Game 15: Someone bring me a bucket

At some point in tonight's 4-1 loss to Florida, TSN's Pierre McGuire used the term "bad puck management" to describe the Leafs.

I think it was in the second period. It might have been the third. Tough to say, really, since by then I was sprawled supine on my daughter's Strawberry Shortcake mat and wearing my wife's Pure Relaxation 1000 eye-gel mask.

Anyhow, here are some other terms we can now safely add to the McGuire lexicon: "bad desire," "bad finishing," "bad backchecking," "bad pinching," "bad shooting," "bad passing," "bad energy," "bad luck," "bad opportunities," and just plain "bad."

Bad, Leafs! Bad, boys! Bad!

What in God’s name is going on here? Why does this team even bother taking sticks on the ice? Why not just wear top hats and silk gloves and skate around with jazz hands?

At least that would be vaguely entertaining.

After 15 games last season, the Leafs record was 3-7-5. After 15 games this season, the Leafs record is 5-7-3.

Two points. TWO POINTS. The year-over-year gain for this rebuilt team is two-freakyass-points from The Great Disaster of ’09? Are you kidding me?

And you know what?

Last year, the team was never shutout in its first 15 games – not once. This year, the team has been shutout THREE TIMES. And if Mikhail Grabovski hadn't one-timed a shot past Florida's Tomas Vokoun at 13:35 of the third tonight, it would have been FOUR TIMES.

You know things have lurched well past grim when opposition fans can be seen yawning seconds after their team scores: "Oh, did we get one? That's nice. Are these other guys okay? They don't look so good. When does this game end? I want to get home and catch-up on Mad Men."

The Leafs offence is so unfathomably, impossibly anemic right now that, as the game grinded onward, McGuire even sounded bored. Usually he sounds like a braying jackal. But near the end, as my heart ached, as my eyes tingled from the mask, McGuire sounded as if someone shot him in the throat with a tranquilizer dart.

We've now had two droughts that rival anything in the Sahara.

The first one was, what, about 167 minutes between goals? This most recent one was, let’s see, about 142 minutes? That adds up to more than 5 hours of game time without scoring. How is this possible at the professional level? I'm pretty sure I could centre a line between my mom and dad and put up better numbers.

People, I feel sick. I apologize for my exasperation. I'm sorry for SHOUTING. I bid you and yours a peaceful night.

Last one to bed, please remember to turn off the lights.

PHOTO: STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

Comments

[J.E.Y]

To be a sports fan in Toronto is all about living with "bad". The Leafs and the Raptors are mirror images for ineptness. The Argos have made the playoffs but every fan knows that four quarters of "bad" await; then the Argos can take their place in the mirrored hall of horrors that also includes the TFC. (Its as if someone has built the most dastardly midway attraction ever conceived). It's more than "bad" it's sad - look back over at least four decades and its bad, bad bad everywhere.
My dream before I die is to see one Toronto professional franchise rise to seriously compete for a championship for two consecutive seasons. The excitement would be delicious. However I know I kid myself. So I shrink from my dream to find I'm standing in front of a mirror - I look myself in the eye and scold "give your head a shake you fool". Then I move on to pursue realistic goals.

[victor]

What pile of garbage. I am so tire of the great collapse year after year. Brian Burke is disgusted that the fans booed Phaneuf well shut your pie hole Burke and get to work, It is niot the fans who are the problem and who you should be disguted with. I just want a team I can cheer for and read about their accomplishments in the paper. Instead it is always about the short comings and the management and thin line the coach treads, and the board greed. That is why it is fun at the beginning of the season, the stories have denegrated to crap yet. GIVE US SOMETHING PLEASE. THIS NEW CULTURE LOOKS A LOT THE OLD CULTURE

[Robert]

If you notice, every team the Leafs play have a system to move the puck - out of their own end and into the Leaf end. Toronto has not shown any consistent puck movement this year. That, folks, is the coaching staff. The 'D' are not that hard to play against. The goal tenders are playing reasonably well for a team with no starch. But, the forwards are a puzzle unto themselves. Children in atom and peewee exhibit better breakout potential than these highly paid players. They say you always blame the coach, well, Wilson has been here long enough to establish a system, new players or not. As for McGuire, 'unbelievable'. Right Pierre.

