Leafs Win Rookie Tournament Finale; Carlyle Fires Back At Critics

The Toronto Maple Leafs wrapped up the rookie tournament in London, ON with a 2-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Budweiser Gardens with a roster made up mostly of free agent invitees.

2014 top pick William Nylander, first rounder Tyler Biggs and defenseman Tom Nilsson did not play in the contest, as well as center Frederik Gauthier and winger David Broll, who were injuried in games over the weekend.

Brett Findlay and free agent Parker Bowles scored goals and 2013 draft pick Antoine Bibeau made 25 saves for the shutout.

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Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle is deemed by most hockey experts as being the most pressure on him and likely candidate to be fired at some point this upcoming season, but in an interview on the eve of training camp with the Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons, the former Norris Trophy winning defenseman indicates that the pressure to succeed is on everyone.

“This season is not about me, not at all. It’s about the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’ll never be about me. I’m a sidebar. I’m the tsetse fly on the wall.… Carlyle said. “This season is about the Maple Leafs. It’s about our team. It’s about our players. It’s about our organization. The reality is, we have to win more games. Simple as that. Winning cures pretty much everything.…

Those calling for the veteran coach’s ouster believe that his tactics and preference for a physical brand of hockey were contributing factors in the club’s collapses over the last two seasons, but Carlyle responded defiantly to that criticism.

“They’ve never walked a mile in my shoes. How many of them have coached? How many of them have been behind a bench at any level? They can say whatever they have. They’re going to, but I don’t give two flips about it.… Carlyle said. “I could go and criticize the auto mechanic who is working on my car. Meanwhile, he’s got 10 years of education and experience behind him. I could still criticize him, but is that auto mechanic really going to give a shit what I have to say about him?…

“I’m open to criticism. That’s part of the job. Especially here(in Toronto). Those are things you can’t control. You do your best, the best way you know it. So why sweat it if you can’t control it?…

Wednesday – A review of the rookie tournament and the Leafs training camp roster

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