On The Same Page

"We will make the playoffs and compete for the Stanley Cup."
--Former Leaf head coach Paul Maurice, Sept. 14, 2007.

"If you asked us if you were to pay for a Stanley Cup team this year but you were to be lousy for the next five years would you do it? The answer from an ownership point of view, absolutely not."
--MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum, Sept. 26, 2008

""Win this year and then next five years be last? For sure I'll take it."
--Leaf defenceman Pavel Kubina, Sept. 26, 2008.

"Wins and losses don't matter."
--New Leaf head coach Ron Wilson, Oct. 6, 2008

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Not hard to see why people get confused.

The concepts, objectives and goals around the Maple Leafs are like shifting sands, more now than ever before. Clearly, much has changed in a calendar year, and while Ron Wilson was clearly being honest and straightforward through his "wins and losses don't matter" mantra for the season, that's not going to be easy for proud, veteran players to ingest before an 82-game season even starts.

It's a little different than "Win One for the Gipper" or "You Gotta Believe."

The concept of a slow, painful re-build is a noble one, one that should be supported after years of quick fixes and patches. When Wilson says "you guys can't be all out there bleating and writing in your papers that this team needs to bottom out and get high draft picks and build and then turn around and say they better win or else," he's sure not reading the right papers. There's nobody in town, really, suggesting the Leafs are pursuing an incorrect strategy by starting at the bottom again. Go ahead. If there's a commentator in the city who is arguing the Leafs should be trying to win now and make the playoffs, I'd like to know the name.

So it's certainly not the stated aspirations of the Leafs with which folks disagree.

It's how they go about it. And whether they have the internal discipline and sense of direction to get it done, not to mention the corporate will to get it done. Tanenbaum's pre-season comments, for sure, raised many an eyebrow, as did the apparent willingness of the front office to trade away next year's first round pick already to land an appealing but older prospect after trading off eight other draft picks over the past five months.

If Wilson thinks nobody's going to have an opinion about his team's methods, he's wrong. If he's hoping the scores don't get reported in the papers, or hoping nobody will say his team has played a bad game after it has played a bad game, he's wrong as well.

But nobody is saying "win or else," that's for sure.

Even last year, most media people and fans saw Maurice's comments for what they were, a fairly transparent effort to breathe some confidence into his squad.

But a forever hopeful Leaf fan would have reason to wonder why his or her team was trying to win the Cup last year, and now isn't even worried about winning any games at all, while the team's chairman apparently isn't willing to pursue the ultimate prize in the game if significant sacrifice goes along with it. The players are, just not the suits.

Oh yes, and the current GM is in power until, uh, when? Next week or next June or indefinitely. Yet interim/non-interim Cliff Fletcher is the one deciding that Luke Schenn must start in the NHL this season, again ignoring all the history of this team and the obvious reality that life for an 18-year-old NHL defenceman in Toronto is enormously different than for the same player in St. Louis, Atlanta and Los Angeles. It's nice that Alex Pietrangelo, Zach Bogosian and Drew Doughty get to start in the NHL this fall, but that has no bearing on the Leafs and Schenn, or should have no bearing. Nobody will even notice what those kids are doing right or wrong in those towns, while Schenn is going to find out what life is like under the microscope. Sure Scott Stevens broke in successfully as an 18-year-old blueliner in Washington a lifetime ago, but c'mon, nobody was even watching those Caps back then. Stevens could've shot the puck into his own net every night and it wouldn't have been even a note anywhere else.

Right now, you could have a spirited debate over which young Canadian-born defenceman, Dion Phaneuf, Marc Staal or Braydon Coburn, might be the first to win the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman. These guys are all that good.

Well, Phaneuf played four years of junior and moved into the NHL at age 20. Staal played four years of junior and entered the bigs at age 20. Coburn played five years of junior and was a semi-regular at age 21.

But these Leafs know better with a Kelowna youngster who was a second team WHL all-star a year ago in his third junior season and doesn't turn 19 until next month?

Rushing a kid is a slow, disciplined, patient re-build?

Wilson's right. It's not about wins and losses right now. It's about the decisions the team makes, and whether they dovetail with some kind of logical growth plan.

But Fletcher and Wilson have made their choice, and it sure would be terrific  to watch Schenn become the first 18-year-old rearguard in Leaf history to flourish immediately. Nobody wants to see Schenn fail, certainly not me. When I receive emails suggesting that I just disagree with whatever the Leafs do, or want the team to be unsuccessful, it is to laugh.

Clearly, 41 years of losing and being in the predicament they are now means they generally make the wrong decisions. When they start making better ones, I'll agree more often, I'm sure.

Otherwise, it's the same old story. Been there, got the t-shirt.

