from Canada writes: Scot - your GM should also be in hot water but the MLSE lukewarm response to this obvious crisis has him protected - but for how long? Some more analytical gems below - sent from Vienna en route to Bergamo for another European league game tonight. Leafs Nation Dictionary - Stardate 2007 - Quadrant Earth "Trade" normally means a balanced exchange of talent (present and future) that looks likely to benefit both parties. "Trade" in the Leafs Nation means mortaging your future in a desperate effort to make the present barely tolerable. "Draft" normally means selecting young players who have a good potential fit with your future organisation, thereby building a contender (see also Ottawa Sens). In the Leafs Nation, draft is the cold wind a blowin' through the ACC across the empty spaces where the Leafs draft picks should be - except that they "traded" them all away. "Free agent" normally means an older player testing the market for his real worth. In Leafs Nation, "free agent" is anything but free and the prices paid exceed wildly any reasonable assessment of the player's worth (See also McCabe, Blake, et al). "Pain" normally means hurting but in Leafs Nation it also means Pa'in' as in paying through the nose. More later after the next loss to Montreal.
  10. the douglas from Haldimand, Canada writes: The problem isn't players, coaching, or management; its the fan base. For close to half a century we are provided with a substandard product and we reward the team with continuous sellouts and mechandise purchases and CBC viewership. Other cities, including original 6 cities punish poor results with lower ticket sales and reduced TV interest. The $$$ speak loudly, and the teams improve and fans return. As long as the Leafs can provide crap, yet remain "Canada's team" we get more crap. Start by inundating the CBC with calls to take the Leafs off the screen Saturdays. Watch how fast the numbers in the win column go up.
  11. Damien Colby from richmond hill, Canada writes: (1) Don't fire JFJ yet. No one wants his job anyway with a messed-up lineup. The new GM cannot do anything immediately (with so many long term tied up contracts). The firing can come slightly later.

    (2) The immediate action needed right now is to fire Maurice now. Paul is running out of tricks and ideas. A new coach may give us some slim hope and wake up some players.

    (3) We can't blame solely on JFJ, Maurice, and the board of directors; it is wrong to blame them, we truly are the ONE to blame........ we spoiled these folks by filling up ACC night-in and night-out! We should fire ourselves.

    (4) So, folks, don't go to ACC for future games (the Leafs are going to by yucky anyway). I can guarantee you, if there are only half packed ACC (say, around 11,000 show up for games), the Suits will act super swiftly to make changes. Try it for a few games, don't go to games, listen to FAN 590 instead; or better still, spend some intimate time with your family instead; our expected favorable result will surface naturally and automatically.
  12. Rob C from 905, Canada writes: Damien,the games were sold out mnths ago! - You think ther are walk up ticket sales? If nobody goes, no one at MLSE really cares....

