Whine and Money

This is a surprise. Word has it Leafs' head coach Ron Wilson has taken slight responsibility for his team's repulsive start to this 5th straight playoff-less season. Nearly repentant, almost, he says he maybe could've worked his youngsters into the line-up better, sooner. But of course, and inevitably, Wilson was quick to point out other factors (out of his control and coming from above) that played a role in the futility to follow.

Something for nothing

It's those exhibition games, too many of 'em says the boss, that really threw the Blue and White crew for a loop. Wilson wanted extra pre-season time to instruct and mould his unit, not make money for the mother corp. But what's an owner to do? There's little to no expectation of bonus revenue post-season, so it has to come from somewhere. The theory: get while the getting is fresh and available, even at the expense of the head coach's preferred method of how the early-going should go.

BS

What isn't a surprise is that MLSE would attempt this kind of stuff. The company's a money maker not a winner. And it shouldn't surprise anyone that Wilson would attempt to deflect his own embarrassment onto something, someone, anyone else. How many times were his players hung out to dry from his post-game pulpit? I'm not saying those players should've been exempt from criticism, but here's a guy so willing to remind us of his numerous accomplishments yet annoyingly slow in admitting blame on himself. Sure, extra workout time would've been nice pre-season, but aren't those games of shinny are for tweaking and adjusting anyway? And couldn't the kids have just played the back-to-backs in Buffalo and Detroit while the veterans stayed back to fine tune for the real stuff? And WHAT IF the Leafs had only played three preseason games? What would the ultimate excuse have been then? No doubt Wilson would've had one. It's as money as his whine.

Front loaded

The Leafs are planning to roll out the same procession of those cash grabbing pre-season games this coming fall. Remember! Generating additional dough at the gates is important to team brass, and without a top-heavy schedule it doesn't happen.

Nothing to worry about

There's nothing to worry about for Ron Wilson. No shrugs. No what ifs. No excuses. At least not now. While the Leafs' pre-season, regular season and non-participation in the post-season isn't expected to change, another thing could very well be different this time next Spring. The possibility is very real that Ron Wilson won't have to lay his annual blame come April 2011, especially if we're immersed in another of these wasted campaigns. Thing is, we'll all just have to endure it a lot sooner. Maybe much sooner. Yet another classic Ron Wilson whine, one last time.

There's no justice

The reaper slipped. He found his way just in time, but he did let his guard down and the Leafs, a wickedly entertaining, water gun slinging posse, almost shot him between the eyes. Credit the effort. Wow, was that ever an effort! Was it too much? Did they expend everything they had left? Perhaps too much hammered out before the game, the win, the real heart and soul performance we crave tonight? Hope not. I'm also hoping Ron Wilson keeps his sanity intact and goes with Da Monsta in Montreal. He must, because Da Monsta is da man. Always and forever. After all, Jonas Gustavsson is the saviour. He is.

There's passion and there's points. The Leafs need both this evening. It's the only way to head home with happiness and hope.

A "Best of" edition of Da Hook airs tonight, 5:30 at am980.ca

C'mon, Ron

"You'll just have to come to the game tomorrow and see who comes out of the tunnel first"

"It's awful hard to feel good about yourself if you're always being questioned"

- Rockin' Ronnie Wilson

Are you serious, Ron?

Folks, I'm tellin' ya, this man is going to drive himself wild if he can't accept his relationship with the media. The goaltending situation with the world's most scrutinized hockey club is a major issue these days. The fact constant questions about the keeper are throwing Wilson for a loop is not only a concern, it's troubling. A veteran of the biz should be able to maintain his cool as well as a workable comprehension of his surroundings. Whether mundane, monotonous, meaty or meaningful, questions about his keeper(s) will continue to hit, smack, whack and attack him until the riddle is solved. Perhaps his own frustrations with the incumbent are leaking through a rigid exterior that's on the verge of cracking? God, let's hope not. A media melt down in this town wouldn't go over well. Besides, it's way too soon for something like that; even for Ron Wilson in Toronto, a guy who's going to blow his stack eventually and in a place that certainly has it coming.

My choice vs Sens, Pens: Jonas Gustavsson
Rationale: Let Vesa Toskala work his way back into the line-up

That a Boyd

Weird, watching your team and not really caring if it wins. I wouldn't describe it as apathy. Acceptance, yeah that's more like it. A win over the Senators in the final game of the season would've meant what? Pride? Development? Standing? None of it matters on a night like this. Hey, what ever happened to that battle of Ontario anyway? Sure, a Leafs loss tonight might have had them selecting in the top 5 this June, but even that juicy possibility didn't have many of us oooooing and aaaahhhing one way or the other. Its been a long year. Let's just get it over with. If anything, I wanted to see some of the players pad their stats on the final night. One: for me to look at. I love pouring over sports statistics. Two: for some of the others to use as ammo in their summer job search.

