Ron Wilson has been the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs for two seasons. In those two years special teams remain among the worst in the NHL. The Leafs have also been the worst defensive team in the league during this time period.
Last season they placed 23rd among thirty teams and this year the Leafs finished 29th overall. The fact that they traded away their first round pick makes this even harder to swallow. The Boston Bruins will likely choose Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall with Toronto’s pick.
Is Wilson the right coach for the Maple Leafs? This question is not being posed to argue Wilson’s coaching aptitude or that of his assistants. I’m wondering if Wilson can coach a group of young hockey players that require someone who can teach. A coach from a junior league or the college hockey system might be a better fit.
Ron Wilson is a good coach but I never bought his ability to guide a rebuilding team. He’s a veteran player’s coach and, good or bad, these type of coaches usually don’t have the specific expertise to lead raw young players on to the ice.
The Leafs need a coach that has the patience to be a leader rather than a preacher. Young players also need to build up confidence and a trustworthy bond with their coaches. Wilson, on the other hand, uses the media to lash out at his players and hopefully embarrass them enough to get a better performance the next time around.
This type of motivation is archaic and I don’t think I’m wrong in saying that it doesn’t work with a lot of the younger players. It’s a short-term fix for someone who is desperately trying to speed up the rebuilding process and no one seems to be questioning the Maple Leafs’ coaching staff
They are getting a pass while everyone else has to answer for the Maple Leafs poor play in the past two seasons. It seems like that feeling of self entitlement, discussed by Brian Burke, has shifted from the players to the coaches.
Never once did I hear Ron Wilson suggest that maybe it’s his fault. The players are always to blame and most of the time I agree. Wilson hasn’t been given a lot of great players to work with but this years’ team was vastly improved and it finished further down the standings. How and Why?
Ron says he loves to work with young players because they can be moulded to fit his system. So I guess it’s his system that’s the problem. Or the players just don’t want to listen to him because they’re sick and tired of being hung out to dry during post game media scrums.
If young players are so easy to coach then why is Wilson failing miserably? Is he the kind of coach that needs all-stars to succeed (i.e. the 2010 Winter Olympics). If that’s the case then maybe the Leafs should find a more appropriate coaching staff that can work with the players they have and make the most of the situation.
Special Teams more-less fall on the hands of assistant coaches. Some of them (not naming any names) have been there throughout all these years of bad special teams, maybe that particular former Flyer should be shown the exit.
Thanks for comment Corey. I agree.
I just think they should all go. Especially if they get off to another bad start.
Plus, it’s still Wilson’s fault because he must agree with his assistants’ strategies and coaching methods otherwise why does he stick up for them. They would have been gone a long time ago if it wasn’t Wilson that wanted them there. Ultimately, especially in Wilson’s case, the coaches get to choose who they surround themselves with.
Thanks!
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