tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

What a Week For Leafs Nation

My last post was before the trade deadline and I asked the question whether the Toronto Maple Leafs would be different. Well one week later they certainly are different. My very last post called for the firing of Ron Wilson and on Friday evening Brian Burke pulled the trigger and then hired Randy Carlyle. The Leafs responded with a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday but the hiring of Carlyle could be a better move than mortgaging the future to try to get a player to get the Leafs into the playoffs. You see Carlyle stresses team defense, an overall team system, toughness and the willingness to match lines when necessary. He also acknowledges this team's greatest asset, speed, and he plans to utilize it to instill the overall team defensive philosophy.

In the dreaded 1-8-1 span of games, the Leafs defensive zone coverage was terrible. The goalies were taking plenty of heat but while their play could have been better, the team in front of them bear as much responsibility for the brutal tailspin. It is apparent that Ron Wilson wasn't able to get this team to pay the price defensively. It also was apparent that he wanted a firewagon style of hockey that the Leafs could play but based upon recent information were not prepared physically or mentally to accomplish. Often times I wondered what actually is Ron Wilson's system. I mean with guys like Lindy Ruff and Jacques Martin you know its going to be a suffocating defense with an aggressive forecheck and if they get a lead they were going to put the clamps down. With Wilson I couldn't figure it out.

Randy Carlyle brings a different philosophy, one that rewards hard work and defense first. After the Montreal game he had an interesting comment about goaltending. Carlyle's point is that a goalie shouldn't have to win you a game, he needs to keep us in the game. Tomorrow's game against Boston is going to be real interesting. The Bruins have manhandled the Leafs all season. Will Carlyle's style of tough hard-nosed defensive hockey allow this team to compete with the Bruins? Will the Leafs be able to utilize their speed to force the Bruins into mistakes?? I'm not expecting miracles but I believe we will see a change. A change for the better.
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I am out-of-town and that is why I have not been able to post regularly so as a result I'm not sure whether Tuesday's Thoughts will be up tomorrow. If it is not you can expect it either Thursday or Friday and I will have plenty to talk about including the whole Burke-Cherry feud, NFL Bounty System, Yankees and Browns thoughts and some basketball. I might even throw in a little golf.