Thursday Mail Bag

So easily satisfied. That's got to be the part that drives Ron Wilson nuts.

No wonder he bolted a post-game press conference after Wednesday's loss to Pittsburgh after being asked why Sidney Crosby had been so effective in a 5-2 Penguins win.

"He competes!" said Wilson, intimating the same could not be said about his top forwards.

Correct. By contrast, no one has yet exuded over the work ethic of Phil Kessel, and until that happens, Kessel won't be accorded a place among the elite players of the game. Kessel needs to lead with more than just skating ability, but that just doesn't happen on a regular enough basis, and it sure didn't happen in Pitt on Wednesday night.

Was he alone? No. It sure seemed quite a few Leaf forwards showed up thinking that after shootout wins over the Bruins and Caps, this was a night they wouldn't be required to deliver a top-notch effort.

After all, they'd won two in a row. That counts as a streak 'round here.

But while Kessel wasn't alone, he needs to set the tone, the pace. Generally, he doesn't, nor does he usually make it his business to explain why afterwards, and those are just some of the differences that set the likes of Crosby apart.

Two other quick points before we get to this week's mail bag.

First, Nazem Kadri needs another trip to the AHL to work on his game. Unfortunately, Toronto being Toronto, this suggestion will be interpreted as some kind of a slam against the young man, and if it were to actually happen, "KADRI DEMOTED" would be the screaming headlines, suggesting failure on Kadri's part.

But that wouldn't be the case. He just needs to continue to develop his game, work on being the offensive force he needs to be. Give him another 20 games with the Marlies, then bring him back again. It's all part of the process.

Finally, how about Don Cherry's bizarre political performance this week?

He's our very own Sarah Palin, disguising one nutty, half-baked or erroneous idea after another as so-called "straight talk." But here's the part that bugs. Cherry loves to talk about how the Memorial Cup shouldn't be called the Mem Cup because it takes away from the military history of the trophy, and turns every Remembrance Day into a lengthy pro-soldier episode of Coach's Corner.

I'm good with all of that. We should honor and support our soldiers if as a country we choose to send them into harm's way.

What he seems to miss, however, is that all these soldiers have fought for our freedom, and that means freedom of thought, of belief, of opinion, of political philosophy.

It means they fought, and fight, for the right of Canadians to live in a democracy and to look at the world in a different way from Don Cherry. They fought, and fight, for people to be "pinkos" if they want to be without being insulted for their political beliefs or made to feel as though they are somehow unpatriotic.

Sadly, Cherry doesn't get that. He just sees the guns and the glory.

Now on to this week's mail bag:

Q: There hasn't been much hoopla about Mike Komisarek's lack of playing time in the last two Leaf games(averaging around ten minutes, the least time of all the D). When he does get on the ice, he looks lost. Anything we don't know here?

Al Hanrahan, Pictou, N.S.

A: It's pretty clear Komisarek has slipped to No. 6 on the Leaf blueline depth chart. He played 10:35 against Pittsburgh, and has played that amount or less for the past three games. With Dion Phaneuf likely back tonight against the Flyers or Saturday against Montreal, it becomes an open question as to which defenceman will be the odd man out. Given that Phaneuf and Komisarek both play the right side, that would be the obvious switch, although embarassing a vet like Komisarek at this point in the season would be a signficant decision for head coach Ron Wilson. The easier path would be to dress seven defencemen or sit Carl Gunnarson, who has been average at best this season. As to why Komisarek has struggled, in my mind, he hasn't been the same player since, he fought Milan Lucic while with the Canadiens several years ago. He wrecked his shoulder in that tussle and has never been able to recapture his game since. Shoulder surgery earlier this year may have fixed the physical problem, but he's still struggling.

 

Q: Hey Damien,

What moves do you see the Leafs making once Dion is back in the lineup? I imagine Aulie will get sent back down to the AHL despite his decent play. Perhaps his play has eased any tensions Burke may have had about putting one or two D-men on the trading block. Which Leaf D do you think hold the most trade value at the moment?

Cam Calderon, Toronto

A: To continue the Phaneuf/Komisarek discussion, I can't see sending Aulie back, although he played less in Pittsburgh and is now minus-5 on the season. He's playing a simple game, but usually an effective one. At some point, the Leafs may look to move one of their blueliners, particularly if they're seeing progress with Simon Gysbers or Juraj Mikus with the Marlies. Down the line there's also Jesse Blacker, a late add to the national junior camp. The D-man with the most value right now would be Luke Schenn, but obviously, he's not going anywhere. Francois Beauchemin is the next most appealing to other teams, and there have been nibbles. Right now, however, the Leafs seem to believe his calm, veteran dressing room presence is something they need far more than another young player or prospect.

