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

Bring Back Stellick and Floyd Smith

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/2011/04/06/17903271.html

If you read the above column by Steve Simmons in the Toronto Sun, it appears that we need to go "back to the future".  You know the good old days of Gord Stellick, Floyd Smith, Gerry McNamara and the second term of Punch Imlach.  You know those great days when the Leaf farm system was barren, first round picks were blown with regularity, shipped out players who performed well elsewhere and a scouting staff that was a total joke.  And how about the end of the Pat Quinn era.  Yes, the team made the playoffs.  But it's interesting how I don't remember anyone screaming about trading draft picks and a weak farm system.  You know, moving Brad Boyes, forfeiting mulitple picks for Brian Leetch and getting the broken down power forward Owen Nolan.  Oh and by the way, Mats Sundin's linemates consisted of the likes of Jonas Hoglund and an over-the-hill Mikael Renberg.

Steve Simmons suggests that Brian Wilson and Ron Wilson need to be on a short leash.  Not making the playoffs again under the Burke regime means its time to consider pulling the plug with no contract extensions.  There is no one more disappointed that the Leafs are not in the playoffs (again) than me.  However, I think you have to be cynical and negative to not see that things are starting to turn around.

I think we need to look at Burke and Wilson separately.  As far as the coach goes, I think that Ron Wilson needs to be held accountable for special teams.  3 consecutive years of being terrible on the penalty kill and the power play cannot be tolerated.  In fact, if the Leaf power play was just middle of the pack, they would be in the playoffs.

In January, Ron Wilson won a poll done of NHL players as being the coach who players would not want to play for.  But it appears that this Leaf team did not quit on their coach.  They played hard for two months after the poll and pulled the Leafs close to getting into the playoffs even though many of the critics took issue with Wilson holding his players accountable in the media.

Simmons contention that no extension should be given unless the team makes the playoffs is one opinion.  But giving Wilson a one-year extension eliminates all the talk of Wilson being a lame duck coach next year and certainly does not prevent Brian Burke from firing Wilson if the team starts out poorly or does not improve.  Certainly, MLSE can afford to eat a year of Wilson's contract.  My opinion, Wilson gets a one year extension but is expected to get this team in the playoffs.

As far as Brian Burke goes, his biggest problem was his proclamation last year that the team was going to make the playoffs and they didn't.  In fact, they failed miserably.  But when you look at the dramatic change in the roster of the Leafs and the infusion of young prospects throughout the organization, you have to have another agenda not to admit that Burke has set up this team well for next year and the future.

Burke has made four major trades since being GM.  Trade #1: Phaneuf-Sjostrom and Aulie for Stajan-Hagman- Mayers-White.  Advantage: Leafs.  Trade #2: Giguere for Blake-Toskala.  Advantage: Leafs.  Trade #3: Lupul-Gardiner for Beauchimen. Advantage: Jury is still out, but if Lupul starts the next season like he's ending this year, Leafs win this one going away without even seeing what Gardiner will bring who by the way is a former number 1 draft pick.  I also remember when this trade was made the comments of resident sour puss Bill Watters stating that Lupul was soft yet Lupul has been excellent going to the net and in the corners.

Trade # 4: Philly's 1st round and 3rd round pick for Versteeg.  Advantage: Leafs.  All we heard about after the Kessel trade was how can this team rebuild without first rounders.  While granted it is a lower round 1st round, its in the first round.  And by the way, Versteeg is not doing anything special with the Flyers.  Trade #5: Joe Colborne - Boston's 1st round pick for Kaberle.  Advantage: Leafs.  Colborne has played well in the AHL and once again another 1st round pick which could allow Burke some flexibility in making a trade for a top forward or moving up in the draft.  By the way, the Bruin power play has been less than stellar since acquiring Kaberle.

The Leaf farm system is in much better shape than I can ever remember.  Besides the aforementioned Colborne and Gardiner, there is Jesse Blacker, Greg McKegg, Jerry D'amigo, Ben Scrivens, Jussi Rynnas, Marcel Mueller and Matt Frattin.  In addition, the acquisition of college free agents has also helped to strengthen the farm system.

The Leafs upper management is incredibly strong.  Burke, Nonis and Fletcher.  Not sure if you can find better hockey minds.  Speaking of Fletcher, many of the cynics point to Cliff's signing of Jeff Finger.  But let's not forget the selection of Luke Schenn and the trade that brought Mikhail Grabovski to Toronto.  Oh in case you forgot:  giving Montreal the right to talk to Mats Sundin for Mikhail Grabovski.  How did the Canadiens make out.

Should Burke be criticized for free agent signings Versteeg, Beauchimen and Komsarek.  Yes.  However, he recognized his mistake and moved Versteeg and Beauchimen.  Must the pressure be put on him to get this team in the playoffs?? Yes.  But to start clamoring for the removal of Burke is ridiculous.  The Leafs finally have a respected GM and an outstanding management team.  To move them out makes no sense and would be a major step backwards.