When losing feels like a kick in the face

Good morning, Leafs Nation. And welcome to... A Leafs Fan Drinks.

I hope you remembered to turn back your clocks. Me, I've already blown my extra hour of daylight savings time trying to purge last night's horrific spectacle from my long-term memory.

Seriously, what the hell was that?

It's not just losing to Buffalo that stings like malt vinegar on a head wound. It's the way this team rolled over and died: No energy. No drive. No purpose.

We could probably analyze game tape and come up with 50 different questions about defensive coverage or the lack of transition or the fact nobody is passing the puck anymore.

But here are two questions that are driving me batty this morning:

1. Who Abducted Phil Kessel?

In his first 8 games, the guy was on fire: 7 goals, 2 assists, 3.5 shots per game. Then he went to Boston on October 28 to play against his former team and Tyler Seguin. While in Beantown, apparently, the real Phil Kessel was abducted at gunpoint and the Leafs are now dressing an imposter.

In the last five games – or 38 per cent of the season thus far – this Fake Phil Kessel has scored 0 goals, assisted on 0 goals and given Leaf fans 1 million causes for concern.

It's as if Fake Phil Kessel is skating in quicksand. He's not getting open, not getting quality chances. His shots-per-game average has dipped under 3. He's tripping over phantom obstacles. He's ragging the puck and turning it over or making low-percentage passes on the power play.

This is crazy. When will the real Phil Kessel return?

2. Why was Nikolai Kulemin missing from the shootout?

Okay, we mucked-up a 2-0 goal lead at home. We let the lowly Sabres even this snoozefest of a game with 13 seconds left in the third.

Granted, all of this is stunning. But here's what I find even more stunning than all of this: Ron Wilson did not use Nikolai Kulemin in the shootout.

I mean, what? He has three goals in the last three games. Right now, he's easily the most dangerous Leaf in the offensive zone. I know this is like saying he's the tallest man at a little people convention but still.

He can pick corners and deke. He's fast. He can trick a goalie using nothing more than his shifty eyes. In other words, he's exactly the kind of guy you want in a shootout.

What am I missing? Is there some technical reason Kulemin was not one of the first three Leafs shooters, if not the first?

Sigh.

Tomorrow is another day, people. Tomorrow is another day. This is what I keep teling my bottle of Grey Goose.

PHOTO: FRED THORNHILL/REUTERS

Comments

[Louie]

Phil Kessel wasn't abducted. He was returned. The Phil Kessel of the first eight games was the impostor. Burke's moves look worse and worse every day.

[Jeff]

Come on folks, this is not a Kessel problem! This is a TEAM problem. Some of these pretenders do NOT want to play with the big boys.
Two of the worst teams in the NHL 'performed' last nite, the entertainment value was a BIG ZERO! How can these guys look in the mirror after a demonstration of utter futility last nite? Neither of these teams is going ANYWHERE unless some fundamental changes are made. Brian are you listening? Do it before the season is lost.

[Kyle4]

I've always found it bizarre how these good players perform so poorly on the Leafs. It's as if the team is cursed. Either that or its just Ron Wilson, the guy always looks miserable. He even looked sad during the ceremony before the game!

There are players for the Leafs that have performed very well after being traded, but it doesn't work the other way around. Dion Phaneuf has been very lacklustre and now Kessel is under performing. I don't think there's much else that can be done with this team.

[John]

I love grey goose !

I also find many Leaf fans are sooo typical when the team loses. Yep, fire Burke and Wison and start over... soooo laughable ! Burke knows there are pieces still to add and do u not think he is as mad or angrier than anyone about lasts night's loss ! My guess is he will have a centre traded for, before christmas.

At least we have a gm who is willing to take chances to improve the team. Most gm's do nothing ! Burke will not panic but he will ALWAYS be looking to improve the team ! I didnt see any posts calling for his head after game 4 or 5 ??

This team will be ok, they've got points in their last 2 and maybe a good road trip is what they need...

[MikeZ]

I'd also like to know why Wilson insists on giving Versteeg ice time.

[Earl Dunbar]

"Why was Nikolai Kulemin missing from the shootout?"

Because Ron Wilson is the coach. Or did someone else make that call?

I rest my case. Again.

[Hoofheartz]

There seems to be a recurring theme in these posts and his name is Ron Wilson. We never really saw what a truly useless coach he was and is until he joined the Leafs. Sad to say I spent more time watching the Sens/Habs game on RDS rather than watch the pathetic spectacle on CBC. One other note, may we please be spared anymore of these boring pre-game ceremonies?

[PJ88]

Nice to see Brian Burke once again blasting the fans in Paul Hunter's Sunday story about "Ronnie" Wilson's job security. Maybe 'the marketplace,' to quote Burke, should start wondering about the GM's future. Seriously, why is he running a sports management conference instead of working the phone lines after the Buffalo disaster? Doesn't he realize how much work needs to be done? After two years, Brian Burke has crafted the worst-performing edition of this franchise since the 1980s... and he blames the fans for their frustration? I loved Brian Burke six months ago; can't stand him now. Am I alone here?

[johnnyk]

How much longer until the players tune out Wilson?
He'll be gone by February is my guess.

