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   Tue, February 3, 2009


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Wilson feels for Hartsburg
By ROB LONGLEY, SUN MEDIA
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With the team in the early stages of a major rebuilding project, job security isn't an immediate issue for coach Ron Wilson.

But the Maple Leafs coach had trouble understanding the Ottawa Senators move to fire coach Craig Hartsburg.

"Personally I don't understand that," Wilson said yesterday following the team's practice at the Air Canada Centre. "That's two coaches (including Tampa's Barry Melrose) this year that are new to their team and didn't even get out of the season.

"I don't understand the reasoning to that. Obviously in both cases (it's) the old cliche. It's easier to change one guy than trade 20.

"In the NHL today, it's easier to fire the coach than trade even one guy. Because of the salary cap, you've hardly seen any movement this year."

Wilson, who played with Hartsburg when both were members of the Minnesota North Stars some 20 years ago, felt for his peer.

"It's unfortunate," Wilson said. "He's a good coach and a great guy."










Would Patrick Roy make a good coach for the Colorado Avalanche?
  Yes, he's perfect
  No, he's not ready
  Bring him to Montreal!


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