A Poor Fit?

Sometimes you really have to wonder why Ron Wilson took the job of coaching the Maple Leafs.

Yes, money and a five-year contract while he was otherwise unemployed probably influenced him

But an open question when Wilson signed on with the club was how he would handle the scrutiny of his work and the performance of his teams in Toronto after stops in Anaheim, Washington and San Jose, places where the coverage of the NHL is minimal for the most part and, at times, non-existent

So far, not particularly well. All these people with their annoying questions and comments

Working in Toronto was always going to be a big, big change for Wilson, a good, experienced coach and a smart fellow, but also one of the more thin-skinned hockey men around

After all, the coverage of the Leafs has exploded in recent years. Twenty years ago, a coach might have to deal with three or four beat writers on a regular basis and the occasional TV camera and radio mike

These days, every day is like a full-blown presidential press conference. But it's no different than the coverage of the Yankees in New York - probably less - the Canadiens in Montreal - less intense - or the Cowboys in Dallas - probably similar

Wilson knew all of this going in. Brian Burke surely did as well, and he appears to be loving it. Not a single complaint. He wanted Toronto and all that entailed

But after winning 34 of his first 84 games in Toronto, Wilson seems to be increasingly resentful of the fact fans and media alike have many questions about his hockey club and aren't afraid to vocalize them

He doesn't like positive coverage of his team or negative coverage. Just the other day in Washington, positive questions about the play of goalie Jonas Gustavsson were ridiculed, with Wilson saying the Toronto media always wants to "build monuments" to players before they've accomplished anything

Then he takes the opposite approach. In Paul Hunter's story today about the Leaf goaltending picture, Wilson takes exception to criticism of Vesa Toskala, calling it "grossly unfair."

So the monolithic media is either building monuments or guilty of gross unfairness

Basically, Wilson would prefer it if people just wrote down his words and published them verbatim

He said yesterday Leaf goalies have to perform not "under a microscope but under an electron microscope." True, its not like Anaheim or Washington or San Jose. But didn't he know that? And aren't there terrific benefits that go with working in hockey's Big Smoke, even for a sub-.500 coach? And wouldn't a smart coach use the glare of this market to fuel the performance of his players?

Read Joe Torre's book to learn about handling unrelenting media pressure while still winning championships

Wilson also loves to play games. For example, he said yesterday "We don't question anything about what Vesa's done," which is a complete untruth. Toskala's play has been a hot debating point within the organization for more than a year, and last year both Wilson and Burke questioned his play and work habits.

He said some of the club's defencemen have played like "peewee defencemen" in front of the goalies, but if you ever criticize the Leaf defence you're told the forwards aren't helping enough. His team has been the NHL's worst defensive outfit ever since he arrived, but its impossible to get him to actually explain why that is

The only reason any of this matters, of course, is that blaming the media offers up a crutch that some players are only too happy to lean on

"It's hard to feel good about yourself when you're always being questioned," Wison told reporters yesterday

Well, wahhh. Cry me a river. If I don't want hundreds of emails a week telling me what a moron I am or explaining how I could do my job better, then I wouldn't sign on to work covering hockey for the Toronto Star, Canada's largest newspaper. After 20 years, I keenly understand the reality that readers of The Star feel they know more about the sport than I do and could write about it much more intelligently if given the chance. Both might even be true. Read the comments on this blog sometime. If you're writing hockey in Toronto, you'd better be ready to take a lot of shots if you're going to hand a few out.

Comes with the territory

With the Leafs, Burke knew what he was in for and accepts it. Doesn't bother him one iota, for example, that not everyone liked the Phil Kessel trade. He's not looking for love or consensus

Wilson, however, bristles under the attention and criticism. He either blames the media for nit-picking or complains that media types don't watch closely enough to understand his team

We're either building monuments or ripping players to shreds. He loves to term it all the product of "you guys," as though reporters and columnists for the Star, Sun, Post, Globe, TSN, Sportsnet, The Score, CBC, The Fan 590, AM640 and every other media outlet think as one, work as one and all do their jobs exactly the same way and with the same dedication and effort. Only always sunny Leaf TV propaganda seems to suit Wilson, and that may not even be true

You've gotta wonder why he took the job in the first place.

