'We're not going to win the Stanley Cup'

by James Mirtle on Sep 29, 2008 8:13 AM CDT Comment 13 comments

"It was an exhibition game – it didn't bother me at all. What bothers me is being asked asinine questions while you're trying to give young players a chance.

"We're not going to win the Stanley Cup this year. There's a news flash for you."
— Leafs coach Ron Wilson

Boy is it early for Wilson to be flipping out at the media. Given reports from his earlier NHL stops, however, this seems about par for the course.

I've lived in this city for more than five years now, but I think this season offers the most interesting version of the Maple Leafs over that time frame (for an unbiased observer, anyway). They've stripped away so much of the old core that it's difficult to know what exactly this team will look like on the ice, and just how far it may sink in the standings.

I'm of the belief that, no matter how bad you get, there's still a lot of parity in this league — and especially in the Eastern Conference. Toronto will definitely struggle to score goals this season, but they're not alone in that, and I don't think it's ludicrous to think they could steal some games and hang around longer in the race for eighth than many believe.

That said, Wilson and GM Cliff Fletcher are setting the bar pretty low here. I wonder if, at some point, that has an effect on the interest level in a seemingly bulletproof hockey market.

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Or maybe it's something that team ownership needs to hear...

by Anonymous on Sep 29, 2008 8:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We're not going to win the Stanley Cup this year.

Dammit, James, how about a spoiler alert?

by Down Goes Brown on Sep 29, 2008 9:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Down Goes Brown wins for comment of the new season

by John on Sep 29, 2008 9:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

(LMAO @ dgb's spolier alert request!)

I think they are coming out and saying all of this so that anything they do, including finishing just as poorly as last season, will be considered them being "on the right track" or even "exceeding expectations". They want everyone to expect NOTHING so that any scrap they get tastes like ice cream.

And since Ive been an Islanders fan all these years I know about that tactic all too well.

by TheMetalChick on Sep 29, 2008 10:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hellloooo TO!

This is your new coach, Mr. Wilson.

If ANYONE is surprised at his comments regarding the quality of questions from reporters, he/she should check the facial reactions of Mr. Marleau, Mr. Thornton, Mr. Cheechoo, and Mr. Carle (to name but a few) who have had the pleasure of being coached by Mr. Wilson when they are asked how in the world Mr. Wilson can be so positive and upbeat day after day. Might also do the same with various media staff in the San Jose area.

The surprise is that the real Mr. Wilson took so long to surface.

(Did get a tremendous laugh a while back when Mr. Wilson was asked about media scrutiny of all things Leaf in TO and replied something to the effect that he couldn't see any problems with them...)

by Bob Roberts on Sep 29, 2008 11:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well played DGB.

It's not exactly breaking news that the media in TO is absolute crap for the most part. They refuse to cover the team from any other angle than from the one that features the strawmen/fans that expect the team to win the Cup every year.

If his freak outs would just include a couple of assaults on reporters then I'll be happy.

by PPP on Sep 29, 2008 11:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Remember last year when Paul Maurice stood up before the season and said "We will make the play-off's and compete for the Cup"? Wilson isn't Maurice. He knows he doesn't have the team for the playoffs, even if there is some ludicrous divine intervention happenings along the way.

My goal for the Leafs this year? 30 wins. Bar set low enough now?

by Ryan on Sep 29, 2008 11:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It should make for a great tandem next season when Burke arrives as well.
Total war on the sports media in Toronto.
Didn't Wilson say he was one of the best coaches in the NHL last spring shortly before Doug Wilson tied the can to him?
Oh and his anti-Canada rants too.

by Anonymous on Sep 29, 2008 11:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We're not going to win the Stanley Cup this year.

2009: Rinse, repeat.

by Bill Needle on Sep 29, 2008 12:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

well that's one way to be optimistic! But that's true, it's something they need to hear.

by Motorokr on Sep 29, 2008 1:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Did anybody actually see that scrum?

Dumbass hockey reporter: "Mumble mumble mumble."

Wilson: "We're not going to win the Stanley Cup this year. There's a news flash for you."

He said it as calmly and matter-of-factly as a guy picking out paint at Home Depot.

If this is a freakout, the Toronto media better grow thicker skin.

by Anonymous on Sep 29, 2008 2:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Two people I'd hate to be:
1) A Leafs coach in a media scrum, and
2) The teacher of a grade 10 marketing class

Both have the privilege of overseeing the development of some great minds & talent*, but both have to deal with a percentage of dumbasses** who ask questions that were already answered while they were babbling BS amongst themselves.

Can't wait to see how Wilson handles these scrums come February, I have a vision of a vein in his forehead exploding in the middle of a "sky is falling" question.

*Guys like you, Mirtle, obviously
**Guys like Cox and Simmons, obviously

by Jon on Sep 29, 2008 3:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good grief people, what's the big deal... I'm a fervent member of Leaf Nation and he didn't say anything that those of us who don't walk around with blinders on already know... Only someone constantly living in some fantasy-land would even think for one minute that the Leafs are going to be serious contenders for the 'Cup, let alone post-season... So he talks the truth and people (or just the Toronto media?) get their panties in a knot? Jeezus, get over yourselves you self-deluded bunch of whiners...

Look, for those of us who ARE reasonably sane, you just need to look at the roster moves made over the summer and hopefully, you'll come to the same conclusion that Ron and Fletch did Yes, it's going to be painful for quite a while yet, yes there will be some more blown 3rd period leads, yes there will be some games where the scorers don't score and the defenders don't defend so for those of you out there who are so taken aback that Wilson had the temerity to basically tell it like it is, here's a newsflash for you folks - IT WILL BE A SUCK ARSE YEAR IN LEAFLAND THIS SEASON! You can now slump back in your chair and have a good cry...

And for what it's worth, I saw Wilson in that scrum and when the comments came out, I laughed so hard I almost spit out my breakfast... Good for you Wilson, pull these people back down to earth, they could use some straight talk for once instead of the usual spoon-fed sugar coated crap of yore... We've waited 40+ years, what's another 3-5???

by Anonymous on Sep 29, 2008 6:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs