Randy Carlyle/Leaf Coach thread

[Kin]

Going from 9 points up on teams chasing you to out of the playoffs in 3 weeks or whatever it was was hugely huge.  Maybe even HIGHLY HUGELY HUGE, as in straight from All-Capistan Huge.

The way it happened might have been disappointing but the result as a whole can't really be compared to the Knicks' season.

 

[Tigger]

I can't accept any justification for keeping him.  The Knicks just fired their coach after "a hugely disappointing season where they missed the playoffs."  It would be one thing if RC were a legend that had steered the Leafs to multiple Cups; then you forgive a season like this last one.  But this is run-of-the-mill failure and in today's sports almost always costs the coach his job.  I realize Shanahan needs to look like he's evaluating the whole program (and maybe he's also contemplating axing Nonis), but with respect to Carlyle this is a no-brainer.

I suppose it depends on how you define 'hugely'. Putting any weight into 'forgiving' a season like the last one seems really off to me. The Leafs finished a little under expectation, nothing Earth shattering.

Going from 9 points up on teams chasing you to out of the playoffs in 3 weeks or whatever it was was hugely huge.  Maybe even HIGHLY HUGELY HUGE, as in straight from All-Capistan Huge.

The manner in which they failed didn't really change the fact that they were always going to be in tough to make the playoffs this year. If you or anyone else thought otherwise then I'd suggest it's a matter of perspective.

 

[ZBBM]

I can't accept any justification for keeping him.  The Knicks just fired their coach after "a hugely disappointing season where they missed the playoffs."  It would be one thing if RC were a legend that had steered the Leafs to multiple Cups; then you forgive a season like this last one.  But this is run-of-the-mill failure and in today's sports almost always costs the coach his job.  I realize Shanahan needs to look like he's evaluating the whole program (and maybe he's also contemplating axing Nonis), but with respect to Carlyle this is a no-brainer.

I suppose it depends on how you define 'hugely'. Putting any weight into 'forgiving' a season like the last one seems really off to me. The Leafs finished a little under expectation, nothing Earth shattering.

Going from 9 points up on teams chasing you to out of the playoffs in 3 weeks or whatever it was was hugely huge.  Maybe even HIGHLY HUGELY HUGE, as in straight from All-Capistan Huge.

The manner in which they failed didn't really change the fact that they were always going to be in tough to make the playoffs this year. If you or anyone else thought otherwise then I'd suggest it's a matter of perspective.

I stand by my verdict of hugeosity.

 

[Tigger]

I can't accept any justification for keeping him.  The Knicks just fired their coach after "a hugely disappointing season where they missed the playoffs."  It would be one thing if RC were a legend that had steered the Leafs to multiple Cups; then you forgive a season like this last one.  But this is run-of-the-mill failure and in today's sports almost always costs the coach his job.  I realize Shanahan needs to look like he's evaluating the whole program (and maybe he's also contemplating axing Nonis), but with respect to Carlyle this is a no-brainer.

I suppose it depends on how you define 'hugely'. Putting any weight into 'forgiving' a season like the last one seems really off to me. The Leafs finished a little under expectation, nothing Earth shattering.

Going from 9 points up on teams chasing you to out of the playoffs in 3 weeks or whatever it was was hugely huge.  Maybe even HIGHLY HUGELY HUGE, as in straight from All-Capistan Huge.

The manner in which they failed didn't really change the fact that they were always going to be in tough to make the playoffs this year. If you or anyone else thought otherwise then I'd suggest it's a matter of perspective.

I stand by my verdict of hugeosity.

That's easily balanced by the run they had before the Olympics, if you're stuck on huge.

Hugetual?

 

[ZBBM]

I can't accept any justification for keeping him.  The Knicks just fired their coach after "a hugely disappointing season where they missed the playoffs."  It would be one thing if RC were a legend that had steered the Leafs to multiple Cups; then you forgive a season like this last one.  But this is run-of-the-mill failure and in today's sports almost always costs the coach his job.  I realize Shanahan needs to look like he's evaluating the whole program (and maybe he's also contemplating axing Nonis), but with respect to Carlyle this is a no-brainer.

I suppose it depends on how you define 'hugely'. Putting any weight into 'forgiving' a season like the last one seems really off to me. The Leafs finished a little under expectation, nothing Earth shattering.

Going from 9 points up on teams chasing you to out of the playoffs in 3 weeks or whatever it was was hugely huge.  Maybe even HIGHLY HUGELY HUGE, as in straight from All-Capistan Huge.

The manner in which they failed didn't really change the fact that they were always going to be in tough to make the playoffs this year. If you or anyone else thought otherwise then I'd suggest it's a matter of perspective.