It's intriguing, by the way, which Leaf blueliners seem to attract the most criticism. These days, it's Komisarek first, and Beauchemin second. Tomas Kaberle, meanwhile, just skates through, scot-free, just the same as always. This is a defenceman who plays every single power play yet doesn't yet have a goal. When the Penguins got their 2-on-0 shorthanded break last night, it was with Kaberle playing matador at the Pittsburgh blueline. His next bodycheck will be his first in several seasons. He commands absolutely no respect from enemy attackers in the Leaf goal crease area. Yet not a word is ever said about the play of St. Tomas. Remarkable.

 

Q: Sir,

If you were a Leafs fan, how would you judge the performance of the Leafs for the entire season? Would it just be by wins and losses and by association their place in the standings or would it be more on things like looking for improvements in the performance of certain key players? If it is players which ones would you be most focussed on?

Neil Poutanen, Guelph

A: I think you judge it all. It's how you weight things is what matters. To me, all decisions you make should be based on making this a winning team in three years and a contender in five. That doesn't mean you don't try to win now at all, because through victories and success, you build confidence and and experience. To me, you're looking for individual players to learn the game and improve, and for there to gradually be an identifiable team attitude and personality that will be strong and vibrant when the team gets better. Which players? All of 'em. But naturally, this is a team that will need Phaneuf and Kessel to become marquee stars if it is to become a strong club.

 

Q: Damien, two questions, firstly; why have the Leafs not placed any of injured players on LTIR? All the teams over cap are doing it to remain cap compliant, why aren't the Leafs doing it to increase the War Chest? Second Question: With Keith Aulie playing do you think the Leafs might entertain the thought of inserting Dion Phaneuf as a centre on the Kessel line? He is big and strong and not afraid to stand in front of the other team's net? Appreciate your thoughts and enjoy your writing. Thanks.

Stephen Seymour, London

A: Well, the Leafs are well below the cap. Can't see what benefit LTIR would do. Second, Phaneuf as a centre is the same as Kaberle as a forward, which we all hear from time to time. Three years ago, Phaneuf was a Norris Trophy candidate. Now he should be a forward? Don't think so. Could he play up front and be effective? Possibly. But defence is where you want him to shine. Moving him up to the front of the net during power plays, however, if something you're going to see again once he returns. 

 

Q: Damien, Burke says Toronto fans always blame the coach but never the players but when when we boo Phaneuf, Burke appears in media admonishing us for having done so and saying this never happened in Vancouver. So which is it? He now refuses to appear on HNIC and the FAN590. Is it fair to say that B.B. is starting to crack under the pressure that is the "Vatican of Hockey"????

Brian Campbell, Toronto

A: I get your point about Wilson and Phaneuf, and I'd say you're right. But basically this is a GM desperately trying to protect his coach and players, even to the point of deflecting the criticism on to himself. As far as cracking under the pressure, don't think so. He hasn't been talking to the FAN590 morning show because he didn't like something that was said about his late son several weeks ago, but he has talked to officials at the station and is certainly not boycotting it. Re HNIC, his dispute is with Ron MacLean over a number of issues, but again, he's not boycotting the show. Look, like Burke or not, no one would disagree that he is the most accessible Leaf GM in years. That said, he's allowed to say "thanks, but no thanks" once in a while, isn't he? 

 

Q: Hi Damien: I enjoy reading your comments here in England. My question concerns Leaf player numbers. Does the player or team assign sweater numbers? I don't understand why players have such high nubers when a series of low numbers are unassigned. I am thinking of Bozak, Kadri, Kulemin and Aulie.

Al Stray, Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK

A: Usually the team, but veterans can ask for specific numbers. With the higher numbers, often they go to young players. Sometimes, those players request lower numbers sometimes they keep what they have. I'm pretty sure Kadri, to name one, will be looking for a different number at camp next fall.

 

Q: Hi Damien,

I'm watching the Leafs/Bruins game on CBC and they've got the super-slow-mo happening (love it!). I'm just wondering: does a goal count if a goalie catches it behind the goal line? Thomas appears to have stopped a Kadri backhand redirection behind the line, with no review. Good save? Or should that be a goal? It's frustrating no one's even mentioning it; because it's Tim Thomas in goal, everyone assumes he just stops everything and it's good (or maybe because it's the Leafs, no one expects them to score).