 

 

Comments

[Conn Smythe]

'Sure Scott Stevens broke in successfully as an 18-year-old blueliner in Washington a lifetime ago, but c'mon, nobody was even watching those Caps back then.'

A lifetime ago? You make it seem like no other 18 year old has broken into the NHL as a defenceman since. If bringing up Scott Stevens as an example is wrong or irrelevant, why are your examples of Gary Nylund, Al Iafrate, Bob McGill, Luke Richardson relevant?

'Wilson's right. It's not about wins and losses right now. It's about the decisions the team makes, and whether they dovetail with some kind of logical growth plan.'

I can bet that you will write a column contradicting your latest statement.

[Gary]

Its not surprising that this blog is titled the Spin. Clearly you take whatever sound bites suit your opinion. I truly believe that you're neither fan nor anti-fan of the Leafs. But reading your column the last 6 months it's easyt to see that you're enjoying taking shots at them twice weekly. You're either revelling in the hardship or its lazy journalism. Whether you care or not, you come across as petty.

[James]

Marc Eduord Vlasic, Jay Boumeester, Andre Meszaros, Brent Burns, etc. All teenage defenceman. All doing well.

Cam Barker, Steve Eminger Boris Valabik, all top drafted defencemen who have been given time to develop and are still nowhere near projected.

There is no right answer. Beating the point to death just makes your column increasingly unreadable.

[Matt]

Good Lord, I haven't paid attention to any Leafs' news since last week when the word was management was for once going to do the intelligent thing and send Schenn down for more development.

Now they're actually contemplating starting him in the NHL this season? Could they be any more clueless? Good Dmen don't just happen - and they certainly don't just happen out of the WHL with an 18 yr old. AHL development is key for so many reasons.

As a Sens fan, I miss the days I could hate the Leafs' and their fans. Now, I feel nothing but pity and wish Ottawa didn't even have to play the team your sorry excuse for a front office has cobbled together.

[Lewis McClain]

Hi Damian: Are these guys pros or not? It seems we have two AHL teams in town. Maybe they could play each other, and start some kind of interest. This talk of rebuilding is getting very old. Lets start with getting Sundin back. We need a captain,and a genuine NHL player. If Wilson does not expect to win, or think we cannot, then get another coach. What a defeatist attitude this guy has. No wonder he never got the cup. This is supposed to be the NHL not some teaching minor league. Toronto used to be the center of this great game....

[Massimo]

I think Wilson said it perfectly a couple of weeks ago. His words after a pre-season loss were "It was an exhibition game -- it didn't bother me at all, what bothers me is being asked asinine questions while you're trying to give young players a chance.

Mr. Cox. Did you ever think that perhaps the reason why players like Nylund, Iafrate, McGill and Richardson never amounted to what they were supposed to is because of the ridiculous Toronto media that covers the team? Perhaps you guys should take it a little easier on these young guys instead of ripping into them everytime they make a mistake.

I would love to see people like Damien Cox or Steve Simmons run the Leafs. What a disaster that would be.

[PeterC]

The actual deadline for sending Luke back to Juniors is 9 games away. Lets not jump to conclusions. And besides, what if he really is our best D after the next 9 games?

[Turbo]

PeterC, good point. So good that it was entirely overlooked by cox in each of his articles on the issue. Cox, if you're going to write the same article, at least put all the cards on the table. Don't say he's going to start the season in the bigs and play it off like he's in for 82. Do journalism man. Say theres a time frame to demote.

You have written this story for the last 3 weeks and you still haven't mentioned this key point.

Same story, missed facts, got the tshirt.

[Andy]

Who's confused? The Leafs stink. Are they 15th bad or 10th bad? I don't know. But they're bad. You're making a mountain out of a molehill. Fans will abide by the rebuild if youth is served.
Excellent point by Conn Smythe. If Stevens doesn't count than the brigade of Leaf 18 year olds from the 70s and 80s don't either.

[Mongtomery C. Burns]

"Wins and losses don't matter."
--New Leaf head coach Ron Wilson, Oct. 6, 2008

Sure, if you're coaching a team of 8-year-old children. Unless of course, the Leafs are planning on tanking to increase its chances of securing Tavares.

[nugentmania]

While I usually agree with Damien on most things with the Leafs, I'll concede that a 9 game trial is not going to horribly scar his development.

However......I'm not sure the Leafs want to cash in the first year of an entry year deal for an 18 year old when.....are you listening Leaf fans....that 18 year old won't make a difference in the performance of your team. The Leafs will be bad. Very bad. Not even able to ice an NHL team right now. Even if Schenn is in your top 6, I'm not sure I want to subject any 18 year old to losing culture that this year will carry with it.

