Truth & Rumors > NHL

Maple Leafs leaning to Wilson?

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The Maple Leafs probably won't have a new general manager in the near future, but the same likely can't be said about a new head coach. Interim GM Cliff Fletcher made it clear earlier this week that time is of the essence in getting the team in order and, to that end, Sportsnet reported last night that Fletcher has made contact with Ron Wilson, who was fired by the San Jose Sharks earlier this month. The belief is that the Leafs want a coach in place before the NHL entry draft in Ottawa in three weeks.

Toronto Sun

Ron Wilson, AP Ron Wilson, AP
June 1, 2008  09:17 AM ET

As much as Wilson can be a little egotistical and arrogant, (maybe not a bad thing in Toronto) His winning percentage is excellant. The knock on him is he hasn't won a Stanley Cup with the Sharks.
Just because your Team is a Cup favourite during the regular season does not guarantee Stanley success. It's the playoffs!
Fletcher would do well to let Sundin take a hike. Much can be done with 8 million dollars after 13 yrs of The Swede we've seen enough of him.
Let him walk!
He's a number 2 center on a good team!
I doubt very much he can repeat the type of season he had last year & Toronto needs to stop rewarding players based on past performance. If you're going to re-build...then do it. Big time!

June 1, 2008  09:19 AM ET

The "Rainman" photo is a little disconcerting though...
"I'm an excellant driver, yeah."

June 1, 2008  09:26 AM ET

He's not going to win any Cups with Toronto either.
Baun-ded: Do you think he'll fly Quantas from California to Toronto for the interview (LOL).

June 1, 2008  10:01 AM ET

Popking> I don't think so. No. Definately not.
Wapner in 10 minutes.

June 1, 2008  10:57 AM ET

It was disgusting how NBC didn't mention at all the death of Luc bourdon of the Canucks.
To add insult to injury, they ran an ad over the moment of silence as well as the anthem. Really bad judgement.
It's also a shame that NBC can't put out half decent announcers. Everyone of them is brutal especially Pierre McGuire. What an annoying little insect!
NBC should put Chris Cuthbert on as their main play by play man.

Robert

June 1, 2008  11:52 AM ET

JohnBooth:
Try to watch hockey on a Canadian network. If you cant get one, I feel sorry for you. The American networrks don't know $h!+ about hockey, and the only reason they're showing hockey is because it's re-run season.

June 1, 2008  12:28 PM ET

Baun,

I agree with you on Wilson. He is a fine coach. He would be a good fit in Toronto, he is experienced with the media and focus that is put on the sport there.

I also agree with your point on Sundin. Let him go. Personally, I believe he is garbage for not accepting a trade (which would have been for all of three months) and then jump ship the following year. He has always been paid large to play in Toronto, so it is difficult to feel sorry for him. Yes, he has had some weak linemates, but hardly anyone has made his money during his era. 8 million can add lots of depth to this team, which it needs more than a #1 centreman at the moment.

June 1, 2008  02:27 PM ET

Robert... NBC's game intro featured a picture of Bourdon with Doc Emrick giving well-wishes to the Bourdon family, the Canucks family, and the NHL family in general. It then faded into commercial. While I agree that Bourdon should have gotten more airtime - especially with the moment of silence and the anthem, NBC didn't completely leave out Bourdon.

June 1, 2008  02:28 PM ET

And for the record, Wilson is a great fit in Toronto... but they will need a heck of a lot more than him to be a real force again. I think it may be time to let Sundin walk...

June 1, 2008  04:13 PM ET

Boston> It is quite likely that the Leafs are going to wait on Burke. Therefore Wilson will have a year to show what he can do. If successfull will probably get an extention..if not, the Leafs have lost nothing as Burke will bring in his own people anyways.
There is, believe it or not, a long term plan in the works here.
As far as a plan...
Peddie can't be fired, so...
Cliff will remain in place until things clear up on the Burke front.
Meanwhile the Leafs still have a season of hockey in front of them.
A good and proven coach is a good start under the circumstances.
I agree, Mats goes.
Trading McCabe might not be that simple.
Blake has to be better than he was last year and will improve his stock so that perhaps the Leafs can make a deal for him at the next trade deadline.
I don't mind Kubina that much. He is pretty much paid what he is worth.
Raycroft will be gone.
Money from letting Mats walk will be useful for F/As.
Firesales never produce positive results Boston...Patience is the key here. I'd give Blake a longer look under a new coach as well as some others. I'm not convinced that Wellwood isn't useful either. Again...I didn't ever care much for Maurice and his smart mouth.

June 1, 2008  09:50 PM ET

They either took this photo for his passport or they took it right after he was fired.

June 1, 2008  09:58 PM ET

you can hire scotty bowman, mike babcock and jesus christ but if you don't get the horses behind you it's difficult to win. Everyone blames Paul Maurice but he wasn't playing defence, forward or goalie. He coached Detroit Jr wings when I played in the OHL and he had a great team and they won. Do you think Scotty Bowman would take the Leafs job?

June 1, 2008  10:23 PM ET

They offered Scotty the job and he said he'd take it a few years back... but the Leafs don't want to give him total control.... because, they know better then him, pfft.

bostongm... they'd have to buy-out McCabe too. NOBODY is gonna take him at his salary,

June 1, 2008  10:47 PM ET

Can someone buy out Rick Piddie & Co? That's the only way out of this mess for the Leafs. Get rid of those useless fat cats that know diddly squat about hockey!

June 2, 2008  01:42 AM ET

get used to that pose,as you,ll constantly be asking god almighty why you took the job.

June 2, 2008  06:54 AM ET

I guess Wilson's going to be the next scape goat for why Toronto won't win the cup. Much more needs to be done. I agree fully with Bostongm. They need to do at least that much before anything else can be taken seriously.

 
June 2, 2008  06:59 AM ET

this just in......Brian Burke's wife is not keeping her job in Vancouver. The rumor mill says that's a step closer to Brian coming to Toronto. Whatever, wake me if he is actually here.

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