Ian Gray, Toronto

A: If a goalie is detected catching the puck behind the goal line, it's a goal. That said, it's a very difficult call since the puck usually isn't visible. We saw this in the '06 Olympics when Switzerland's Martin Gerber made a spectacular glove save on Rick Nash of Canada, but later still pictures seem to show Gerber's glove was well over the line. 

 

Q: Hi Damien. 2 things. I saw an interesting show about Dallas Eakins doing an intense mountain bike race. Really cool. I wish more people in sports were showcased like that.

Secondly, I have heard a lot about Eakins being a good coach that the Leafs cannot hope to keep coaching in the minors. Wilson has a losing record in his few years with the Leafs and I don't see that changing now. Is Eakins looking at the big club and wondering, if this is not his chance, when will it be? Is he going to get impatient and run off the first chance he gets to coach another NHL team?

It seems a little bit like when JFJ had Paul Maurice waiting in the wings, and as soon as he could blame the teams losing ways, dumped Pat Quinn and brought in Maurice...

Is Eakins the de facto future replacement for Wilson or are they going to weigh all the coaching options out there. If they went back to give Fletcher a second shot at GMing, are they going to do something else stupid like give Pat Quinn a coaching job again (Now that he is not doing anything important in Edmonton, not that changing him as coach had any impact on that team).

Basically, I want to know, are the Leafs running out of time to bring Eakins up? And if so, do they care if they let this fish go, knowing their might be many more in the sea?

Arthur Bailey, Red Lake

A: Eakins has done an excellent job this season with the Marlies and is well-liked within the organization. That said, giving a rookie coach his first NHL job as the head man in Toronto isn't going to be a formula for success. If that means another team snaps up Eakins, so be it. You can point to the success that Scott Arniel and Guy Boucher are having, but its much, much easier to break in as a first-year head coach in markets like Columbus and Tampa than Toronto. At the very least, Eakins would have to work as an assistant with the Leafs for a few seasons before getting a crack at the head job. 

 

Q: Hey Damien, I was wondering if you could straighten out a puzzling notion I have about the leafs game plan.

Why aren't they playing a defensive style of hockey? I get that they have the youngest team in the league with young guys like Kessel, but that youngest team in the league isn't scoring goals with their 'high flying attack'. Moreover, it's costing them a ticket to 'the dance' (which is Burke's ultimate goal)and is likely dealing a huge blow to everyone's confidence, thus harming their developement. I think it can be assumed that the real fans of the leafs, myself included, would much rather see a boring 2-1 or 1-0 game in which they win, rather than a 7-4 or 5-0 travesty at the hands of teams like the Sabres or the Oilers. Their built from the net out, why aren't they taking advantage of that depth? It worked for Pat Burns, God rest his soul, 17 years ago, why couldn't it work now?

Ian Byrne, Morell, P.E.I.

A: I've written about this extensively in the past. Basically, that's not the style of hockey Ron Wilson believes in, and you've got to accord the guy respect for sticking to his guns. That said, to me they don't have the guns to play the way they want to play right now. I guess it's an investment in the future, but you have to wonder whether Wilson will be around to enjoy the fruits of this investment. 

 

Q: The Marlies remain on fire. Who are 2 or 3 players on the team who you feel could be stars on the 2014 championship team Burke is trying to build?

Alex Vaickus, Toronto

A: Clearly, they believe Jerry D'Amigo will play in the NHL, and netminder Jussi Rynnas is certainly turning heads. After that, there aren't any blue chippers, but that doesn't mean no one will make it. Defencemen like Gysbers and Mikus, and forwards like Christian Hanson and Brayden Irwin, will all get their chances. 

 

Q: Just wondering why Milwaukee never seems to be mentioned as a possible location for an NHL team. It has a hockey culture (U of Wisconsin), winter climate, established stadium and sports fans. Seems like a natural fit. Is it simply a case that a prospective owner has never emerged that wanted to place a team there? Or a case that Milwaukee is not "marquee" enough for the NHL? Or some combination thereof?

M L, Halifax

A: A couple of things. First, Milwaukee was an expansion candidate in the early 1990s right after Lloyd Petit build the Bradley Centre, but the city dropped out before Tampa Bay and Ottawa were awarded teams and really hasn't been heard from since. Part of that might be related to the fact Milwaukee is about 90 minutes from Chicago, and a team in that city might not be looking upon happily by the Blackhawks.