    No, you fire JFJ now - leave an interim in charge until a real GM is found. Let Maurice stay for now, he can suffer with this team for a while yet.... Don't make rash roster moves. With all the no trade clauses, you won't get any activity anyway. As a Leaf fan, I want a last place finish this year and next - maybe you'll get Tavares, or at least two good high picks....JFJ has done years worth of catastophic damamge with his signings. Be patient Nation, there's no other choice.
  13. Henry Allen from By The Don River, Canada writes: Of course Leafs players are going to say nice things about coach Maurice. He's a nice guy, and a new coach may not be nice. Of course Leafs players don't want JF Junior to be turfed out. Junior worked out all those really nice no trade, no movement contracts. Aside from a little angst from losing (besides, it's not whether you win, but how you play the game), the Leafs are a comfy team. Who wants a hockey team with a hard-driving competitive edge to its attitude? That's not nice. Much better to have a social club, where the team is content and secure. Toronto fans are unreasonable expecting MLSE to build a Stanley Cup contender. Come on, Leafs, it'll be alright. Don't worry. Forget those critical fans and sports media. Just say warm, positive affirmations to each other. Look in a mirror and repeat: "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and dog-gone it, people like me." Group hug.
  14. Maxwell Maxwell from Canada writes: Mr. Wharnsby, surely ye jest! Players take responsibilty? C'mon. The same players are at fault - not good enough. Not getting it done. While I agree that JFJ overspent and overcommitted in signing McCabe, Tucker, Kabina and Raycroft - these same players are underachieving bigtime. Not sure what to make of Blake but I bet he wishes he were in Long Island now. Instead of focussing on Maurice and JFJ, lets try holding the players accountable for a change. Stick a mike in front of them and ask them why they demanded a "no movement" or "no trade clause". "Wasn't the millions upon millions enough?!!?" And ask them if they'd agree to be moved. Even if you fire either Maurice or JFJ, or both, nothing will change until you change the make-up of the dressing room. Lotta deadwood and underachievers in there who are just a tad too comfortable in playing in Toronto. The only way out is to either talk these same players into agreeing to be moved or to eat some of their salary in a trade. (But I think that still counts against the cap.) Or send them down. They need a warrior on the blueline a la Jason Smith and some skilled sandpaper upfront a la Mike Fisher. Steen, Stajan, Poni, Tlusty are at their peak value now. Package some with Kabina, Tucker. McCabe, Raycroft.. Positive spots are Deveraeaux, White, Antropov. Call up Nathan Parrot and Ben Ondrus, and sit a few of the underachievers. Hold them accountable instead of accepting the monotone cliches. Firing the coach and GM might make us all warm and fuzzy inside, but these same players will still be there come sunrise.
  15. R A from Canada writes: Actions speak louder than words and their actions clearly demonstrate that they have lost faith in, at least, their coach but probably the entire management team.
  16. Bobby S from Toronto, Canada writes: The first step is to fire JFJ immediately and find a successor. I know a number of names have been thrown around from Healey, Messier, Yzerman, Francis and Campbell. I would like to see a proven GM, just like the Raptors went out and got Collangelo. After that, the Leafs shouldn't do anything. As many have already said, with the contracts they have there is no way they'll be able to trade these players anyway. Maybe by the trade deadline you'll find a GM whose 'desperate' enough and will take a swipe at these guys, but there is no point in trying to rebuild now. This will take about 2-4 years before this team can really say their successful. So I am all for this team completely tanking the next two seasons to obtain high draft picks. Of course that's also hoping the Leafs get a reasonable scouting department that can turn these draft picks into real calibre NHL players.
  17. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: Maxwell Maxwell...That would be something if the media actually ASKED the players the questions you mentioned. The players are always treated to soft, predictable, lame questions. They're getting paid the big bucks and should be held accountable for the teams freefall.
  18. jimmy funk from Canada writes: I love how in the other quotes from JFJ where he alludes to "....we really miss Carlo...." HAHAHA....so laughable. Counted on who????? The guy has played what..60 or 70 games in the past few years. Of course this excuse is in addtition the "injury problems" Ahhh...earth to JFJ...all the teams have injury issues. What a loser. Whole thing is a bad comedy. Great though for us that stopped loving the Leafs years ago.
  19. Henry Allen from By the Don River, Canada writes: One of the rumours floating around is that MLSE is considering recruiting a committee of NHL former greats led by one of them to replace JF Junior. It would be some kind of General Manager Committee. If this rumour is true, a big IF, the dysfunctional board of the MLSE apparently wants to create another dysfunctional committee to be the new Leafs GM. Why make the role of GM simpler and more effective when the MLSE board can add more bureaucracy, fuzzy decision-making, confusing levels of authority and lack of accountability!?
  20. dale spinx from Canada writes: stay the course MLSE and we are certainly going to get a top 3 pick this year. my only concern is having JFJ going into this draft. they need to put someone in place to organize a plan for the draft and trade deadline trades.

    DONT LET JFJ DRAFT OR TRADE......PLEASE
  21. Dirty Burger from Canada writes: Rob C- if the Leafs get high draft picks, who cares? They have no scouts. Besides Tavares, they would either a) blow the pick on the wrong player or b) trade the pick away for a backup goaltender.