[Boo Boo Bear]

I haven't read the game story yet, but looking forward to the quotes of, "We have to be better. We really need to get things going. Everybody needs to get the jar of Windex out and take a good look at ourselves in the mirror."
Is Ronnie still miffed about what his players are doing wrong?
Could someone please identify which coach or coaches are "in charge" of working on the powerplay? Awful. They don't even know how to get into the other team's end. Do they bother to look at video of successful teams' powerplays?
When is the next home game? I'm sure the "Goodbye Ronnie" signs will be waving in the upper decks in full force by then, while the suits in the premium seats will still be there, yawning like the Florida fans. That is, until after the first intermission, when they don't return to their seats, but rather stay out in the lounge area to watch the Habs' game on the big screen.

[PJ88]

Very interesting comparison of last year's first 15 games and this year's. The closer you look, the more this squad looks like a disaster. DISASTER. Brian Burke has totally miscast Kessel and Phaneuf as frontline saviours, which they ain't. He has destroyed this team for at least another decade or so. Thanks, Bri.

[Pyramid Power]

GOLF LEAFS GOLF!

[Ryan]

Check List for Burke...

1. Fire Ron Wilson (Bite the bullet and fire a friend)

2. Send people to the minors or make them sit in the press box. (The Leafs can afford it)

3. Fire the short Bald buy behind the bench... He has been around the Leafs too long.

4. Make a drastic trade. Shake things up

5. JAY ROSEHILL... he doesn't half ass any shift.

[marick22]

I love this post. Great job!
Burke and Wilson are delusional about this team's talent. What I find astounding is that this team, "so different" than last year's, suffers the same problem of lack of motivation and complete laziness out there. Come on, Burke... Wilson has nothing to do with that? Fire this s--t coaching staff!
Delusion. Pure delusion. They call Bozak a #1 centre and expect him to play like one. Hello? It's Tyler Bozak. For chrissakes...
I must say again, this was a great article to read! :)

[Whodiss]

Is that photo of the bucket of pucks they received from Atlanta in return for Antropov?

[nick]

At the beginning of the 2008-09 season, The Chicago Blackhawks fired Denis Savard after four games in spite of taking a team that were young and terrible and making them a 3rd place team. Joel Quenville took over and they won the cup. Ron Wilson has had 3 seasons in Toronto, and each year is an abject failure. At what point is Wilson's job no longer "safe"?

[ZACK]

The leaf's management gaveaway some good hockey players such as Ian white, Dominic moore, Kubina etc, Our goalies SUCKS BIG TIME!!!!

[Nice Dreams]

Here's how bad it is for the Leafs, Vinay. One of your colleagues at the Star, said this in his game story that's in the online edition:

"Allen scored in the first, Steven Reinprecht on the power play in the second and Shawn Matthias...in the third. Michael Frolik scored on the power play in the third. Tomas Vokoun picked up his third career shutout vs. Toronto."

Vokoun didn't get a shutout, it was a 4-1 final!!
Your poor reporter likely had his story pretty much completely written after the Panthers made it 2-0 in the 2nd and was just waiting for the inevitable, just assuming, like the rest of us, that the Leafs were not going to score! How could anyone blame him?!

[John Silva]

I can not even begin to express my frustration with the Maple Leaf organization. Ever since I was old enough to understand hockey, the leafs seem to always be on this failing cycle. The recipe to success is easy and proven. If you are going to suck for a few years and rebuild a team, then make sure you finish last and get the first round picks for the next few years. You can then build your team around this or these players and add value to the club should you decide to trade them. Look at Colorado, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay....etc. What do the leafs do? They trade away their first round picks for washed up, 2nd and 3rd line have beens that are past their prime and then trade them for pennies on the dollar. And loyal leafs fans support this crap. Unbelievable!

[leafland'r]

On air, it was said that the Leafs, at least, have 20 fewer goals against them. They have an improved defence. Wait, not so quick, does anybody remember what's-his-name from Finland in goal last October/November? The factors in the math equation indicate that NOTHING has improved.

[Geoff Read]

I've said several times before that I'm not surprised this team is doing badly because they're way too thin up front - but I'll allow that I am surprised that a Brian Burke assembled Ron Wilson coached team appears to be just rolling over for the opposition. Something has clearly gone horribly wrong in the Leafs dressing room.

[Kyle4]

Three points:

-Fantastic write-up as always, I look forward to it after each game now.

-Wilson should be fired, Burke being his friend is getting in the way of everything. He might be the most negative coach ever. The guy trash talks his team constantly.

-The only thing worse than the Leafs performance this game was Pierre McGuire's commentary. Someone needs to remind him for the thousandth time that he's colour commentary when he's obnoxiously speaking over the lead play and giving inane facts about which college a player went to. Why are you talking when Florida is shooting at the net?