Comments

[Gary]

I don't disagree that Wilson has been on the defensive from day one in Toronto. But I'm also wondering if some of this is to deflect a little attention from his players? Like the way Gretzky so famously did in Salt Lake City after team Canada got off to such a slow start.

Like I said, I agree he wants it both ways (seemingly) but maybe he's got a bigger plan.

[Jeff]

Great article Damien, you nailed it this time. Toronto is not for the meek or the disdainful. Coach Wilson has to concentrate on motivating his troops to play his system and win a few games. Montreal had no business winning the first game and well the Caps are too talented.
Tonite, the Leafs must put together a tight game with some determined forechecking to expose the Sens.
Looking forward to the game and the autopsy afterwards, Ha!

[Brad Mitchell]

Well, Mr. Cox... fair is fair. Since I'm one of the first ones to criticize you when I disagree with you, I have to give you kudos for analyzing Wilson perfectly. Don't get me wrong, I think he's one of the most entertaining coaches in hockey. It's just that I'd prefer a coach who could actually teach the players to play defense and kill penalties. And I watch his daily interviews online - why does he feel the need to treat the media personnel like CHILDREN? I just don't understand it. He does realize that you guys are fans too, right? And even if some of you aren't fans, at least he should understand that you're doing your jobs for US, the fans who read your articles, and purchase the overpriced tickets and merchandise that indirectly pay Wilson's ridiculous salary.
Hey coach... word to the wise... I've seen Stanley Cup WINNING coaches with way more humility than you.

[twitter.com/eyebleaf]

I agree with you. Again. This isn't cool, Mr. Cox.

I'm still waiting to be sold on Ron Wilson. He said he was going to focus on fixing the defensive weaknesses of his team. Yes, the goaltending has been atrocious, but there doesn't seem to be much progress being made on the back end.

[Paul I]

Good call Mr.Cox. Wilson wants to play both sides of the media drum and you called him out on it.He should spend less time sparring with "you guys" and more time coaching the hockey team.

[Sam]

I love Ron Wilson. I'm glad he's arguing against "you guys" because I agree some of the relentless coverage is annoying and ridiculous. I have no problems with a Maple Leafs coach ripping the media because they can be too over the top. Some of the questions the media asks can be classed as baiting and trolling, and they deserve that kind of harsh response Wilson gives. A coach with a backbone and the media calls him an oversensitive, insecure coach ... ok whatever. Just because that's the way it is in Toronto doesn't mean it has to be accepted and tolerated. Maybe you're just too use to Paul Maurice being so easy.

[True Leaf Fan]

Brian Burke is a lot like JP of the Jays ... he likes the attention and being in the limelight. Don't get me wrong, I like Burke and I think he'll do good things for the Leafs but his personality is made for the limelight.

Wilson is more reserved and doesn't like the spotlight. His job is to coach the Leafs and get those players to buy into his system. It makes no difference what the media thinks and the fans only care about winning.

It seems the "media" thinks they run the show and I'm glad that we have someone like Wilson that will put them in their place. The "media" acts like they are a gossip magazine always trying to read between the lines and words of what the Leaf brass say and are always implying there's an exterior motive for every move and lineup change.

Damien, you love the fact that you get 100 emails a day .. you are one of the most opinionated and ALWAYS WRONG columnist that I've read ... I read your articles for a laugh and then love the fact that so many people rip the heck out of you in the comments section. Your stance is to spew negativity in hopes of drawing attention ... your motto is any publicity is good publicity.

And I can guarantee, you will not be posting this online ... prove me wrong.

[drake richards]

Damien:

Ron Wilson was hired to coach this team through a transition or development phase, which included a transition from a culture of entitlement (ie blue and white disease) to a culture of accountability and commitment. When Wilson talks about monuments being built by the media (or "you guys" as he calls the media) for players who have accomplished nothing, he is simply trying to tear down the culture of entitlement which the media is liable for having created in equal parts with any out of touch members of Leaf Nation (ie see the ACC standing ovation for the Monster for one save in a meaningless preseason tilt). Don't take Wilson's comments so literally (and personally I might add). See them instead in the context of his job description. In my view, when Wilson is saying these things, he is just doing the job he was hired to do. And you know what? It might be working because for the most part, players young and old showed up to camp motivated. (ie see Kaberle's commitment to fitness over the summer - one the Muskoka five "you guys" labelled). See also Lee Stempniak who looks far faster this year than last.