I stand by my verdict of hugeosity.

That's easily balanced by the run they had before the Olympics, if you're stuck on huge.

Hugetual?

McFate's Law: Huge failures are huger than huge successes.

We see this in clinical settings.  The depths of anger and despair you feel after a disappointing loss are more intense than the heights of ecstasy you reach after an unexpected win.

 

[Tigger]

Blue and White Petard-o-matic decrees, 'should a eucatastrophic win occur during the playoffs, allow the ripples to be fully felt'... I'm still chuffed they made it a series against Boston last year.

Let the 'kids' play, if you need a real goat.

 

[Leaflifer]

I can't accept any justification for keeping him.  The Knicks just fired their coach after "a hugely disappointing season where they missed the playoffs."  It would be one thing if RC were a legend that had steered the Leafs to multiple Cups; then you forgive a season like this last one.  But this is run-of-the-mill failure and in today's sports almost always costs the coach his job.  I realize Shanahan needs to look like he's evaluating the whole program (and maybe he's also contemplating axing Nonis), but with respect to Carlyle this is a no-brainer.

I suppose it depends on how you define 'hugely'. Putting any weight into 'forgiving' a season like the last one seems really off to me. The Leafs finished a little under expectation, nothing Earth shattering.

Going from 9 points up on teams chasing you to out of the playoffs in 3 weeks or whatever it was was hugely huge.  Maybe even HIGHLY HUGELY HUGE, as in straight from All-Capistan Huge.

The manner in which they failed didn't really change the fact that they were always going to be in tough to make the playoffs this year. If you or anyone else thought otherwise then I'd suggest it's a matter of perspective.

I'd stay away from critic's predictions before the season starts.  I think it's a better idea to start to build expectations (good or bad) 20 games in.

 

[Tigger]

I can't accept any justification for keeping him.  The Knicks just fired their coach after "a hugely disappointing season where they missed the playoffs."  It would be one thing if RC were a legend that had steered the Leafs to multiple Cups; then you forgive a season like this last one.  But this is run-of-the-mill failure and in today's sports almost always costs the coach his job.  I realize Shanahan needs to look like he's evaluating the whole program (and maybe he's also contemplating axing Nonis), but with respect to Carlyle this is a no-brainer.

I suppose it depends on how you define 'hugely'. Putting any weight into 'forgiving' a season like the last one seems really off to me. The Leafs finished a little under expectation, nothing Earth shattering.

Going from 9 points up on teams chasing you to out of the playoffs in 3 weeks or whatever it was was hugely huge.  Maybe even HIGHLY HUGELY HUGE, as in straight from All-Capistan Huge.

The manner in which they failed didn't really change the fact that they were always going to be in tough to make the playoffs this year. If you or anyone else thought otherwise then I'd suggest it's a matter of perspective.

I'd stay away from critic's predictions before the season starts.  I think it's a better idea to start to build expectations (good or bad) 20 games in.

Ha, ok, I'll attempt to temper my enthusiasm for a meaningless cycle. Did you really think the Leafs were going to be contenders this year? I sure didn't.

 

[Leaflifer]

I can't accept any justification for keeping him.  The Knicks just fired their coach after "a hugely disappointing season where they missed the playoffs."  It would be one thing if RC were a legend that had steered the Leafs to multiple Cups; then you forgive a season like this last one.  But this is run-of-the-mill failure and in today's sports almost always costs the coach his job.  I realize Shanahan needs to look like he's evaluating the whole program (and maybe he's also contemplating axing Nonis), but with respect to Carlyle this is a no-brainer.

I suppose it depends on how you define 'hugely'. Putting any weight into 'forgiving' a season like the last one seems really off to me. The Leafs finished a little under expectation, nothing Earth shattering.

Going from 9 points up on teams chasing you to out of the playoffs in 3 weeks or whatever it was was hugely huge.  Maybe even HIGHLY HUGELY HUGE, as in straight from All-Capistan Huge.

The manner in which they failed didn't really change the fact that they were always going to be in tough to make the playoffs this year. If you or anyone else thought otherwise then I'd suggest it's a matter of perspective.

I'd stay away from critic's predictions before the season starts.  I think it's a better idea to start to build expectations (good or bad) 20 games in.

Ha, ok, I'll attempt to temper my enthusiasm for a meaningless cycle. Did you really think the Leafs were going to be contenders this year? I sure didn't.

That's not what I'm saying.  I think it's a lot easier to predict a team that has missed the playoff for a few years in a row to continue to fail, than it is a team that is going to break that cycle, and just be decent.