[Pyramid Power]

@Geoff Read "Something has clearly gone horribly wrong in the dressing room." I agree in full.
Gawd only knows what has happened in that room and with this team, but I wish some enterprising Toronto journalist would go out there and find out thru one of his or her sources.
Vinay? Think you can get someone to talk off the record as to what is happening in that dressing room?

[Mo]

Brian Burke has to be the most overrated GM in the NHL. His success in Anahiem was mainly due to Murray's and Gauthier's drafting of players, obviously something Burke knows nothing about. The Phil Kessel trade is already a disaster and Boston still has a first round pick in their pockets to use. Phaneuf is a decent 3 or 4th defenceman making 6 million dollars. Komisarek is a 5 or 6 defenceman making 4 million dollars. The Leafs have no top 6 forwards in talent besides Kessel. Brian Burke has continued the tradition of making the Leafs a non Stanely Cup contenders.

[Jonny Mel]

After 35 years of being a dedicated leafs fan....I am at rock bottom , this is the worst team I have ever watched . This morning I dismantled my leafs shrine and put it away in a rubbermade container . I would like to do an experiment.....let the AHL team play in the NHL and vise versa . The thought of losing another first or second overall pick for Kessell turns my stomach .
What are we to do as leaf fans.....someone help I am about to pull the trigger .

[Carlos]

@J.E.Y.: You may be too young to remember, but the Jays competed for the championship of MLB in the early 90s and won the World Series twice in a row (1992 and 1993). The Leafs were pretty good back then as well. The Argos even won the Grey Cup in 1991, 1996, 1997, and 2004. It was a grand time. I feel old now.

Out of all the Toronto teams, the Jays look to be the best bet to be a championship contender in the next couple of years, based on their patient and fixed approach to return to winning. Otherwise you are right though - the last 5 years in Toronto has meant learning to live with "bad" for our professional sports teams. If Wilson and Burke want the Leafs to compete every year like the Red Wings, they've got a long, long way to go.

[We BeLeaf]

Apparently there was a 'players only' meeting that was held pre-game. I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall to find out what was discussed. My guess is one of two things...1.) Are we going to go out there and give it all we have and leave it all on the ice? 2.) Do you think we should drop every game until the coach gets fired? We know number one didn't work....

[Denial]

Weather from the Planet Disengagement: Peace, with a 20% chance of Bliss.

I am sorry that the Leafs lost; not for them, and *certainly* not for Wilson and Burke (the former I find insufferable, the latter merely disingenuous) , but for the fans who deserve something better. And by something better, I mean...like Minnesota Wild something better. Atlanta Thrashers something better. New York Islanders something better. I don't mean *seriously* something better. I mean, I'm not on crack.

But I can tell you that the last two nights, instead of boring angry holes through the TV and getting bored back by the crap on the screen, I watched a movie on Tuesday, and last night I walked my dogs for an extra hour because it's getting cold and I want to get some equity in my guilt account for -10 December and January winds.

But the joy of not being personally, emotionally attached to this team was just...delightful is the word I keep using. Again, it's not anti-Leafism. That is not much different than pro-Leafism. It's just passion turned on its head. This is totally, qualitatively different. It's disengagement.

And I can tell you "from the outside" that one of the reasons it's so easy to disengage from this team is because, seriously people, are there ANY genuinely likeable people on this team? I'm not saying that they're all evil. But do you like any of them? I find Wilson obnoxious and needlessly confrontational. Burke is pointless to listen to -- he's like a doll with a wind up string. His "we didn't do this in Vancouver" thing was also a new low. Not only do Vancouver fans *devour* their team and slice them up like no other city I know, but this isn't Vancouver. And besides, he didn't even win in Vancouver.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Burke would make a good commissioner, but he's no a good GM. Why? Because he's more concerned about his legacy than he is about winning. He bumps into his 'principles' too much, and has a tedious knack of implying (or outright accusing) other GMs of being unprincipled for trying to win within the rules. Burke would make a good neighbor. Maybe even a good mayor. A hell of a Lion's Club chairman. But GM? No. Anaheim was an exception. Give me Neidermeyer and Pronger on the ice for 30 minutes a game, Giugere at his peak, Selanna up front, Carlyle behind the bench, and ZERO expectations and media pressure, and I'll take the Ducks to at least the conference finals.

Wheeeeeee.....

