Now what?

Is the GM safe?

He brought in a lot of this roster, or signed them to long term contracts.

Are there any potential trades?

Who should be the new coach, and who will they hire as the new coach?
- Doppleganger

Leafs are probably going to go with the assistants until the offseason, when they know the status of Babcock

So yesterday I heard (on TSN) that Kessel was "asked" to switch wings for some reason that was not explained fully, but suspect in an attempt to juggle the lines and try something new because of the downward trend of late, or injures. But Kessel refused to do it.

And then they fire Coach today.
http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=747252
So does Kessel's refusal to switch wings have anything to do with it?

I don't know, but if a player is not willing to do what is asked by the Coach, it might have something to do with the firing, by confirming the Coach had lost the room perhaps?
- Doppleganger

totally fabricated. RC has always forced (even against their will) players (Both wingers and Dmen) to play their strong side.

I do not buy that (Story is from Bill watters, senile old coot) for a second.

totally fabricated. RC has always forced (even against their will) players (Both wingers and Dmen) to play their strong side.

I do not buy that (Story is from Bill watters, senile old coot) for a second.
- burn

It seemed to be true, as I saw Jeff O'Neil being interviewed on OTR, and there was almost a whole segment on Kessels' refusal to switch wings, as requested by the team, assuming that means the coaching staff.

It does seem that previous stories about Kessel being uncoachable might have some validity................

It seemed to be true, as I saw Jeff O'Neil being interviewed on OTR, and there was almost a whole segment on Kessels' refusal to switch wings, as requested by the team, assuming that means the coaching staff.

It does seem that previous stories about Kessel being uncoachable might have some validity................
- Doppleganger

The coach that apparently asked for it has repeatedly forced player to switch wings from where they are comfortable (and dmen) to be on their strong side. I do not believe they suddenly changed his stance and asked kessel to change to his off wing.


It's false.

@DarrenDreger 1m1 minute ago
Ongoing discussions between Todd Bertuzzi's agent Pat Morris and the Ottawa Senators over AHL tryout.

not sure theres a lot of science behind it
- the_cause2000

Dopes isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree either. His son is apparently a real dolt. He went to Carleton.

@DarrenDreger 1m1 minute ago
Ongoing discussions between Todd Bertuzzi's agent Pat Morris and the Ottawa Senators over AHL tryout.
- Pecafan Fan

well that settles it.....Senators OBVIOUSLY win now

Dopes isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree either. His son is apparently a real dolt. He went to Carleton.
- prock

- sensarmy_11

I'm smarter than you. Easily.

- sensarmy_11

I'm smarter than you. Easily.

I'm smarter than you. Easily.
- prock

sure you are prock, sure you are.

found your picture

sure you are prock, sure you are.

found your picture


- sensarmy_11

Gotta resort to pics

Gotta resort to pics
- prock

easier for smrt people like you to understand.

http://www.tsn.ca/video/l...n-t-rely-on-phil-1.176105

http://www.tsn.ca/video/leafs-lunch-wilson-you-can-t-rely-on-phil-1.176105
- Pecafan Fan

the irony of Wilson making comments like that. "Several coaches couldn't succeed with that core, and Kessel".

While true, you could just as easily say "Wilson couldn't succeed with several teams".

I feel like he's trying to justify his inability to do much with the team, and blame it on the players he was given. He's making excuses.

Fact is, he was a bad coach.

easier for smrt people like you to understand.
- sensarmy_11

Sure... Whatever floats your boat.

Was Lazar so great he was named to the tournament all-star team?

Hmm, no. that was McDavid.... Given an award for carrying Lazar.

Sure... Whatever floats your boat.

Was Lazar so great he was named to the tournament all-star team?

Hmm, no. that was McDavid.... Given an award for carrying Lazar.
- prock

such a sad attempt at trolling.....

such a sad attempt at trolling.....
- sensarmy_11

It's not trolling. It's the truth. I don't see what your issue is. The first comment you made was about his forechecking. That pretty much says it all.