    The whole organization is poison.
  22. Duncan McCockenue from Canada writes: Wow okay: so we have pundits here that have blamed everything from the fans; to the players; to the coaching and management. How about the medical staff? Those B@stards could fix up everyone in the IR a bit quicker hey? I bet if they had Tucker a little faster; they would have won at least 3 games! Stupid medical staff should be fired! What? They have no-fire clauses on their contracts? Weird...
  23. Dirty Burger from Canada writes: If it's true that Ferguson tried to fire Maurice last week but wasn't allowed to, that's just too much! I'm loving this. Obviously, if he was over-ruled, any decision making abilities have been taken away from him- he's on his way out the door. Glenn Healy as the next GM? I could see it- if Hull can be one, why not another ex-player?

    Loving it.
  24. Drew Diggs from Toronto, Canada writes: Wow, all hands on the panic button!
    Relax! If by the end of the year the Leafs are out of a playoff spot or if by the mid point of the season there is absolutely no chance then start blowing things up. It's only Nov. and everybody has their panties in a bunch. Look at the rest of the Conference, no team is running away with anything. Even the Sens are starting to show signs of weakness. The Leafs are slumping at the right time (if there is any time for that) and their is a chance that they can turn things around. Give them a break already. They lost to two teams that are really hot right now - Dallas and Pheonix (and on the road). Now, im not saying that things need to be tweaked and fixed but lets not fire everybody...........yet. Although I really don't care when JFJ gets the boot, sooner seems better than later, he is the worst GM in the league.
  25. Trilly B from Canada writes: If MLSE wants to make a good buck, they could add a "Day in the life of the Leafs" type reality show to Leafs TV. Just set a few camera guys loose at the ACC offices and dressing room. That would be killer TV!

    And every week, viewers get to vote on something. Who should the Leafs bring back, Gilmour or Clark? And next week: who gets the axe, Maurice or Ferguson?

    And viewer polls: who has the hardest snapshot, Kilger, Blake, or Tlusty? Get it? Ha ha ha.

    I'd tune in. I'm tuning in here, and it's merely textual entertainment!
  26. Michael Sharp from Victorious, Canada writes:

    You see how this works Toronto?

    Saskatchewan votes in a Conservative government and next thing you know, they're winning championships.

    As soon as the GTA kicks out the Liberals (fed) the Leafs will win the Cup.

    Cause and effect.

    Aint it grand?
  27. Fester Boyle from Bert's, Barbados writes: Here's another perspective. The Leafs are in 14th place and the Islanders in 6th and only 3 points separate them. If the Leafs win the next couple of games, they're back in it. So, what's all the squawking? After the last Sens game, there was no mention of firing or blowing things up. Seems Leaf Nation is fickle, impatient, and wants instant gratification. Start moaning in January when you're 10 points out of the 8th playoff spot.
  28. Ell Kaida from Canada writes: Funny thing is, the Coyotoes missed several wide open nets in that game. It could have been 8-1 or worse.
  29. wayne powers from saskatoon, writes: So what , the players still pocket millions, the Teachers pension Funds is making millions, and the other guys at MLSE are rolling in cash nothing is going to change that. Until there is a cut in the money flow it will just be more of the same. They consider themselves winners at the box office and that's all that matters to them. Pride and $1.25 will only get you a cup of coffee, so who is the winner and who is the loser.
  30. Dijer Dije from Ontario, Canada writes: Michael Sharp from Victorious, Canada writes:

    Two spins on your post...

    1. Your theory suggests that Alberta should be cleaning up.

    Perhaps the Cons just don't like our large Canadian cities enough for your theory to work that way (and vice-versa).

    2. Toronto would benefit more from a much smaller league, as in yester-year, more so than voting in the Reformers. Say 6-8 teams.

    Congrats Saskatchewan... and good luck Leafs...
  31. Joe S from Canada writes: Saturday's game was probably the lowest point in Leafs history. They just didn't have any desire to play. They were just awful. I couldn't watch anymore and turned it off at 3-0 to find out the next day the final score was 5-1. This team has way too many problems to list. I on the other hand feel that no matter what MLSE does to this team, in the next couple of days/weeks/months they will be in the same boat as it is now. 27th overall, worst penalty kill, and the most goals against. Selling everyone for draft picks would be the most sensible solution, but unfortunately won't happen with all these locked in contacts. Don't forget the Leafs are still paying for Belfour's contract and he hasn't played with us for 2 years... Unbelievable... Are they still paying Domi???

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