[Moe Green]

How dare Brian Burke question our criticism of the coach. Now he's starting to annoy me a little! Check that, a lot. Sorry but yes I did see Wilson "play badly" last night. Where was Kulemin in the shootout? Where was Grabovski? Isn't it partly the coach's problem when a team as a whole plays badly? Isn't the coach responsible for a losing streak. If not, what is the coach there for? Is he just cosmetic? Look I can go into the room and say "score at ;least one more than the opposition tonight guys." Is that what we expect from Ron Wilson? Is the rest up to the players?

[Moe Green]

Here's a little pure unfounded near libelous opinion to which I'd really love a response.

Burke got the gig at MLSE by selling the board on the concept of a different kind of rebuild: The kind of rebuild where you never tank, make the playoffs every year, increase profits every year and eventually, maybe, probably compete for the cup at some future date. Maybe.

Does it work? Depends on what you mean by "work." Does it make even huger profits for MLSE? Yes. Does it sell more merchandise? Indubitably. Does it satisfy fans that winning really is a priority-ish thingy for MLSE? If it works, yes. Ultimately though, it doesn't really matter. Burke's, a guy who talks a good game but really could care less about the franchise the city or it's fans. After all, it's just the minor leagues, it's just Canada.

This job is a dress rehearsal for his next gig as GM or the Boston Bruins or maybe the New York Rangers. Conflict of interest? Not one that lawyer-Burke fears would hold up in a court of law. After all, Burke didn't disguise the fact that he came here "to be in the same time zone as his family." How heartwarming. Kinda stirs the ol' cockles huh. And somehow Cliff Fletcher (he of the Jeff Finger contract and Lee Stempniak for Alex Steen AND Carlo Colaiacovo fame) avoids League discipline when he hires Burke's good friend Ron Wilson months before Burke becomes a Leaf.

For Burke, and Wilson for that matter, is this just a huge money grab and a chance to try out some things in the minors before they move back to the big leagues in the U.S. of Aye? Cynical? Could any self-respecting, marginally sentient Leaf fan be anything but? Like I said, he talks a good game, with his "Vatican of Hockey" crap and would never admit it even to himself, but Burke is just here for the beer.

If I am right about this, and of course it's pure conjecture, how much longer do we sit by and watch Burke and Wilson get fat while our precious Leafs burn? The real question is: How much longer will MLSE swallow the Burke-malarkey? My guess is, unfortunately, as long as they continue to make record profits.

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling a little "had" right about now. Time for us fans to demonstrate a little "truculence, testosterone and tenacity" to Burke and Wilson. Let's try a little "Thank You Burke" and/or "Thank You Wilson" at the next Leaf game. Why should THEY get a free ride. Oh that would be sweet. Might even pick up team morale? Wouldn't that be an eye-opener.

[Vincent]

I agree. Kulemin should have been chosen for the shootout. I like Kabby, but if you have to pick a defenceman over your forwards for a shootout, what does that say about the coach's confidence in the forwards.
Everyone from the goaltending to the defence and forwards have to get better.
Ron Wilson' has got to get a bit more angry at the Leafs players and kick some butt. Burke does need to make a move to get a better scoring forward and to shake this team up. If the players keep hearing that everything is fine and it just takes time, then there is little incentive for them to play better. Sometimes a butt kick is in order!

[r]

Kulemin has been playing well but he sucks at shootout... just look at his attempt last game against washington.... seriously...

[Chad]

the Leafs have always sucked in the shootout. time and time again we sit back and watch as player after player skates down the middle of the ice and shoots right into the goalies pads. can i get paid $1 million to do that please?
no creativity, no imagination......no win.

[Al]

Save the Grey Goose.. this team doesn't deserve anything costing $40 for a 26'er.

Moe Green.... new conspiracy. I like.

[Ari]

Honestly the management is sending the wrong message to the team and its fans. There's a reason why coaches get the wrath when their team falters; it's called keeping the group positive. Blame the players...lose the room. Keep this up, they will be sending ANOTHER top pick to the Bruins, which so far totals Rask and Seguin.

Threaten trades? Who's going to trade with the Leafs safe for Kaberle or Schenn?? Is there anyone really out there who is clamouring for the Leafs' starters??? Gimme a break.

Hearing the coach and GM call out their top line can't be effective. Why? We've seen it last year and what happened!? I can't tell you how many times I've cringed with some of Wilson's comments about his players when things are going bad. He needs to go...and if GM Burke wants to put his neck on the line for a coach who has not won at any level, so be it. He'll be next.

www.habsfaninleafland.blogspot.com

[B]

I am not a Leafs fan but I have commented here before. It truly is a tough time for everything Maple Leafs. I do feel your pain. I reach out to Pyramid Power and his fellow brethren to not jump ship quite yet. While I have voiced my displeasure for Brian Burke in the past I believe this team is better than in past years. I liked Ron Wilson when he was with San Jose and he is a good coach. I will say that Burke needs to go. No choice. Wilson will probably be let go before Christmas, which is a shame but Brian will do it to save face (and his job). Change the management and this team will thrive. Giving up on the Leafs is giving up on the players and we can never do that as fans. Hang tough guys....without a nemesis, what would we (Habs fans) do without you.