It's not trolling. It's the truth. I don't see what your issue is. The first comment you made was about his forechecking. That pretty much says it all.
- prock

lazar is the goal scorer, always seems to be in the right place at the right time, banging in rebounds or sniping with a really good shot. hard on the forecheck to create turnovers.

it was actually the before last thing i said........i thought you were supposed to be SMRT

Dopes isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree either. His son is apparently a real dolt. He went to Carleton.
- prock

If I'm not so sharp, you're the dullest block in the wood shed.

Just look at the name you picked...... http://www.urbandictionar...com/define.php?term=Prock


Prock
A mix of the words prick and cock.

That was a prock move.

http://www.tsn.ca/video/leafs-lunch-wilson-you-can-t-rely-on-phil-1.176105
- Pecafan Fan

By Rob Longley, Toronto Sun

TORONTO - When Ron Wilson was fired as Leafs coach, then general manager Brian Burke said the team was like an 18-wheeler driving off a cliff.

On Tuesday, Wilson threw many of the current players under the bus - and especially the team’s leading scorer, Phil Kessel.

In an at-times scathing interview with TSN Radio, Randy Carlyle’s predecessor as Leafs coach called several players uncoachable and was sharp in his criticism of star Phil Kessel.

“Some of the core players have failed under two or three coaches so it’s got to be the player’s fault,” Wilson said on Leafs Lunch. “You’d have to surmise that some of them might be uncoachable.

“You never change a leopard’s spots. You paint over some of those spots, but they’ll eventually shine through the paint and that’s just too bad.”

Wilson had his most pointed criticism for Kessel and his up-and down ways.

Related: Pity former Leafs coach Carlyle, the team's scapegoat

“You can’t rely on Phil,” Wilson said. “When he’s not playing well, he’s a hard guy to get on board and get on your side. He shows obvious signs of brilliance but Phil’s problem - it’s pretty much the way he’s been through his career - he’s two weeks on and two weeks off.

“It’s just the way it is. He comes and goes and he gets emotional. He lets that effect his game and his relationship with other players. That’s what you have to coach.”​


Looks like the rumours swirling around him, in Boston, before the Bruins unloaded him on the leafs, had some substance to them.

Leafs’ Phil Kessel Is Asked If He’s Uncoachable, Calls Reporter ‘An Idiot’



When Kessel faced reporters later Tuesday, Toronto Star writer Dave Feschuk asked him if he believed he was uncoachable. “I don’t think so. That’s a weird question for you to ask,” Kessel responded. “You think it’s my fault? Is that what you’re saying? Is that what you’re saying? Is that what you’re saying? OK …” Feschuk went back at Kessel: “I’m asking a question. Are you difficult to coach, do you think?” “I don’t think so. I play, eh?” Kessel quipped. After that feisty little exchange, presumably a Leafs PR person decided it was time to end Kessel’s availability. That’s when things got real good. “This guy’s such an idiot here,” a smiling Kessel said as reporters started to leave his stall. “He’s always been like this.” Good times in Toronto. You can see the full interaction here. http://www.tsn.ca/video/k...nk-it-s-my-fault-1.176130





Read more at: http://nesn.com/2015/01/p...lls-reporter-idiot-video/

Leafs’ Phil Kessel Is Asked If He’s Uncoachable, Calls Reporter ‘An Idiot’



- Doppleganger

wow good for Phil
what kind of an idiot asks that question?

wow good for Phil
what kind of an idiot asks that question?
- senstroll

I think it was a good question.

I think it was a good question.
- Pecafan Fan

Not really. It’s a pretty stupid question, because honestly, what kind of answer do you expect? What kind of quote are you going to get for print.

On top of that, it stemmed from Wilson’s axe grinding comments. As I said elsewhere, Wilson is trying to deflect blame for getting fired, IMO. Thing is, he was a terrible coach. He really was. He can talk about the Leafs players failing under two or three coaches, but the fact is, he’s failed with several teams.

Further, Wilson never named Kessel specifically, and in fact, in the interview, mentioned that he felt would be able to win with Kessel. Feschuck made the leap from Wilson claiming there was an issue with the players to “you’re the best player so he must be talking about you.” He gave that logic as his reasoning. When you think about it, that’s a very ridiculous leap. The former coach says there is an issue with the players, so he must be talking about their best one. Silly, don’t you think?