[PrinceLH]

For the first time, earlier this year, I took out my Maple Leafs licensed merchandise. I got to use it for about two weeks and now it is back in the closet. It took 6 years, to get me to wear it again and two weeks to ditch it. By the time I wear it again, it should be called vintage licensed merchandise, because this Hindenburg isn't turning around any decade soon.

[Gord]

Foolishly I have been a fan of the Leafs for ...............yikes, 55 years. Do any of you remember when they were good? Unlikely! I have had it with all the analysis and excuses and talk and talk. It is way beyond my understanding why the franchise is still one of the most profitable, why fans still go to their games, why I have stayed loyal this long. Until the product gets a lot better on a fairly consistent basis I am out of here. Would someone please notify me when that time comes. Until then.............lost interest.

[Pyramid Power]

@We BeLeaf Bingo! I too would have loved to have heard what was said during that meeting. Brutal.
Must have been a very painful flight home.
Hope the Leafs are up and skating with no pucks right now as punishment. Tomorrow too. Maybe they need some tough love?
I have no solutions although I do like the idea of bringing up Rosehill to inject some energy and passion into this team.

[Billy41]

Great comments. Only one comment jakals are not known for braying, however asses are.

[Chad]

Cox wrote in another article that we basically have to look forward to 2013, when we'll have a 25 year old Kessel, a 23 year old Kadri, and our first round picks from 2012 and 2013 (whomever they may be)......
And of course by that time the Bruins will have won how many Cups? D'OH!!

[We BeLeaf]

Hey PP, always glad to read your posts, but I'm beginning to see the frustration in you build as of late, yet not entirely unwarranted. What would be proper punishment for their play? Drilling them for hours on end with or without pucks will soon prove a futile act. Remember that they started camp early just to be 'ahead of the pack' and all the players could start to gel quicker. Are they tired out already? I think not. I am beginning to think that the players are not buying into the system, or do not want to play for Wilson, or cannot handle the pressure of wearing the Blue & White, or possibly all of the above. The second half of last season they started playing fairly decent. Many would say that because the season was already out of reach, it didn't matter. So what's different between then and now? The answers are already prefaced by my questions above...although I hope I am wrong.
Cheers to you my friend and all Leafs Nation

[Pyramid Power]

@We BeLeaf Great post. Who knows what the problems are on this team aside from the obvious ones that we can't score, can't kill penalties, can't score on the PP, can't play competent defence, can't win shootouts, can't make clutch saves when needed and so on and so forth? We're wretched!
This must be murdering Brian Burke. I look for a lot of upheaval and change coming very, very soon if Toronto continues to lose which I fully expect they will commencing on Saturday against Vancouver.
The players are pros, they should be playing with pride and passion and dignity if only for themselves if they have tuned out Wilson. It is unacceptable to lie down because you don't dig what your coach is selling.

Cheers to you, and to all fellow suffering citizens of Leaf Nation.
@Denial Disengagement. I was somehow blissfully disengaged myself last night for the most part. The loss hurt me, and caused pain and angst but nothing like Buffalo last Saturday. Am slowing but surely not letting this team get to me, but continue to watch. Have not reached your level of disentanglement yet, and very much doubt I ever will.

[Kolchak]

Hilarious, Vinay! I loved the image of you with the eye gel mask on to soothe your aching eyes! : )

[Geoff Read]

Daniel, you make an interesting point about likability. The Leafs have been bad before, obviously, but even as a Habs fan there were always a few Leafs around I cheered for. Sundin was a class act and a great player, for example. Doug Gilmour was one of the best players in the league in his prime; and you had to admire Wendel Clark's enthusiasm. On this current team, while there are some players I like, there is no one who engenders the kind of loyalty that those players did. I like Komisarek for example - he seems like a good guy who tries his best - but he's not the kind of guy you tune in to watch play in his own right, and neither are any of the other Leafs. So when things go bad, as they are right now, what's left to cheer for? Why bother to tune in?

[stephen smith]

Just remember that one of those wins should not have happened... goalie interference and a penalty should have been assessed. The Leafs are not making any significant progress... either in the standings or in building for the future.

[Geoff Read]

As an addendum to my last comment: I will say that I usually enjoy watching Kaberle play - he is so smart with the puck. But I'm not sure I'd watch a game just to see him.

[big mike]

i'd rather watch a fuzzy white and black tv screen than watch the leafs.

[Wb]

That's what happens when the "saviour" decides to hold a news conference touting truculence and belligerence. Unfortunately, in Burke's "equal measures" speech, he forgot finishing, skating and skill. This isn't Slap Stick, you need fast, skilled players in this NHL. His Anaheim team may have been physical, but it was also a very skilled team. The Leafs obviously are not, and we will be handing Boston another top 3 pick this year. If that happens, Burke should be fired.

