By: Aadil Nanji
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Ron Wilson to a one-year contract extension on Christmas Day. This move was predicated on the teams improved performance, leaving them in playoff contention almost halfway through the season. The underlying question is whether Wilson is deserved of this extension and if Leafs improved performance is based on Wilson’s coaching.
During Wilson’s three year tenure, the Leafs have not made the playoffs, finishing highest in 10th place and have had an abysmal special teams unit. Wilson has also feuded with Tomas Kaberle, Cody Franson and Phil Kessel. Back in San Jose, Wilson’s team consistently made the playoffs largely due to their talent and depth. With a roster containing the likes of Heatley, Marleau, Thornton, Boyle, Erhoff, and Nabokov the team was a lock to make the playoffs year in and year out. Wilson’s coaching led to one of the best special teams units, and consistent postseason appearances but the team could never make it to the S...
Found January 06, 2012 on
The Sport Sofa:
Original Story:
THE BACKYARD
BEST OF MAXIM
AROUND THE WEB
RELATED ARTICLES
Lack Of Accountability In Today’s NHL Irks Brian Burke
Via The Slap Shot
|
January 06, 2012
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke sent pugilist Colton down to the AHL to play with the Toronto Marlies on Thursday, and with him, a message that all is not well in the NHL, at least according to Burke.
Burke spoke to the media Thursday, airing out what he feels is a total lack of accountability by the “rats” in the league.
If you want a game where guys can cheap...
|
January 06, 2012
Mike Augello: Phaneuf Bruised, Not Broken; Brown, Komisarek To Return vs Wings
Via HockeyBuzz
|
January 06, 2012
Dion Phaneuf was unable to dodge a bullet, but it did not seriously wound him. The Leafs captain left the ice in the third period of last night's 4-0 victory over Winnipeg after taking an Andrew Ladd shot in the face and was not at Leafs practice this morning.
Phaneuf did not suffer any broken bones from the shot, but was given the day to recuperate. He is expected to...
|
January 06, 2012
Orr Assigned To Marlies
Brian Burke, President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Thursday that the hockey club has assigned forward Colton Orr to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League...
The Toronto Maple Wings?
Via Kukla's Korner
|
January 06, 2012
On a slightly lighter note given that the NHL has all but declared war on the PA via their realignment press release (no hockey next October, folks? Ken Holland told the Free Press’s Helene St. James that he’s just as bummed out about this news as we are), given what Brian Burke had to say about the demise of the enforcer yesterday and Mike Babcock’s rebuttal thereof...
|
January 06, 2012
Maple Leafs Look to Make it Three Straight vs. Red Wings
Via The Hockey Guys
|
January 07, 2012
(Getty Images)
By Lukas Hardonk (@LukasHardonk)
The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to a hot start to the New Year, which is no surprise based on the team’s history of success between January 1 and the end of the regular season. With a victory tonight and a little bit of luck, the Leafs can get as high as fifth in the Eastern Conference, three points clear of the final playoff...
|
January 07, 2012
Detroit vs Toronto: Free Waffles!
Via Nightmare on Helm Street
|
January 07, 2012
Detroit takes on its old Norris rival the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight in a battle of the best vs the mediocre. All kidding aside, the Leafs have shown some improvement this season and are a threat to crack the top 8 in the Leastern Conference.Though we don't see them as often as we should, Toronto always brings their A-game when Detroit comes to town. This season they are...
|
January 07, 2012
Maple Leafs assign 3 to AHL
TORONTO - The Toronto Maple Leafs assigned forward Matt Frattin and defenseman Korbinian Holzer to the American...
Maple Leafs make roster moves for return of Brown, Komisarek.
The Toronto Maple Leafs assigned forward Matt Frattin and defenseman Korbinian Holzer to the American Hockey League on Friday.
Leafs GM Burke bemoans evolution of NHL (AP)
Brian Burke is struggling to come to grips with the evolution of hockey. On a day the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager sent enforcer Colton Orr to the American Hockey League, he bemoaned that there doesn't appear to be much need for players like Orr in today's game. Long a proponent of rough-and-tumble hockey, Burke now presides over a Leafs team that is built largely...
Leafs' Gustavsson shuts down Jets 4-0 (AP)
Jonas Gustavsson stopped all 24 shots he faced Thursday night for his second career shutout, leading the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets. With the Maple Leafs facing a key stretch in their schedule, coach Ron Wilson says the goaltender that wins will stay in net for the following game.
Ken Beckett: Maple Leafs Game Day - Game 41: Red Wings vs. Leafs
Via HockeyBuzz
|
January 07, 2012
Starting off the new year with two wins in a row, the Toronto Maple Leafs look to stay in the win column as they welcome the Detroit Red Wings to town for an original six match-up on Saturday night.
This is the only meeting between the two teams this season. In last season's lone game, Detroit picked up a 4-2 victory on home ice at Joe Louis Arena. Saturday's game marks...
|
January 07, 2012
NHL All-Star Game Favours Northeast Division Teams
Via Rant Sports
|
January 06, 2012
The votes are in, polls are closed and the 2012 NHL-All Star game will have a lot of Ontario flavour to it. But overall, the teams for the Northeast Division were the ones to lead the voting for the forward, defensemen and goalie categories.
Before I break things down for you, the biggest surprise in the finals results of the fan voting in my opinion, is Phil Kessel leading the forward...
|
January 06, 2012
Putting the Funk into the Dunk
Via Nightmare on Helm Street
|
January 07, 2012
It's almost game time, baby. When do you think the Lions and the Red Wings BOTH played on the same night in January? It's been at least 13 years since that's happened. I have my TiVo set to record both so I don't have to miss a minute of action on either game. While the Honolulu blue is an unlikely sight, the movie poster madness of Josh Howard is a mainstay around...
|
January 07, 2012
NHL Forum Discussions
1 replies,
7 days ago
2 replies,
April 29, 2012
1 replies,
April 25, 2012
| Latest Rumors |
|
|
|
|
Today's Best Stuff |
For BloggersJoin the Yardbarker Network (YBN) for more promotion, traffic, and money. |
Company Info |
Help |
What is Yardbarker?Yardbarker is the largest network of sports blogs and pro athlete blogs on the web. This site is the hub of the Yardbarker Network, where our editors and algorithms curate the best sports content from our network and beyond. |
