Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Caps- new start and a big focus on playerss

[Guy Boucher]

Well put. That really bugged me about Randy. Professionalism and a sense of urgency is what the leafs need in a coach. IMO Randy didn't seem to have a lot of respect among the players.

I don't know. I think Randy is a likeable person. I think the players liked him and definitely the media did (hence the "Protect Randy/Blame the Players" narrative the media has been pumping).

I think the problem with Randy was the looks of exasperation and the "I don't understand...this is mind-boggling" and constant looks of defeat.

The players look to their coach for leadership and direction and Randy didn't have any to give them.

The players struggle, the coach doesn't give direction/instruction, they struggle more.

 

[realgoodleafs]

I hope the players take to heart what Horachek was saying in those tweets.

He actually said "I want resolve" and most of what he said is that he wants to see a positive attitude.

 

[Mess]

It's going to be exciting to watch the Leafs and see what the ice-time distribution will be and who will be going out against whom and how the lines will shake out.

So, it's Horachek who will be handling the lines then. Is this known?

Spott formerly coached the specialty teams so that is likely to remain the same while I would imagine Horachek handles ES play, including line combos and ice-time.

 

[SprDaVE]

I don't know. I think Randy is a likeable person. I think the players liked him and definitely the media did (hence the "Protect Randy/Blame the Players" narrative the media has been pumping).

I think the problem with Randy was the looks of exasperation and the "I don't understand...this is mind-boggling" and constant looks of defeat.

The players look to their coach for leadership and direction and Randy didn't have any to give them.

The players struggle, the coach doesn't give direction/instruction, they struggle more.

It's mind boggling that your coach has no answers. When he started to throw out the "I don't know", he should have been fired on the spot then. I've said it for a long time that his job IS to know what's happening and how to fix it. That's exactly why he's there... but he didn't know what to do. It's mind boggling.

I have no idea why the Leafs management thought it would be a good idea to give him another chance to right the ship. He didn't know how to fix it then, he surely wouldn't know how to fix it now.

 

[JoeyBeans]

Improvement won't happen over night though, I hope people understand. Likely to take at least a few games, if not a few weeks.

weeks? try next season.

 

[LeafsMonster]

Carrick called up. Good for him, maybe we'll see a four line game today.

No ashton, carrick up, already liking what I'm seeing

 

[Mess]

Carrick called up. Good for him, maybe we'll see a four line game today.

No ashton, carrick up, already liking what I'm seeing

Keep in mind that both those moves are GM transactions not coaching moves.

Carrick should add a spark to the line-up today if he plays his usual rambunctious style. He is a fun player to watch as he plays with a lot of heart and emotion, which is something seriously lacking on the Leafs at times.

 

[Daisy Jane]

Horacheck is in a very weird spot. we're barely in the playoffs and projected not to make it - but we're in there.

If Horacheck (I don't see them bringing anyone else in for the year) gets us to the playoffs, and is presentable - this does awesome things for him. If we continue to flame out - i reallllllly hope the arrows aren't pointed at him.

 

[SprDaVE]

Carrick called up. Good for him, maybe we'll see a four line game today.

No ashton, carrick up, already liking what I'm seeing

Probably means Kadri isn't ready to go though and they want to shift Winnik back to winger. So we're likely to see Bozak, Smith, McKegg and Carrick down the middle.

Carrick is a legit bottom 6 center though. He's got a scoring touch, he hits, wins faceoffs and plays with energy. I just hope Horachek and Spott play him and McKegg decent minutes.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Paul Hendrick @HennyTweets
Sam Carrick recalled from Marlies. #TMLtalk

Nice! Maybe we'll see more ice time with the "new" coaches

 

[realgoodleafs]

Keep in mind that both those moves are GM transactions not coaching moves.

Carrick should add a spark to the line-up today if he plays his usual rambunctious style. He is a fun player to watch as he plays with a lot of heart and emotion, which is something seriously lacking on the Leafs at times.

Didn't we bring in Clarkson for heart and emotion?

 

[SprDaVE]

Didn't we bring in Clarkson for heart and emotion?

*Sigh* Yep...

But all he does is fall down and failed toe drags.

 

[Budsfan]

Chris Johnston @reporterchris
The #leafs have four assistants -- Peter Horachek, Steve Spott, Chris Dennis, Rick St. Croix -- and no head coach listed on their gamenotes.

 

[SprDaVE]

Chris Johnston @reporterchris
The #leafs have four assistants -- Peter Horachek, Steve Spott, Chris Dennis, Rick St. Croix -- and no head coach listed on their gamenotes.

I thought Steve Staois was going to be on the bench? Someone reported that yesterday... I can't remember who though.

For the record, Chris Dennis is the videographer and statistical analyst of the Leafs.

 

[Budsfan]

Paul Hendrick @HennyTweets
Holtby and Bernier your projected starters tonight . #TMLtalk

Chris Johnston @reporterchris
Carter Ashton is skating with the #leafs this morning. He's on waivers until noon ET.

 

[SprDaVE]

Chris Johnston @reporterchris
The #leafs have four assistants -- Peter Horachek, Steve Spott, Chris Dennis, Rick St. Croix -- and no head coach listed on their gamenotes.

I thought Steve Staois was going to be on the bench? Someone reported that yesterday... I can't remember who though.

For the record, Chris Dennis is the videographer and statistical analyst of the Leafs.

Looks like I wasn't imagining it.

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris
Steve Staios is on the ice at the #leafs morning skate. He'll be behind the bench tonight.

 

[Budsfan]

Leafs morning skate now on Live.

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/v2/ext/live/

 

[SprDaVE]

WE DID IT! WE DID IT! WE DID IT! IT'S HAPPENING!

Jonas Siegel ‏@jonasTSN1050

New Leaf lines this morning: Winnik-Kadri-Kessel. van Riemsdyk-Bozak-Santorelli. Komarov-Smith-Clarkson. Panik-Carrick-McKegg/Ashton.

I thought I'd never see the day. Let's hope it lasts more then a shift.

 

[Budsfan]

WE DID IT! WE DID IT! WE DID IT! IT'S HAPPENING!

Jonas Siegel ‏@jonasTSN1050


I thought I'd never see the day. Let's hope it lasts more then a shift.

Lets hope Kessel agrees with the change...LOL

 

[SprDaVE]

Toronto Maple Leafs ‏@MapleLeafs 1m1 minute ago
The #Leafs have named Peter Horachek as interim head coach. #TMLtalk

 

[SprDaVE]

Lets hope Kessel agrees with the change...LOL

I just hope Kadri is ACTUALLY on the first PP, not just 5 on 5.

It's his turn to rack up easy points.

 

[Budsfan]

I just hope Kadri is ACTUALLY on the first PP, not just 5 on 5.

It's his turn to rack up easy points.

There are going to be some subtle changes and possibly this is one that they may try and it won't hurt to try.

 

[Paradoc]

WE DID IT! WE DID IT! WE DID IT! IT'S HAPPENING!

Jonas Siegel ‏@jonasTSN1050


I thought I'd never see the day. Let's hope it lasts more then a shift.

Leafs defensive lines:

#Leafs D: Phaneuf-Franson, Gardiner-Holzer, Rielly-Polak. #TMLtalk

 

[SprDaVE]

Leafs defensive lines:

#Leafs D: Phaneuf-Franson, Gardiner-Holzer, Rielly-Polak. #TMLtalk

Robidas sitting again?

 

[Guy Boucher]

I just hope Kadri is ACTUALLY on the first PP, not just 5 on 5.

It's his turn to rack up easy points.

I don't mind Kadri being on PP2...as long as they take Clarkson off it.