 

[bakeapples]

Anyone want to organize a pool for Carlyle's departure date?

 

[Kessel Run]

Anyone want to organize a pool for Carlyle's departure date?

A carpool?  ;D

 

[Highlander]

At least for the coaching staff. Actually I am more optimistic now than I have been in a long time. I think the baby buds are going to bear a lot of good fruit and a new coach, we havent had so many good prospects in our system in forever and with the good base of signed players we can build something here finally.

 

[Tigger]

That's not what I'm saying.  I think it's a lot easier to predict a team that has missed the playoff for a few years in a row to continue to fail, than it is a team that is going to break that cycle, and just be decent.

Sure, that doesn't really change anything for me, the Leafs came up just a little short of what I thought they might be capable of, critics or no, coaching change or no.

 

[Leaflifer]

That's not what I'm saying.  I think it's a lot easier to predict a team that has missed the playoff for a few years in a row to continue to fail, than it is a team that is going to break that cycle, and just be decent.

Sure, that doesn't really change anything for me, the Leafs came up just a little short of what I thought they might be capable of, critics or no, coaching change or no.

Fair enough. I guess I just get tired of the Leafs being labelled losers before every training camp, and then having it as our consolation when the wheels fall off.

I hope it's not becoming a self- fulfilling prophecy for this team

 

[Kin]

Fair enough. I guess I just get tired of the Leafs being labelled losers before every training camp, and then having it as our consolation when the wheels fall off.

The way to fix that is to accumulate the sort of roster that demands big expectations. No matter who the coach is next year people will be saying largely the same thing about their chances in the coming season.

 

[TML fan]

Fair enough. I guess I just get tired of the Leafs being labelled losers before every training camp, and then having it as our consolation when the wheels fall off.

The way to fix that is to accumulate the sort of roster that demands big expectations. No matter who the coach is next year people will be saying largely the same thing about their chances in the coming season.

Chances of what? Winning the Cup or making the playoffs? The former is unlikely but they are certainly good enough to make the playoffs.

 

[Kin]

Chances of what? Winning the Cup or making the playoffs? The former is unlikely but they are certainly good enough to make the playoffs.

I think that unless significant, and singularly one-sided, personnel changes are made then regardless of who the coach is the Leafs will be seen as one of the 6 or 7 teams who could finish anywhere from 4th or 5th to 11th or 12th. I agree that the Leafs are talented enough to make the playoffs but I think that's true of quite a few teams that didn't make the playoffs, Washington and Ottawa specifically.

Honestly, in today's NHL there's so much parity that I think there's virtually no middle ground between being a serious cup contender and being a bubble team.

 

[Leaflifer]

Honestly, in today's NHL there's so much parity that I think there's virtually no middle ground between being a serious cup contender and being a bubble team.

Yes, that's a big part of my point. There's no reason to expect to be a perennial have-not. I don't put on my parade shoes before the season starts, but I don't come in thinking they can't improve either.

 

[Kin]

Yes, that's a big part of my point. There's no reason to expect to be a perennial have-not. I don't put on my parade shoes before the season starts, but I don't come in thinking they can't improve either.

And now that they've got their goaltending reasonably well worked out and are being run by someone with a sort of rudimentary competence I don't expect them to be either. But until they build themselves into something real then there will be years they make it and years they don't and this was just a year where they didn't. They got some bad breaks. They went into the season weakest down the middle and then saw both their #1 and #3 center get hurt for 85 or so games between them. Their goaltender got hurt down the stretch. Their big free agent signing was a bomb of epic proportions.

Those things, one assumes, aren't going to happen every year. This year they did and the Leafs missed the playoffs. So long as they continue to have a mediocre roster they're not insulated from that sort of thing.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Yes, that's a big part of my point. There's no reason to expect to be a perennial have-not. I don't put on my parade shoes before the season starts, but I don't come in thinking they can't improve either.

And now that they've got their goaltending reasonably well worked out and are being run by someone with a sort of rudimentary competence I don't expect them to be either. But until they build themselves into something real then there will be years they make it and years they don't and this was just a year where they didn't. They got some bad breaks. They went into the season weakest down the middle and then saw both their #1 and #3 center get hurt for 85 or so games between them. Their goaltender got hurt down the stretch. Their big free agent signing was a bomb of epic proportions.

Those things, one assumes, aren't going to happen every year. This year they did and the Leafs missed the playoffs. So long as they continue to have a mediocre roster they're not insulated from that sort of thing.

Do you think perhaps the players misunderstood what Carlyle meant by 'collapsing' in front of the goalie?  That would explain a lot.