What you talking about willis? The laid back gum chewing Pat Quinn was the best
- Mapleleafs_91

Burns was the best there ever was. Best Leaf coach of the modern era.

Player's coach, but no doormat. He demanded respect and got it, but he was also his team's biggest supporter.

I think that, as tough as we were last year, our real strength was in the speed/counter-attack game.

Montreal and Toronto both figured out how you play Boston last year. If you want to beat them, you beat them with speed. You take the play to them. If you get sucked into playing conservative, rope-a-dope hockey with them, you lose. They will hang back for 90% of the game, then beat you when it counts.

We lost last year to Boston because we stopped pushing offensively. We suddenly thought, "Okay, trap it up!" like we were the 2002 Devils. Doesn't work these days.

I see virtually none of that counter-punch hockey lately, despite finding success with it even this year. Carlyle wants to impose a style on this team that they aren't equipped for.

You can play Devils hockey if you have Scott Stevens and clutch-and-grab. Not Jake Gardiner and new rules on interference.
- Leeman4Gilmour

I agree, but as I said I really think the first step to getting back to good hockey is to be smarter with our 4 lines. Lines 1 and 2 are getting over worked. Line 3 receives the game and then the 4th doesn't even play anymore. Everybody needs to be involved and it needs to be a balance. Fight fire with fire instead of worrying about all this shut down nonsense, lets play in their end.

What you talking about willis? The laid back gum chewing Pat Quinn was the best
- Mapleleafs_91

Certainly a players coach.

Teams arent letting people fight them and we waste an entire line.
- Bigzby

It's kind of funny that it took reading this post for me to realize what it says is the truth. Teams don't throw heavies over the boards anymore, and we have two of them.

I have to say that i'm surprised Kessel doesn't get more grief. I know he's the leading scorer and top offensive player but I don't see a solid compete level from him on a nightly basis. Wether he wants it or not he's now a leader on the team and he has a solid new contract. He should be bringing it every night.

I agree, but as I said I really think the first step to getting back to good hockey is to be smarter with our 4 lines. Lines 1 and 2 are getting over worked. Line 3 receives the game and then the 4th doesn't even play anymore. Everybody needs to be involved and it needs to be a balance. Fight fire with fire instead of worrying about all this shut down nonsense, lets play in their end.
- dionschenn

I love Jay McClement, but he belongs on the 4th line.

Holland should be in on the 3rd (or 2nd even) until Bolland returns. McClement gives us nothing on that third line.

Losing Komarov blew a giant hole in this roster that I had no idea would be so hard to fill. For a bottom-sixer, he gave us everything we could have asked for: agitating, hitting, a little offense, great skating, PK...

You noticed a 4th line shift last year. You knew who was out there. I couldn't tell you who's playing 4th line on any given day this year. They're useless and completely invisible.

Certainly a players coach.
- golfingsince

But ultimately, a dinosaur. Doomed for extinction.

His thoughts on the game were tailored for a certain era. After the lost season, Quinn's career was as good as done. Couldn't keep up.

Just takes time (Cox)

Certainly a players coach.
- golfingsince

Thing is with Quinn he played the best players

dave bidini retweeted

Ryan Walsh @LegendOfZombo
Ok, legitimate question... If you find a rusty nail in your take out, what the hell do you do?


Dont try eating it....

Burns was the best there ever was. Best Leaf coach of the modern era.

Player's coach, but no doormat. He demanded respect and got it, but he was also his team's biggest supporter.
- Leeman4Gilmour

agreed

I dont blame RC at all, these guys need to play for themselves their teammates, pride, all of that doesnt involve quitting which includes on a coach.

But ultimately, a dinosaur. Doomed for extinction.

His thoughts on the game were tailored for a certain era. After the lost season, Quinn's career was as good as done. Couldn't keep up.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Didn't he win the WJC afterwards?

The guy is far too old and frail to coach now. He looked deathly at Bure's retirement ceremony.

Burns was the best there ever was. Best Leaf coach of the modern era.

Player's coach, but no doormat. He demanded respect and got it, but he was also his team's biggest supporter.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Praise in public, censor in private.

RC would be 10x more respected if even tried to work this into his MO...

I dont blame RC at all, these guys need to play for themselves their teammates, pride, all of that doesnt involve quitting which includes on a coach.
- Bigzby

Still, when your coach isn't smart enough to work a (frank)ing toaster, you have to wonder where his gameplan is coming from....

Carlyle still lives in the shutdown era. He still clings to outdated notions of defense and the New Jersey Devils glory years.

The NHL is all about counter-attacking these days. You need mobile defensemen who can skate with the puck with confidence, and not big, lumbering guys like Fraser with no discernible offensive instincts.

If we go in another direction, we need to take a shot on a guy with some revolutionary ideas on how to coach the game today. Go with a younger AHL type. Quit chasing the big names from a bygone era.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Not saying I think the shutdown style is one that we should be using, but the great teams in the West would have something to say about that style being 'out of date'.

Praise in public, censor in private.

RC would be 10x more respected if even tried to work this into his MO...
- lumlums

The world is far more social media driven than even when Carlyle won the cup in Anaheim. The instant access all fans have to pretty much everything is insane. When Burns was coaching most people didn't have internet and those that did were on dial-up.

Oh guys were out of a playoff spot now wooooooooooo

Still, when your coach isn't smart enough to work a (frank)ing toaster, you have to wonder where his gameplan is coming from....
- lumlums

The problem with coaching is theres really only 5-10 studs. And 30 teams. Fire RC and get who? I heard hunter which would be cool but who else?

The problem with coaching is theres really only 5-10 studs. And 30 teams. Fire RC and get who? I heard hunter which would be cool but who else?
- Bigzby

Fire now, think later.

Fire now, think later.
- golfingsince

The problem with coaching is theres really only 5-10 studs. And 30 teams. Fire RC and get who? I heard hunter which would be cool but who else?
- Bigzby

I do think Doug Gilmour is in the plans for this franchise, 5-10 years down the road or so. As for right now, I have no idea. Carlyle will get some more time to figure this out.

- Fruitcakenipple

It really is the attitude of a sports fan though. I can't (frank)ing wait to get rid of this guy. 2 weeks later....Who's this (frank)ing clown behind the bench?

It really is the attitude of a sports fan though. I can't (frank)ing wait to get rid of this guy. 2 weeks later....Who's this (frank)ing clown behind the bench?
- golfingsince

His name is John.


Get in the blue paint!!!!!

- Iggysbff