Now...if it was Stamkos, and offence was my biggest concern, then maybe. If it was Doughty, and he'd get crazy amounts of PP time with Kaberle, then maybe. But just maybe. But Leafs fans love to point out that the one strength this team has is depth on the blueline, so why rush? Schenn is going to be a great D, I'd bet the farm. But error on the side of caution when his contribution will be at it's more irrelevant.

[Pete Nardi]

Hey Turbo, I agree with your point that Damien should do journalism, but his reply to you will be that he's a 'columnist' and that he's supposed to be opinionated. That's his way of squeaking out of not writing the facts and still being able to write the crap that he does. He'll say that he's allowed to have an opinion and, in not so many words, he doesn't have to back it up b/c he could do a better job in running the Leafs than anyone else. Damien, you mentioned that the Leafs were going to trade their first rounder next year, and STILL haven't told us where we can find the proof. But since you're a columnist, then it's okay?

Damien, I see that you threw this comment in: "When I receive emails suggesting that I just disagree with whatever the Leafs do, or want the team to be unsuccessful, it is to laugh." Last week you mentioned in a column that the Leafs would be better off losing as many games as possible this season. If they lost as many games as possible (in regulation), then they would have lost 82 games and have amassed zero points. By defintion, this would make them unsuccessful. Therefore, your statement last week CLEARLY shows that you want them to be unsuccessful. If they contend, you'll have no column to write because you'll have no basis with which to work.

Secondly, how have we gone through "41 years of losing?" We haven't made it to the Cup final in 41 years, but we haven't been "losing" for 41 years. And no, it's not just semantics Damien. Our years in the early 90's and from 1999 to 2004 were pretty successful, but we just couldn't make it all the way. I understand that being a champion is different than being successful, but by your definition then, the Penguins have gone through 16 years of losing. They were great the last 2 years, but that doesn't count right? Or how about Detroit. Before 2008, they had gone through 6 years of losing right?

I really hope that you stop spewing out this garbage because it's become quite apparent that for the last 6 months or so, you've written just to annoy readers and to indeed, disagree with whatever the Leafs do.

[neil no more last name]

I can't defend Leaf fans anymore, they are a glut of idiots.

Schenn has no business in the NHL beyond 9 games this year (if that). He's not as NHL ready as the other three picked before him in this year's draft. Even Pieterangelo could use another year in Junior. 9 pre-season games means jack when the regular season starts, teams have there full benches, and veterans actually play with some motivation.

Leaf fans - clueless? Jealous they dont' have their own rookie phenom? Impatient? I don't know, but they certainly don't know the sport. He's not the best D-man on the Leafs - he was the most impressive in 9 PRE-SEASON games.

Bunch of fan boys, really.

[neil no more last name]

Andy - Steven's doesn't count for different reasons than the leafs "brigade" of failing 18 year-old D.

Steven's played in Washington.

The leafs "brigade" of failing 18 year-old D played in Toronto.

Huge Difference

[Andrew]

You guys are missing his point about Stevens: that if Stevens had been scrutinised in a market like Toronto, he might've been a washout like Nylund and the rest.

And frankly, if Leaf fans aren't going to criticise the way this franchise has been run by staying away and not purchasing merchandise, SOMEONE has to call them out on it. Considering Cox's job is to watch every single Leafs game, you'd think he'd be rooting for them to be good so that he could enjoy it more.

[Colin]

Isn't it ironic that Damien claims that Schenn is a different case than Doughty and others because of the "microscope" - when it will be him writing the headline "Schenn's blunder costs Leafs game" in a couple of months time?

Sounds like you are admitting the failure of past D-men is as much the writer's fault as it is inept Leaf's management.

Blame MLSE all you want - I don't love their vision either. But its the likes of you that are operating the microscope that will apparently ruin Luke Schenn's career.

I would love to read regular column's about Schenn's and Grabovski's development in camp - not how they are doomed for failure.

Give your head a shake Damien - your act has grown tiresome.

[Georgee]

Wilson is right....to aim for the future and not this year alone.
the sad thing is that toronto doesn't have much in the way of propects that I am aware of.

[Ottawa Leaf Fan]

Great Story. Sort of redundant. The Leafs stink, the message is blurred, management keeps making poor descisions concerning future prospects and rookies and there's always a front man on the team with no back up line mates or 2 through 4 line stars. Nothing new. I too think it's rediculous to use this kid before some time in the A. Ahhhhh!!! I am sooo tired of trying to be a fan of such a poorly managed team. It's the same crap year in and year out. I wonder how the Senators are doing this year...Well maybe not yet but I don't know how much longer I can hold on.

Keep up the good work D. Look how much emotion you stir up with the knuckleheads.

