Is Ron Wilson right about Sundin? Thu, September 4, 2008
On one hand, Ron Wilson said he respects Sundin for not rushing back if he is unsure whether or not he wants to play -- adding that he would welcome back the longtime Leafs captain with open arms.
On the other hand, Wilson suggested that one of the problems with the sad-sack Leafs last year was a distinct lack of leadership.
And you don't have to be Howie Meeker to connect the dots there, that leadership is supposed to be one of the major responsibilities of the team captain.
Ron Wilson already has shown his weakness. Not respecting Sundin is low. Players with the "A" last year... Kaberle,Tucker are the embarassing leaderless leaders, not Sundin.
JEFF GILMOUR, 2008-09-05 19:37:41
What do you expect Wilson to say? He's got a team full of nobodys and he's going to have to endure 80 games of battling to stay out of the league basement.
He's got to hope that a nobody or a committee of nobodys steps up and give the team the leadership it needs to make it through a
season of crap.
Until the Leafs are drafting and developing good young talent - and setting-up the team rather than trading them away for more nobodys or has-beens or over-hyped wanna bees who are disguised as over paid nobodys, they are not going anywhere. This has been the same story almost year in and year out for the last 40 years.
Toronto, if your dreaming about a Stanley Cup parade anytime soon - 2 words -
draft and develop. It's painful - but done right,
you can build a team that will win for a long time.
One more thing - Don't DISS Saku Koivu. Koivu played through many seasons with mediocre teams, missing another center who could help him,
a power forward or a real enforcer to protect him.
As the team captain, he's put up and shone through both personal and team issues.
He's respected by his teammates, and adored by Montreal fans, even though part of Montreal's media is on a constant crusade to discredit him because he doesn't speak french.
He's finally surrounded with great talent and role players - and he should enjoy it. GO HABS GO !!!
Andy V., 2008-09-05 19:37:36
get real mats leadership should not even be an issue....way to pass the buck Mr. wilson. After a comment like that , I would toss Ron out the door so quick , he ouldn't even see the blue. as for the board room they have banked on the loyalty of the fans for 30 yrs and have given nothing back, And leafs fans hold strong and proud...go figure
clayton hutchings, 2008-09-05 18:43:48
Is Wilson talking about Sundin or Paul Maurice?? It sounds like this is a case of the Toronto Media twisting someones words again.
Todd, 2008-09-05 17:08:34
I don't think it has nothing to do with Mats Sundin alone. The Leafs needs more dynamic players to help out Mats Sundin.
Tim, 2008-09-05 16:59:11
Ron is wrong about Mats. Great intro to TO buddy. If Mats stays, is Ron's rant supposed to motivate him? Maybe I guess, but keep it private. Generally Mats has had a sup par supporting cast for years. Look at any business. Bad management equals bad results and this is exactly what happened with the Leafs. Stevie Y in his prime could not have worked with what the past management group gave Mats. Cliff is on the right track. It'll take a few years, but as a life long Leaf fan I'm willing to take more pain.
Rugged, 2008-09-05 16:33:22
Mats was an exceptional player on a very weak team. I'm sure Wilson would like to divert the Leaf players' attentiopn away from Mats and onto the Leaf's upcoming season.
Doug, 2008-09-05 16:21:11
Wilson is right `on the money`.... start young ..... see who cares .... give them a chance ..... and lets go... then Toronto will have a TEAM. But as for now Sundin should play for a Canadian contender..if he really likes CANADA. He is still a good hockey player but a change of Canadian scenery would really help him and the Leafs.. (Wilson included) Gordie
Gordie, 2008-09-05 16:09:28
It's about time the leafs woke up. They should plan to start without Sundin and if they are playing well and he wants to return i would say bye bye we don't need you bud. He clearly does not want to play or he would already be in training. What good would he be anyway if joining halfway through and not even fit. What message would it send to the other players. Sorry Matts it's time to go.
John, 2008-09-05 16:08:02
Hmmm.... let's see.... Sundin is human, right? Year after year, he's surrounded by a brutal supporting cast with no hope of being a Cup contender, and some of you (and Wilson) expect him to keep being a motivated and happy leader? The guy has been the only good thing about the Leafs for the last decade. Except maybe for Jonas Hoglund, a fine, skilled 1st-line winger.
BigChowder, 2008-09-05 15:51:28
Is Ron Wilson right about Sundin?
JEFF GILMOUR, 2008-09-05 19:37:41
He's got to hope that a nobody or a committee of nobodys steps up and give the team the leadership it needs to make it through a
season of crap.
Until the Leafs are drafting and developing good young talent - and setting-up the team rather than trading them away for more nobodys or has-beens or over-hyped wanna bees who are disguised as over paid nobodys, they are not going anywhere. This has been the same story almost year in and year out for the last 40 years.
Toronto, if your dreaming about a Stanley Cup parade anytime soon - 2 words -
draft and develop. It's painful - but done right,
you can build a team that will win for a long time.
One more thing - Don't DISS Saku Koivu. Koivu played through many seasons with mediocre teams, missing another center who could help him,
a power forward or a real enforcer to protect him.
As the team captain, he's put up and shone through both personal and team issues.
He's respected by his teammates, and adored by Montreal fans, even though part of Montreal's media is on a constant crusade to discredit him because he doesn't speak french.
He's finally surrounded with great talent and role players - and he should enjoy it. GO HABS GO !!!
Andy V., 2008-09-05 19:37:36
clayton hutchings, 2008-09-05 18:43:48
Todd, 2008-09-05 17:08:34
Tim, 2008-09-05 16:59:11
Rugged, 2008-09-05 16:33:22
Doug, 2008-09-05 16:21:11
Gordie, 2008-09-05 16:09:28
John, 2008-09-05 16:08:02
BigChowder, 2008-09-05 15:51:28