Comments

[Derek Santos]

Hi Damien,
I agree w/ your Komisarek comment (not been the same since Lucic fight) but, I believe he & the leafs have to realize that this the way he must play to be most effective regardless of the consequences (penalties).
Did they not sign him to be just that (hard to play against player, etc.)????

Derek

[Stephen Sims]

Damien,

I enjoy reading your columns and blogs and agree with you in relation to hockey matters more often than I disagree. However, there are two points that you made in your “Mailbox” this week that I felt compelled to address.

First, you wrote that Don Cherry doesn’t understand what the Canadian Armed Forces are fighting for because you say, “They fought, and fight, for people to be "pinkos" if they want to be without being insulted for their political beliefs or made to feel as though they are somehow unpatriotic.” Although I am not a big fan of Don Cherry’s, I think that this is one area where he is far more enlightened than you. There is no “right” (and never should be) to state your opinion and expect not to be insulted or called unpatriotic for your beliefs and public statements. If you believe strongly in something, you have the freedom in a free society to state your case, but if others don’t have a right to challenge your statements and beliefs to the point of insult and questioning whether your statements are patriotic (or even treasonous) then you call for revoking the rights of those you disagree with, but not those that share your opinion and stand guilty of what you are accusing Don Cherry of.

Second, you wrote that Ron Wilson deserves respect for “sticking to his guns” by coaching a style of play that his players are incapable of playing. It is my belief that a bad coach forces his system upon players and a good coach develops a system that maximizes the potential of the players that he has. That is one (of many) reasons that I think that Wilson should be fired immediately. That is my opinion, I welcome your insults.

[Derek Santos]

Hi Damien,
Kabrele, must be held accountable. The give-aways & lack of physicallity in the defensive zone by a veteran cannot be tolerated. How are the kids going to learn the team concept when they see a vet like that (not willing to sacrifice) while, receiving tons of ice-time (mixed msgs.-reward for failure).
Don't get me wrong I love his mobility & vision but, you must also have pride on the defensive side of the game. Other players have done so ie. Timmonen (Philly), Hamzus (Van.), etc.

D. TO

[prize maple]

I'm beginning to wonder if Ron Wilson is stuck in some sort of time warp, still believing that he has Thornton and Marleau to send over the boards. With players of that caliber (and the rest of the Sharks team is pretty good too), you could probably get away with playing a high-tempo, aggressive fore-checking game. However the Leafs are clearly NOT the Sharks. This is a young, fragile, team with smallish forwards and a slow defence. Playing the style they currently play must suit their opponents to a tee. Just let them come in close, then they'll cough up the puck or make an errant pass and then it's onto the counterattack. How many times must we see this scenario unfold before the Leafs play a style which suits their (lack of) talent? Hello, Ron Wilson, are you there?

[leftycanuck]

I agree with the comment about not having a rookie coach in Toronto, but don't forget that Dallas Eakins was an assistant for 2 years under Paul Maurice, so he's already had that experience here.

[mark]

Couldn't agree more with the bloggers calling out Wilson. By every criteria, his tenure in Toronto has to be considered a failure. Some criteria are statistically obvious (standings, PP%, PK%, GF, GA). But there are other criteria I think point to his failure. It's hard to name a player who has actually improved under Wilson's guideance and system (Shen this year, maybe McAuthor)? If nothing else, this team needs to demonstrate that it is making progress under Wilson's leadership. I see no evidence of progrees. He is also prone to strategic errors. Case in point last night when he thought it would be a good idea to put Rosehill and Brent out again Crosby; result goal for Pittsburg. His line juggling or occasional benchings more often then not have backfired. Recall the Kessel benching a few games ago. Does Kessel look like a player who learned any lesson? Really, I'm hard pressed to find anything positive to say. It's time to say bye bye Ronnie.

[Chad]

the Leafs are trying developing a team that plays an aggressive forecheck style of play. so as the team develops, the system develops along with them. you can't tell your players to play "the trap" for 3 years, then when you feel they're more developed and ready to compete switch over to a more agressive style. it doesn't work that way. besides, you don't acquire a potential 40 goal scorer and then tell him to play the trap.
re: Kaberle, i think someone should remind him that he's in a contract year. his stock must have majorly plummeted by now! if he's hoping for a raise over the summer, he better either step up his game or request to be traded to a contender so he can pad his stats a bit more. i thought that not trading him may have been a good thing because he's in a contract year, and a lot of players step up in their contract years. but he's been horrible!!