Go get'em, BD


Boyd Devereaux

Doubt there's a nicer more genuinely liked guy on the team than Seaforth's favourite son. Well, its either Boyd or Lloyd...Eisler. Ring a bell? You know, the figure skater. He's from Seaforth too and is in the running with Boyd for Seaforth's favourite son. Boyd or Lloyd: Who will it be? More at 11. Anyway, I don't mean to talk about Boyd like he's the local nitwit who everyone should feel sorry for, but really, its not hard to gush over the type of guy he is. He's just plain friendly. He's just plain likable. Traits I found out about first hand, oh geez...almost 10 years ago now. A few months into my first TV job I was assigned to cover a Kitchener Rangers practice. I think, the fall of '99? Anyway, I was in one of the many corridors of the Aud waiting for a few players to come out for interviews when I met Boyd who was back in town for a visit while stationed with the Oilers' former AHL club in Hamilton. He realized I was from the local TV station and asked how a colleague of mine was doing. Most former junior players return to their junior hockey towns, but its rare for them to consider anyone from the media when they do. I asked how things were going with the Oilers and he was candid in telling me that he wasn't doing enough to stay in the show. He did promise however he'd continue to work hard to get back under the bright lights at some point soon. Heck, he even helped me corrale Derek Roy who was in his rookie year with the Rangers. Man, Derek couldn't even string a sentence together back in those days. Its amusing to watch him do interviews now. He's polished, to the point and smooth. To think of how far he's come when talking to the media is pretty wild. Again though, it was really nice of Boyd to help a TV rookie like me, who like him, was just trying to make a positive and lasting impression on management, just trying to live his dream.

Skip ahead

All these years, a Stanley Cup, and 6 teams later we watch as Boyd now a 12 year NHL veteran, struggles to stay relevant in a league he's hoping hasn't passed him by. Credit Brian Burke for figuring out a way to recall him. Credit BB for giving him every opportunity to show the hockey world he belongs somewhere next season, perhaps beyond. Here's hoping Boyd's late season scoring surge secures him a job next fall. Hey, a hat trick Saturday, 6 goals in his past 8 games. That's making a statement. And of course, each goal earned with hard work, a trademark smile and innate sportsmanship. Someone sign this guy up.


Cup champ in '02

BTW

What's with Grapes going off on Ron Wilson? Obviously there's bad blood, but is it mutual? I get the sense this "feud", if you can call it that, has been manufactured by Cherry's people. I do like how was talking up Boyd Devereaux though. Anything to help a good guy land a job is fine by me. Anyway, I think Ron should respond to Mighty Mouth. He did with a sarcastic Howard Berger and put him in his place. Then again, RW wouldn't be looking down on this opponent. In the end it could be more trouble than its worth.

Thanks for a...nother season.

Standing in the way

So this is pretty much it for me. The end game. After tonight the Leafs can fizzle the rest of the way. I really won't care because it really won't matter much.

But tonight, oh tonight it has to be all about upsetting, thwarting, screwing up, do whatever it takes to fuck over the Canadiens.

This is what's its come down to, and hey, if the shoe were on the other foot the Habs would take great pleasure in doing the same. A Leafs win tonight won't vault them into the playoffs but it would secure another season-series triumph over their ancient rivals. Consider the Canadiens were supposed to be a juggernaut and the Leafs a mere forgetmenaut and its a big deal! And face it, this weird season of ups and downs and excitement and confusion would be easier to digest if the Leafs were to win tonight. A win over the Habs is always accompanied by an extra dose of satisfaction, even if it fails to prevent them from making the playoffs.

Of course, like most Leaf supporters my eyes are on the future with interest and hope, but for today/tonight its all about the 'now' and I don't doubt the guys wearing blue-and-white this evening feel any different. Really, do they have much choice?

Its now or never.

With this young group, Ron Wilson hockey is about promise today for a promise of more later. You've gotta bring it to be brought along, and there's no better example of a time to do that than against the Canadiens.

One more time, boys.

He had it coming

Beautiful, beautiful stuff from ACC following the Leafs 3-2 OT win over John Tavares' future team. Its essentially Ron Wilson bitch slapping Fan590 beat reporter, Howard Berger.

I think Berger is one of the best hockey reporters in the biz, but he's as arrogant as Wilson. He had it coming and it finally arrived.

Enjoy...