[other mark]

You hit the nail firmly on the head this time Damien. Perhaps Wilson thinks his primary job is to 'protect' his players and deflect critism (or even possitive observations lest their heads get too big). Whatever his motives, I find his soundbites confrontational and uninformative. It will be interesting to watch if the intensity of his annamousity grows should the team continue to stuggle. That would be a combination that would lead to a severance payout for Mr Wilson in my opinion. Burke may be his pal... but I don't think he'd hesitate to pull the plug if he has to.

[Pete vh]

This may be a bit off topic Damien, but the Leafs in my view have been one of the NHL's worst defensive outfits for at least several years now. It actually goes back to the Pat Quinn era. Whether it's the type of players being signed or the coaching systems (or lack thereof) I'm not sure. In any case, the free-wheeling style of play may be suited to teams with a great deal of talent, like Washington for instance. When the Leafs play that way, they just wind up looking silly and getting beat.

[Rick]

I'm glad you addressed this Damien!It's about time that a media person stood up and remind the Leaf contingent about their responsibility to address the media regarding their team's status with integrity!!! If they don't like the heat...THEN GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN...take your money and take it back to the United States where it's badly needed right now!!! Ron Wilson is an arrogant pompous man and the same can be said about his boss Mr. Burke. If you guys don't like your employment, there are many to choose from still up here in Canada ...not too many from where you guys are from....I would remember that the next time you're asked a question by our local sports writers or even us fans!!!We pay your contract....remember?????

[Jason Olie]

Wilson has taken a page from NFL types who have to deal with REAL scrutiny. Belichek seems like he'd rather be getting a root canal than attend a post-game press conference, and he learned at the knee of Parcells, who never met a journalist he wasn't smarter than.
The difference is NFL guys (and Leafs guys) can afford to treat the press that way. How many beat reporters in Anaheim or Washington just decided they had better things to do then putting up with Wilson's crap...

[Aaron]

Sorry Damien. I have to side with Wilson on this one. Is it his job to make your job easier? I don't think so! I don't give two bits what he says to the media, I care how his direction leads the team. The wall to wall Leaf coverage forces each writer to looks for a different angle. Wilson gets inundated with ridiculous question after question because the writer is trying to make up something that isn't there.

The Toronto media thinks they are as important to the sport as the players and coaches.

It actually makes you all look real pathetic.

[Al Parisone]

Stop the second guessing:
To put an end to this goalie controversy, Burke should give Vesa a contract extension through at least next year. Wilson and Bruke have stated that they have confidence in Vesa, so show him with a contract extension that he is trusted. Also Bruke has said that Gerber was a capable NHL goalie when he was brought in last year, so bring him back to backup Vesa. This would free up Jonas, so he can be sent down to the Marlies and dominate down there for the next year or two, just like they did with Kadri, Bozak and Gunnerson. Just because these players proved through training camp they were better then anyone else does not mean you should rush them. Im sure this will result into a successful strategy for the next season or two. All the best for the future Peter C.

[JR Parks]

Wow! Well done, Damien. Ron should be taken to task for his antics and you have done a great job in leading him to the wood shed. If I was a Leaf beater, I would have told him to grow some skin and moved on to the next question...

[smokes 09]

frankly Damien, I am shocked that it took you this long to write this piece...the under/over was 3 months, and you blew through that...your next column should be about whether this is the guy you want to put it all together; 5 year contract or not, I dont get the sense Burke is going to tolerate much more of this...leaf fans better hope the "Monster" is half-way decent tonight or this is going to be one hell of a long season.