[red5]

@ Stephen Sims - There are many, many ways of expressing opposing opinions without bullying, belittling, or offending people. Cherry, in many minds, crossed the line from expressing an opinion to trying to belittle and bully those that hold opposite opinions. And in this day an age, and especially at that specific event, there is no cause for that. By calling people "pinkos" and "leftie kooks", Cherry wasn't questioning their opinions, he was belittling people for them. It's called compassion and empathy. Something that is sorely lacking from society these days.

[Max]

Finally someone else who questions the ability of Kaberle.Not only is a liability on defense and a dud on the power ,watch how many passes he tries to guys that are covered and usually standing still be cause of his slow exit from his zone , He overhandles the pack and zaps any speed the forwards had built up. In a game of shinny he would excel!

[Steve C]

Thank you for calling out Cherry as 'our own Palin'. He really needs to stick to hockey - it's so sad that he doesn't even realize how embarrassing he is. The funny thing is I am probably one of those 'pinkos' he despises, and yet I am probably one of his biggest fans. Disagreeing with just about everything he stands for outside of hockey doesn't do the least in keeping me from watching Coach's Corner. This week though, I actually considered it - but it won't happen.

As for Kaberle, he may not be scoring goals but please let's realize he is the ONLY d-man here who can handle the puck. Seeing Luke (no slap shot) Schenn or butterfingers Beauchemin on the powerplay really highlights the need for Kaberle - whether he's hitting, scoring or not.

[Conn Smythe]

'"KADRI DEMOTED" would be the screaming headlines, suggesting failure on Kadri's part.' That's pretty funny - considering it would be the headline from your own newspaper. Maybe if Kadri is demoted you could talk to someone and suggest that the headline say something different.

[Gene]

From where I sit on the couch, the D have improved - much tougher than in previous years. Goaltending has improved. Good prospects in the minors, and a farm system that's getting some depth. BB is rebuilding the organization as well as the team. So progress is being made. Having said that...
Komisarek's tendency to pass tape-to-tape to opposing players in the Leafs' zone, the dangerous pass to the back of the skates of the breaking forwards (Grabovski could have been clobbered last night), the blind back passes that end up on the other team's sticks, and the frequency of passes to Leaf forwards skating the wrong way, or to no-one, through the slot in the Leafs' zone, mean there's a long way to go.
The forwards, well, there's not one line that seems comfortable yet.
Preaching patience is fine, if you're a TV fan. Hey - it's free! If you're a season ticket holder, you won't see a competitive team for at least another two years. Ouch!

[sayitlikeitis]

Excellent comments on Cherry today. I used to be a fan of this clown and could laugh at him....yet more and more he simply isnt funny, nor even interesting...and now that i am getting to see more of him outside HNIC...i actually find himn pretty offensive as a human being,,,,even his "hockey" comments on Coaches Corner now are pretty useless and its really all about Mclean having word puns over him. I actually have found first intermission is the time to get something to eat or drink or jump on the computer...Coaches Corner -- ie Cherry -- has its days numbered i think.

Your comment "He just sees the guns and the glory" was ABSOLUTELY spot on.

What an emberassment he has become to hockey, HNIC and himslef.

[Rob Greenfield]

I mostly agree with you about Don Cherry, Damion. Except, he also has the right to his opinions for all the same reasons you said the "pinkos" have. He just seems to have a "forum" that stirs the pot. While I don't agree with his opinions, he does have the right and freedom to express them and to "slam" others of differing opinions. Maybe folks from the "pinko" side with a forum should be more vocal in countering Cherry's views. Just complaining about it doesn't seem to cut it.

[Brian L]

I came here to say exactly this:

"Second, you wrote that Ron Wilson deserves respect for “sticking to his guns” by coaching a style of play that his players are incapable of playing. It is my belief that a bad coach forces his system upon players and a good coach develops a system that maximizes the potential of the players that he has. That is one (of many) reasons that I think that Wilson should be fired immediately. That is my opinion, I welcome your insults." - Derek Santos

Whats the point in forcing your players to play a game they are not suited for, its not respectable, its not smart, and it certainly does not promote a winning environment. Maybe this closed minded style of coaching is whats sinking the team. Realistically Ron Wilson's coaching success could have been accomplished by anyone (his best period was with San Jose but anyone can win games when Thornton and Marleau are at their prime)

Its a young team, bring in a young coach that the team can actually get behind.

also on a side note I dont think benching Kadri to focus on his "Strength" in the middle of the season makes any sense. Let him learn the NHL game and get used to the speed, strength and size will come in time.

Something stinks in Toronto and it isnt the kids busting their asses every night on and off the ice.

[Brian L]

my bad it was stephen who i quoted!