The Danger of Snapshots

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--More and more, the Maple Leaf season is turning into a clinic on why drawing snapshot conclusions with a young hockey club is a dangerous business.

Last week, fans were calling for Ron Wilson's head on a platter. Columns were written demanding a change behind the Leaf bench, various TV, radio and blogosphere analysts were saying that Wilson had to go.

Today? After two shootout wins over favoured opponents, Boston and Washington, the Leafs certainly aren't looking like a team that has quit on its coach, but rather a team with a new never-say-die resolve.

Nobody saw that coming. But with young teams, the valleys tend to be rather deep and the hills surprisingly high. Consistency is the first casualty of youth.

Just look at Mikhail Grabovski, a 26-year-old who can look like a star one night - say, last night against Washington - and a player who really needs to find another league to play in another night. He started the season goal-less in 12, although both Wilson and GM Brian Burke said they liked his game.

Then he started producing some points, including a goal and an assist Nov. 16 against Nashille. Problem was, in that game he was also a minus-4. Prior to Monday's game against the Caps, he had no points in his previous five games, and was a minus-4 in the previous two games.

Then came his tour de force against Washington, including a spectacular spinarama goal. This is one difficult hockey player to figure out, a microcosm of the Leafs in general.

Some said he was a bum at the beginning of the season. Right now, he might be the team's most talented offensive player. 

Best to hold off on all judgements until season's end. That goes for individual Leafs, and the team, quite probably. 

 

Comments

[mark]

Granted, this is a young team and that typically means lack of consistency. However, that doesn't change my opinion that Wilson should be fired. In fact, it actually highlights a reason why. He's not the right guy for this young team. He failed with the 'veteran' lineup that he was given the chance to succeed with. You now have Khadri taking a regular shift and Aullie and Shen quickly becoming top 4 d-men. Gustavson is also supplanting Giguere as the number one goalie. This is not how Ronnie drew it up. This was desparation, not design. I'd be happy to see Dallas Eakins take over and I'd venture to say many of the Marlies allumni would be happy too.

[prize maple]

Damien, I think you have inadvertently made a definitive comment on the current state of the Leafs, i.e. Grabovski may be their most talented forward. Just try to imagine where Grabo would fit into the Capitals roster, or the Penguins, Sharks, or even the Canadiens for that matter. Would Tyler Bozak for instance, be playing on an NHL squad at all if not for the Leafs current predicament. Every team in the NHL wins the odd game but the Leafs are still just as thin on talent as they were a week ago.

[Al Cleverdon]

Not sure what games you have been watching all year but Grabovski's play has been the opposite of what you describe.He and Schenn are the only two that have played the same way night after night.The points come and go but I've enjoyed their consistent efforts all year.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Marc I think you are wrong about Wilson. Things are not working as designed and he is not so big on himself that he refuses to try somethig different. This is a quality trait that should be applauded. I am good with a coach who tells it like he sees it. Sure he comes across as arrogant but that is because he is comfortable in his own skin. I don't know if he is the guy going forward but I think keeping him until the end of the year and then re-evaluating is at least reasonable.

[Tse]

Not sure why you are singling out Grabovski. He has actually been the most consistent forward right from training camp. He and his two linemates lead the team in points and plus minus. All three are on pace for career highs in points despite getting only second line minutes and PP time. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Bozak or Kessel.

[ram88]

Consistency is the first casualty of youth

[ram88]

Consistency is the first casualty of youth- nice quote

[Pyramid Power]

Great post Damien. Hope you are enjoying the sun down there in Fla.

I am definitely guilty of being a Leafs fan who passed judgment, and passes judgment, on too many players, the coaches etc... when times are tough and when times are good like today. Until tonight in Pittsburgh I fear.

Good to keep some perspective on how very young these kids are, keep the faith, watch how they do and pass judgment much later.

The Leafs can turn a sane rational person bipolar in a hurry though. It is no wonder Leafs fans are up and down like yoyos about this club.

The playoff drought, the questionable coaching of Wilson and his assistants Acton, Hunter, Zettler and the gang really has to make one wonder. Our horrible special teams really have to make one wonder. The kids should not be judged, but I think it is fair, soon anyway, to pass judgment on this Leafs coaching staff.

BB a class act btw with his self-imposed Christmas deal deadline. Feel so sorry for him going what he is going through right now and the constant criticism. Better days ahead for him and everyone involved with the Leafs. I hope.

[Arthur Bailey]

Waiting a whole season to look back and judge seems like waiting to see if your eggs will burn an hour after the timer goes off. It is just as unnecessary as making proclamations after a handful of games.

Why not view the season in 10-20 game increments? it allows for more accurate analysis without waiting for it to no longer matter.

[Steve C]

I'm still calling for Wilson's head. They could win 10 straight and I still will. Most of the players on this team (with the exceptions of maybe McArthur, Gustavsson, Schenn and Brown) seem to have gotten gradually worse over the past couple of seasons. They are going in the wrong direction with their development - seems like a coaching problem to me.

[skad]

Leafs suck stop watching people