Post by habsgm on Apr 21, 2006 7:51:50 GMT -5
The thing that needed chaning in Toronto was not the coach - it was the GM. He's the guy who stocks the cupboard, it's up to the coach to pick the utensils and set the table. Pat Quinn did the best he could given the tools he was given. People may bitch about him given Antro too much time (I think he did) or playing Ponikarovsky excessively or not giving some youth more a shot. However, I trusted him and had full belief that he was trying to get the best from his club.
First and foremost, it's my opinion that short of a gold medal for Canada in Torino and a semi final berth in the playoffs this season - Quinn was done. There's no way Maurice takes a job in the A last fall unless there is a serious carrot being dangled - bench boss of the big Leafs. And then the GM has the gall to say " . . . However, our results on the ice this season fell below our expectations,” said John Ferguson, general manager of the Maple Leafs. “A new head coach will bring a new perspective, a new approach that will yield future results that we expect. This move is about the future as much as it’s about what’s transpired."
When the leafs were struggling around the McCabe injury John Ferguson Junior (JFJ) did nothing, when Toronto goaltendng faltered with Eddie (and may god bless Eddie), JFJ did nothing, so when he stood behind a microphone yesterday and said part of the plan was to sign short term contracts this seeason past and make no big moves then where does he get off saying that 'we're disappointed'. Many people (except those in denial ahem ahem) picked the Leafs to finish out of the playoffs this season. It happened. If anything this club may have over achieved in having been in the race technically until the second last game of the season. Moreover, that guy did nothing with Czerkawski, but let him sit in the pressbox all season, he blew a load of dough on Eddie, he did not make one notable improvement over the course of the year. He did not change one item in Quinn's cupboard until the Klee - Richardson upgrade (downgrade?) at the deadline. Then he stands up and says 'we're disappointed' . . well you know I'd be disappointed too if I went out in the rain without a raincoat or umbrella and got wet.
Quinn has been successful as the Leaf's bench boss since he came on board. Granted there has been no sips from Stanley, but every year the club has been primed for a run, some years better than ever, some years worse and lots of adversity to deal with along the way. So where does the (new) GM get off saying its time for change in the coaching department, when he's the one responsible for bringing in quality players. It's been JFJ's performance that has been disappointing. He, as part of his plan, dealt Quinn a lousy hand this season and now has the gumption to use Quinn's inability to make something good out of very little as an excuse to remove him. Boooo!
First and foremost, it's my opinion that short of a gold medal for Canada in Torino and a semi final berth in the playoffs this season - Quinn was done. There's no way Maurice takes a job in the A last fall unless there is a serious carrot being dangled - bench boss of the big Leafs. And then the GM has the gall to say " . . . However, our results on the ice this season fell below our expectations,” said John Ferguson, general manager of the Maple Leafs. “A new head coach will bring a new perspective, a new approach that will yield future results that we expect. This move is about the future as much as it’s about what’s transpired."
When the leafs were struggling around the McCabe injury John Ferguson Junior (JFJ) did nothing, when Toronto goaltendng faltered with Eddie (and may god bless Eddie), JFJ did nothing, so when he stood behind a microphone yesterday and said part of the plan was to sign short term contracts this seeason past and make no big moves then where does he get off saying that 'we're disappointed'. Many people (except those in denial ahem ahem) picked the Leafs to finish out of the playoffs this season. It happened. If anything this club may have over achieved in having been in the race technically until the second last game of the season. Moreover, that guy did nothing with Czerkawski, but let him sit in the pressbox all season, he blew a load of dough on Eddie, he did not make one notable improvement over the course of the year. He did not change one item in Quinn's cupboard until the Klee - Richardson upgrade (downgrade?) at the deadline. Then he stands up and says 'we're disappointed' . . well you know I'd be disappointed too if I went out in the rain without a raincoat or umbrella and got wet.
Quinn has been successful as the Leaf's bench boss since he came on board. Granted there has been no sips from Stanley, but every year the club has been primed for a run, some years better than ever, some years worse and lots of adversity to deal with along the way. So where does the (new) GM get off saying its time for change in the coaching department, when he's the one responsible for bringing in quality players. It's been JFJ's performance that has been disappointing. He, as part of his plan, dealt Quinn a lousy hand this season and now has the gumption to use Quinn's inability to make something good out of very little as an excuse to remove him. Boooo!