Ask my fellow Maple Leafs followers about this year's squad and you're sure to get back one response: "The team sure is fun to watch!"
You know what? Screw "fun."
I don't know what's fun about watching my team let in three, four, five, and six goals every night. I don't know what's fun about leading the league in goals against, and having the league's worst shorthanded unit.
You know what's a lot of fun? Defence. Even more fun than that? Killing a penalty.
I know, the Leafs' goaltending has been bad. OK, worse than that. Downright Raycroftian. Vesa Toskala and Curtis "Old Yeller" Joseph have collaborated on a 3.51 goals against average, and a .869 save percentage. Joseph's stats, frightening to begin with, actually got worse after last night's shelling.
He's now sporting a tidy 3.95 GAA and an .851 save percentage. Even Raycroft is laughing at him. As was discussed over at Pension Plan Puppets, "Old Yeller" Cujo needs to be put down.
Our "magicians of the meshed mansions," as Joe Bowen would say, are not getting the job done. They are brutal. But the goalie in me isn't going to sit back and let my peeps in the blue paint shoulder all the blame. Where's the help?
The Leafs, as has been the norm post-lockout, are atrocious defensively, and once again look lost beyond their own blue line.
Where's the coaching? I thought Ron Wilson was a defence-oriented cat. Did I read the wrong memo? Right now I can't tell the difference between Wilson and Paul Maurice.
Look, I know we're rebuilding. I know this team isn't very good. I have no problem with losing, as long as the effort is there. I'd just rather lose 2-1, than 6-3. I mean, it's infuriating to see this Leafs team spot their opposition two-nothing leads on the regular, and blow three-nothing leads and lose in overtime.
It's maddeningly frustrating to see the Leafs dead last in penalty killing efficiency, with a 73.5 percent "success" rate. If 23 other teams can be at the 80 percent or better mark, why can't we?
Where is the defensive accountability?
What makes the Leafs' struggles in their own end all the more difficult to swallow is the fact that, one quarter into the season, this team has proven it can score. Toronto is one of only eight teams averaging over three goals a game.
I think Ron Wilson has done great things in the dressing room. He's brought change, Obama style. I loved how he benched Matt Stajan, and now has him playing the best hockey of his life. Wilson keeps it real and, if you're not performing (see Blake, Jason), you're not playing.
But Mr. Wilson has failed to deliver on his promise to make the Leafs a tougher team to play against, especially on home ice. The personnel has changed, but the results are just more of the same: fishing the puck out of the back of the net on a regular basis.
And, let me tell you, I'm not finding it much fun to watch.
comments (1) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
Ron Wilson has made this team a way better defensive team. This years squad is better then last years and guess what they've had a few bad games but really who cares it's a rebuilding year and i can't believe there are still fans out there who think this team is supposed to make the playoffs and win the cup. You know what a good season would be? setting up some core young guys,picking up some picks and prospects and finishing with a top 6 pick. Don't get down on them because they're losing so far i'd say the leafs plan is right on track. And Vesa Toskala is doing bad. So what he's not are goalie of the future so who really gives a crap we don't need him to stand on his head this season. And maybe if teams think the leafs are a joke then when they are ready to make a playoff run we'll catch teams off guard.
write a new comment