[Jason]

The country club still exists... It has just changed from a players club to a managers club!

[Krakondack]

I felt there was some sort of turning point when the Leafs lost their first, and this blog touted how they might have lost, but "how" they lost was nonetheless good. It made me sick because I somehow saw that attitude leading to today. That was undoubtedly irrelevant to the latest streak, but if you keep your eyes open to begin with, you won't be calling for a bucket when reality hits you on the head.

[Dave]

Is it ok if we boo now Brian?

[Russell Gordon]

I say the Jays make the playoffs again before the Leafs do. Any takers?

[Andy Knetsch]

Sorry Brian, but Leaf Nation HAS a right to complain and complain with gusto for the current pride/hard work/team play/drive/skill is JUST not evident. One more thought- why so many shots from the wings? Isn't there a position called "centre" as well?

[Nik Culoman]

To all the whinning posters to this blog....I own a store which sells noose.....and Ankle support bands for all the bandwagon jumping on and off...Leaf fans are sadder than the team....The minute things go bad they jump off and want to have a public lynching of every man, woman and child....When they are winning and the bandwagon is about to tip over with fans parade routes are being planned down every major street in Toronto.

Stop being so emotional, get over it...Move on.....This team was nothing before Burke and Wilson ever arrived here! To all you of you complaining now about Burke/ Wilson...Where would this team be had Sundin just waived his NTC?? Where would the leafs be with Jeff Carter on a line with Kessel??? Thank Kaberle for that one...All the while The Muskoka five were each screwing the team over ( because they loooveee this team so much), we could have made some huge steps forward. All you bleeding heart fans wanted these chumps and no talent clowns to stay....After this year...all if not most leave this team, and we have nothing to show for it!

Burke inherited a team of nothing.......Our farm system had nothing and the big club had no life and were old sad sack of vetrans taking in paycheques. Yes, this young is struggling but who truly thought we would have anything more than where we find ourselves now?? You the fans do it to yourself!! You set wayyyy toooo high expectations on a team who is going through transition. Did you really think the ship would have been righted after 2 years??

Now look at the minors, we have some guys with talent that could step up and play on the big club. I say, give Burke a chance...Have some patience......For those of you that can't rationally think...The nooses and Ankle support bands are selling out quick at my store...

SO COME ONE, COME ALL!

[Kate]

As an Ottawa Senators fan (although they've had their share of slumps) this didn't make me relish the Leafs' failure as I expected, but made me feel kind of sad for their poor poor fans. Sure, I want the Sens to triumph over the Leafs (again) this year, but I don't want us to do it because they crashed and burned. Give us a little competition!

Also, you're are an incredibly funny and honest writer. I quite literally laughed out loud, so thank you.

Here's hoping things improve [but not too too much ;) ]

[Hopeless]

This might sound strange, but I think that Mr. Anthopolous would have been a better choice of GM. Sure, he probably knows next to nothing about hockey, but he does have a lot of common sense. He understands that in order to build a winner you need time and talent -- young talent, built through the draft. As a Jays' fan, I have hope. As a leaf fan, I have none. No matter what happens this year, the leafs will be watching Boston cement their future with two more first rounders. This means that if we finish in the bottom five next year, we will have our first chance to draft high. Interestingly, Mr. Kessel will have only 2 years left on his contract. So, by the time our next first rounder actually reaches the big club, Kessel could potentially be long gone. As I said, no hope.

[michael nierman]

Hey, its all natural ...its fall and leafs are falling...duh!

[chuck]

so let me see how the leafs compare to vancouver

talent vs no talent....the sedins, Kesler, Burrows, Erhoff.hamuis..and luongo.....oh boy where we start 3 deep lines all better than the leafs first line....a smart but quiet gm--somewhat like holland in Detroit and the leafs have motor mouth burke---whose contract was not renewed in Vancouver....lest we forget....you leaf fans can stay up late and watch some winners....

[Michael]

Well... the only way things will change is if the Leafs are hurt at the bank... so my suggestion to the NHL is to consider adoption of the relegation system used in the English Premier Football League.. simply, the 4 teams that finish with the lowest total points in a season are "relegated" to a lower league, and the 4 top teams from the lower league are awarded a place in the NHL.. this repeats every year.. strong incentive to play decent hockey and a reward for teams in the second level league.... This would get the attention of the Leaf's owners and management.