[Bill Laidlaw]

I believe Schenn is best served playing in junior only if he is playing for a coach who will make him better. The Leafs have as much as said the year is a write off so why put the young man through the misery of another losing season in Toronto? There will be excitement to come from Luke Schenn for Leafs fans it simply is not necessary, this season, in Toronto. Come back next year, 20 pounds heavier, a year older, a step faster, and crush people when you get here. We can wait. We have for 41 years.

Bill Laidlaw

[Sigh]

He clarified why Stevens doesn't count. Because he did not play under the scrutiny of the TORONTO media. All the Leafs picks DID.

"Marc Eduord Vlasic, Jay Boumeester, Andre Meszaros, Brent Burns, etc. All teenage defenceman. All doing well."

Once again, all did not have to deal with the pressure of the Toronto media.

The point he is making is WHY TAKE THE CHANCE? Plenty of defencemen have been brought up too soon and have lost confidence which has hampered their development. I have never heard of a defenceman who did not pan out because he was sent to junior for a season. So can somebody please quantify the gains from playing Schenn in the NHL as opposed to letting him dominate junior, play for Team Canada and try to win a Memorial Cup? WHY TAKE THE CHANCE?

The Leafs are allowing a GM who may not be here in 6 months to possibly hamper the development of one of their major building blocks. And this makes sense how?

Everybody hates Damien Cox because he chooses not to fawn over the moves the Leafs make. Well history shows that the majority of moves have lead to 40+ years without a Stanley Cup Finals appearance, zero President's trophies, 2 division titles, 2-3 major individual awards...give me a break.

All of you bloody geniuses who rail at Cox should go back over the last 3 years of articles and see how many turned out to be correct. This franchise has been a joke for generations and continues to handle it's business by taking advantage of the idiotic fan base who continues to line their pockets with dollars.

If you asked us if you were to pay for a Stanley Cup team this year but you were to be lousy for the next five years would you do it? The answer from an ownership point of view, absolutely not."

Are you kidding me? The owner would not be bad for 5 years to win the cup this year? They are going to be bad for 5 years anyway, why the hell would you say no to satisfying your rabid fan base? Hmmm, I wonder. Fear of lost profits maybe?

Take your anger out on Cox, you should turn your anger towards whoever sucked you in to adopting such an embarrasment of a hockey team.

[JP]

it is really important that all leaf fans dismiss anything that comes out of the mouth of mr tanenbaum...his statements are purely political as his interests lie with joining the leafs with the rogers people, and his statements smack as someone politicking to get more power withing the MLSE power structure...if the fans are willing to be patient and allow wilson and fletcher to do the job they will be rewarded in a couple of years time. the only possible derailment will come if a blowhard like Burke comes to town...otherwise, i like what I see, and if i am spending money or tv time to watch, i want to be entertained even if they loose for now...let's all relax..

[Ron Cola]

Hey Damien,
do you think Fletcher is gonna hook Schenn up with a bonefide tough guy so that cheap shots are kept under control?

[Pat Vaughan]

Is that Damien Coy or Damien Cox ? Damien you can't expect us to believe that you of all people are actually confused by the screen passes, flea flickers, reverses and traps up the middle MLSEL runs on their loyal fans ? I thought you would have been the all pro defensive end who plays like he's in the offensive huddle before every play. anyhow Kubina is Klueless. Maurice wasn't too far behind. Larry (believe it or not) and Ronnie are on the right track. Wins and losses do not matter. We have to build a great hockey program here just the way an elite NCAA US College builds a great football program that has them in the running every year to be a champion. That will take up to ten years to do. I hope we have the patience to keep Ronnie around for 10 years to help build that program. Ronnie's a world class coach right up there with good ole Pat Quinn. Conclusion: all of these 3rd and 4th rounders Cliffie is giving away like candy won't matter ten years from now. There is more work here than just a 3 year rebuilding program.

[Adam C]

Bouwmeester was 19; his first two seasons he totalled 36 points and -44. He was an extremely highly touted defenceman drafted the same year as Duncan Keith; guess which one got more Norris votes last year?

Vlasic was 19; last year he was -12 on a first place team. He's doing great.

Meszaros was a week away from 20; his second season he was -15 on a first place team. How much is he helping Ottawa this year? Drafted the same year as Mike Green - check those Norris votes.

Burns was 20 before he played a full NHL season.

It's better for the Leafs if Schenn goes back to junior. It may or may not be better for Schenn - if he's really an elite player he'll probably become one eventually either way - but the team needs to come first.

[Buddyy-Can-Hackett]

I would personally like to thank, yes again, for speaking out so logically about the Leafs over the years. Thanking you not because I agree or disagree with what you write but how you write: and that is to say you write CLEARLY. You observe, investigate, evaluate and then write about it. Emotion is kept in-check. I would appreciate reading more about the suits that run MLSE. Perhaps if you put those criminals under the microscope they might loose a little of their smug attitudes. Go-Get-Em Sparky!