[Chris]

Wilson is just trying to take pressure off his players which any coach anywhere will do. And if Wilson has to accept the media scrutiny in Toronto, then the media has to accept the coach challenging them when they ask stupid questions or make ridiculous comments. The media has walked all over this team the last few years, which influences the fans. Next thing you know one little mistake on the ice leads to 19000 home fans booing them. Don't we all just want them to win? None of this helps that. As far as I'm concerned, it's so easy to criticize or boo a team when they're not playing well but it takes some guts to cheer them when they're down and say something good about them. So Cox, let me ask you - if you had 19000 people surrounding your desk booing you while you're trying write an article, would you get it done? I'm not saying there shouldn't be criticism, but everyday everything said is so negative. Proffesional athletes are still human and it's impossible to not to be affected by that. No wonder home ice advantage is a disadventage in Toronto.

[A-Mar]

I definitely had questions about whether the notoriously prickly Wilson was right for Toronto ahead of a younger, teacher-type coach like Peter DeBoer or Craig Hartsberg. The only positive about Wilson's job thus far has been the attitude of professionalism he (Burke?) has installed at the NHL level... I'm still waiting on the working defensive system and the wins.

[Peter]

wel, Damien, i don't think Wilson is surprised or anything like that. and i don't think he has to like the media or enjoy answering their questions. he has a job to do as a coach and that's it. this is his style, like it or not.

[Jim Raby]

It would appear that Burkie has one last move to make. Might be tense in Vancouver though, having your ex coach running the USA bench. Another defensively inept sub 49th Olympic effort.

[David Fine]

Well put, Damien. I haven't liked the manner or style of Ron Wilson, but if he delivers the goods, all will be forgiven. Right now, that's not happening and we have a right to ask questions about key decisions, like sticking with Toskala or sending Kadri down, and he should answer honestly and without the attitude.

I hate the way he plays games with statements to the media and calls out his players in public. It seems his mode is to walk tall and carry a big stick. Apparently Scotty Bowman was a tough coach too, but he delivered big time. Ron Wilson has yet to prove anything. I hope he does, but so far, not impressed yet.

[adrian]

A poor fit? For the media - yes. For the Leafs - i'm not sure yet. Only one of these actually matters to the Leafs. If anything, isn't Ron Wilson doing a pretty good job of handling 'the scrutiny' when people like you are writing articles complaining about him than his players? Sounds like a good job to me...

One other thing...if you dislike Ron Wilson's use of "you guys", maybe you should consider that the next time you use your wide paint brush to address 'Leafs Nation' - since you constantly complain about how we're all delusional and sheepish...

[Victor]

Well Damian, I am guessing you won't be invited to the coaches house for prawns and roast beef after this column. Although you have to admit, it did not take long for the knives to come out to start the season. I just hope the team can come up big tonight or we are in for more media abuse on an escalating scale.I get that this is Toronto and he should expect it but sheesh it does seem particularly hostile only two game in. But then again last year had no expectations and this year does. Go Leafs Go!

[Maple77]

Wilson should go to the Letterman school of media relations, it may not be the truth but it sure is effective.

[Musclehead]

Hey Damien, First off you’re not a moron, you’re actually OK. We may agree to disagree on certain things, but overall your takes on most give different insight. Second, Wilson has an ego with attitude. My biggest beef though, how low do you let the ship get before bailing?? Listen, Toskala has never lived up to potential, it was the groin, and then he wasn't in shape what wrong contacts are next? Truth be told I have built many teams at various minor hockey levels. It starts and stops with goaltending. In the good years when championships were won, the players knew if they scored 3 goals there was a 90% chance of a W. Our goaltending would keep out the rest. In addition when they just didn't have it, were outplayed by the opposition, we still had a chance to win and in some cases the ability between the pipes simply gave us those 1-0 games. The position is a catalyst. Toskala for what ever reason just isn't working. Blame it on the D, blame it on the injury, blame it on the media circus, but Toronto is not for Vesa. There was a comparison between Potvin and Fuhr I had read earlier, no way, when Fuhr was traded by the Buds he still had some life in him and proved himself, Vesa has not. If Wilson doesn't see this, well then I have given him more credit than due. McDonald and "The Monster" should split duties. Send Vesa down for "Conditioning" and take the first trade you get to move his salary. I for one have had enough of him!!! In the GTA, there is a plethora of hockey knowledge, Wilson may think he knows best, I for one can say I know individuals here who could easily replace him and be successful, in this market you have to have some confidence as a coach, but compared with Wilson's other coaching stints, the individuals and media here are as knowledgeable as he is, if not more.