Ron Wilson was given a pass from media in Toronto in year one of his tenure but if things don't turn around fast he will be in for a rough ride.
The free ride is over for Ron Wilson.
While nobody puts too much stock in pre-season games, Toronto Maple Leafs fans (and the media) will be watching closely to see if Wilson makes a greater impact on the team than he did in his first season behind the bench.
Wilson, a respected coach who took the Washington Capitals to the Stanley Cup final back in 1997–98, but was unable to get a very-talented San Jose Sharks team over the hump, failed to make his mark on the Leafs last season, but truthfully, how much was really expected from a team that by their own admission had one bona fide top-six forward? It was a lost year from the get-go, but that will no longer be the case.
The Maple Leafs will not be a threat to compete for the Stanley Cup, but based on the moves that were made in the off-season, specifically the addition of solid defencemen Mike Komisarek and Francois Beauchemin, it is not unreasonable to suggest the Leafs will be better at keeping pucks out of their net.
Toronto finished dead last in goals-against last season allowing an average of 3.49 goals per game. Not too much was made of that fact despite Wilson and his coaching staff making a big deal about the team's desire to be a strong defensive team at the start of the year. It was clear the Leafs were not going to be a scoring machine last year, but there was precious few signs that anything resembling a defensive scheme was put into play. That must change, especially given the fact goal-scoring may still be and issue and the team has stocked up along the blueline.
The Maple Leafs have not played a playoff game since before the lockout and GM Brian Burke has made no bones about the fact that must change this season. And when you look at his work in the off-season, adding toughness up front in Colton Orr and Wayne Primeau to go with the addition of Komisarek, Beauchemin and Garnet Exelby on defence, you'd have to say he has set the table for his coach to make a greater impact this season.
It won't be easy. Besides the team's horrible goals-against last season, Toronto also ranked 30th in penalty killing with a 74.7 per cent success rate. The New York Rangers, who ranked first, had an 87.8 per cent success rate so you have an idea of how much ground the Leafs have to make up. If the Leafs are to become a more physical team, another Burke promise, then that could lead to more shorthanded situations. Weak penalty killing could kill this team's playoff hopes.
One of the biggest obstacles Wilson could face is the media. With the exception of one very public verbal tiff with mild-mannered radio reporter Howard Berger last season, Wilson was pretty much given free reign by the NHL's toughest media. Expect each and every one of his decisions to be scrutinized this year and when that happens, Wilson could become defensive. He does have a history of getting a little sarcastic when he is pushed by the media and he'll soon find out that won't play in his favor.
When the team wins, the media will be back off Wilson, but if it loses, post-game scrums could provide as many fireworks as you'll see on the ice.
That said, I think Wilson will make a positive impact this season. I admit I was surprised that I didn't see a better defensive system last year, but I fully expect the coach's standards to rise significantly. Players will be held more accountable and I expect the coach will, too.
CASHING IN: Are there two Antoine Vermettes? Seriously, I know about the guy who played for the Ottawa Senators and was later dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets. But he can't be the guy who was just awarded a five-year, $18.75-million contract extension, can he? Vermette, 27, managed 16 goals and 41 points in 79 games with Ottawa and Columbus last season and had donuts in four playoff games. In fact, Vermette has 87 goals and 180 points in 376 career games and just four goals and eight points in 42 playoff games. How does a player with those numbers score a deal worth nearly $4 million a year? Two million a year, perhaps. I hope Vermette likes Columbus because this deal makes him virtually untradeable.
MONITORING MIKE: New Dallas Stars coach Marc Crawford is convinced veteran centre Mike Modano can still be a significant contributor, but says he'll probably play a reduced role on the club. Crawford says there will be nights when Modano will skate a regular shift, but there might also be games when, if he doesn't think the 39-year-old has much pep, his playing time will be cut back. Modano had just 15 goals and 46 points in 80 games last season and was minus-13.
