TORONTO (Dec. 1) - To be clear, Ron Wilson has been dragged unwittingly into the conversation of the past 24 hours that involves former and current Anaheim coaches Randy Carlyle and Bruce Boudreau.
Given that Wilson's Maple Leaf teams have not made the playoffs in his three years behind the bench - and that he refuses to play the "media game" by softening his public demeanour - the apparent countdown to his demise in this city continues despite an enormous leap in the standings, and a much-improved performance by the club through the month of November.
Both elements were paramount to Wilson surviving an early exit this season and both were executed. The Leafs have been at or near the top of the Eastern Conference and aggregate NHL standings since opening night; the club featuring players that were ranked one-two in league scoring heading into Thursday's games. Neither the overall upswing nor the lofty positions of Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul, however, have reflected on Wilson; not nearly to the extent that Leaf failures have since 2008.
Again, I think this is mainly an issue involving choice and perception. As someone pointed out earlier today, had Wilson the temperament of coaching colleague Barry Trotz, for instance, he'd likely not be spoken about in connection with Carlyle's sudden availability.
As for Leafs GM Brian Burke Tweeting that his coach "isn't going anywhere", we'll take him at face-value, unless this is an example of him "lying through my teeth" to the media, which he's promised to do when required. Coincidentally, Carlyle - though of a different coaching philosophy than Wilson - isn't exactly the Good Humour Man, himself; Randy's tongue can cut as sharply as Ronnie's when in the "mood". Given the intensity of the Toronto hockey market, it's unlikely the Maple Leafs, under Carlyle, would present a kinder, gentler image - particularly in light of the man that would ultimately make the coaching switch.
One thing Wilson, Carlyle and Boudreau have in common is their playing history with the Leafs. They were teammates here in Toronto during the 1977-78 NHL season, combining to register 15 goals and 45 points.
Here's the visual evidence:
AS A ROOKIE DEFENSEMAN, RANDY CARLYLE'S BIOGRAPHY FIRST APPEARED IN THE LEAFS 1976-77 MEDIA GUIDE (ABOVE AND BELOW).
BRUCE BOUDREAU AND RON WILSON (BELOW) APPEARED IN A COMBINED 53 GAMES DURING THE 1977-78 SEASON UNDER ROOKIE COACH ROGER NEILSON; THEIR BIOGRAPHIES WERE IN THE MEDIA GUIDE THE FOLLOWING YEAR (ABOVE).
THE THREE "COACHES" APPEAR IN LEAFS FINAL STATISTICS FOR 1977-78 (ABOVE).
Given that Wilson's Maple Leaf teams have not made the playoffs in his three years behind the bench - and that he refuses to play the "media game" by softening his public demeanour - the apparent countdown to his demise in this city continues despite an enormous leap in the standings, and a much-improved performance by the club through the month of November.
Both elements were paramount to Wilson surviving an early exit this season and both were executed. The Leafs have been at or near the top of the Eastern Conference and aggregate NHL standings since opening night; the club featuring players that were ranked one-two in league scoring heading into Thursday's games. Neither the overall upswing nor the lofty positions of Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul, however, have reflected on Wilson; not nearly to the extent that Leaf failures have since 2008.
Again, I think this is mainly an issue involving choice and perception. As someone pointed out earlier today, had Wilson the temperament of coaching colleague Barry Trotz, for instance, he'd likely not be spoken about in connection with Carlyle's sudden availability.
As for Leafs GM Brian Burke Tweeting that his coach "isn't going anywhere", we'll take him at face-value, unless this is an example of him "lying through my teeth" to the media, which he's promised to do when required. Coincidentally, Carlyle - though of a different coaching philosophy than Wilson - isn't exactly the Good Humour Man, himself; Randy's tongue can cut as sharply as Ronnie's when in the "mood". Given the intensity of the Toronto hockey market, it's unlikely the Maple Leafs, under Carlyle, would present a kinder, gentler image - particularly in light of the man that would ultimately make the coaching switch.
One thing Wilson, Carlyle and Boudreau have in common is their playing history with the Leafs. They were teammates here in Toronto during the 1977-78 NHL season, combining to register 15 goals and 45 points.
Here's the visual evidence:
AS A ROOKIE DEFENSEMAN, RANDY CARLYLE'S BIOGRAPHY FIRST APPEARED IN THE LEAFS 1976-77 MEDIA GUIDE (ABOVE AND BELOW).
BRUCE BOUDREAU AND RON WILSON (BELOW) APPEARED IN A COMBINED 53 GAMES DURING THE 1977-78 SEASON UNDER ROOKIE COACH ROGER NEILSON; THEIR BIOGRAPHIES WERE IN THE MEDIA GUIDE THE FOLLOWING YEAR (ABOVE).
THE THREE "COACHES" APPEAR IN LEAFS FINAL STATISTICS FOR 1977-78 (ABOVE).
Good site.
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