Lupul is also playing left wing for the first time in his career. After the winger returned to health last December, Ducks coach Randy Carlyle would not play him on the left side and put him in a lesser third-line role on the right.
Carlyle said he already had Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne in the top two right wing slots but acknowledged with Lupul that "if we probably erred, we probably erred in that we didn't play him consistently enough at left wing."
"In my conversation with Randy, he said he didn't think I had the skill to play left in wing in this league being on my off side," Lupul said. "So he wasn't going to give me that opportunity here. And I'm not going to knock Corey Perry or Teemu Selanne off their right wing spot.
"So pretty much after that conversation, I realized that I probably wasn't in their plans here."
I see the leafs responding well to Carlyle, but I see it flairing out much quicker then it did here. I could see he and Kessel clashing, or with Lupul obviously. I think Schenn will thrive, but for some reason I think DP will struggle. Kulemin will improve, but I think the wildcard is Grabo. RC strikes me as the type that would struggle with Russians because I could see his in your face style not doing well with Russians. Thats obviously pure speculation on my part though.
Did he actually ask for one, or was he just unhappy? I kinda forgot.
I think when Murray took him off the block, he phrased it as 'he doesn't want to leave any more.' I don't remember the exact words, but that was the gist.
He had a fast team in 05-07, and they used their speed pretty well.
I agree he did have quick teams but those teams are much, much different then the way the current Leafs are built. Lupul and Kulemin are solid dump and chase players and the Mac-Grabovski-Kulemin line has shown the ability to cycle very well last season but hasn't worked this year at all. Overall, I'm not sold our team can do it. Usually our team only cycled when forced to. Offensively the Leafs are actually pretty decent, around sixth in goals for prior to this awful streak they've been on. It was the constant pinching of defense that absolutely killed this team, giving up odd-man rushes, poor defensive play around the net. Simple hockey was not in Wilsons vocabulary. There's absolutely no way I'd allow my dmen to have complete freedom when leading by a few goals.
I see the leafs responding well to Carlyle, but I see it flairing out much quicker then it did here. I could see he and Kessel clashing, or with Lupul obviously. I think Schenn will thrive, but for some reason I think DP will struggle. Kulemin will improve, but I think the wildcard is Grabo. RC strikes me as the type that would struggle with Russians because I could see his in your face style not doing well with Russians. Thats obviously pure speculation on my part though.
DP will definitely struggle, he has no concept of playing under any system. I've seen him follow the same guy around his own zone many times, while the guy he should be changing up to cover breaks out into the complete clear.
Grabo will probably be the most successful under Carlyle. The guy has no fear. Although, there are a few nights Grabo can get frustrating, when he pulls his disappearing act.
Kulemin will succeed, I think.
Kessel will not play the boards, or check. That could be a problem, but it's hard to get mad at the guy scoring all the goals for you, I would think. Lupul has been pretty inconsistent, if not for Kessel, he would have been on the 2nd or 3rd line by now.
To be honest, I would just be glad if RC stops playing the 4th line as often as Wilson. The line could give up 3 goals, multiple scoring chances, and be put out the very next shift. Any semblance of a defence system will be another upgrade. The PK needs to improve, and it can't get any worse.
It's just strange to think about what this might mean for the rest of the year. This team is too far out to make the playoffs. I've legitimately given up on the thought. I'm not one of those hoping this team will tank, and all the crappiest teams in the East behind them will magically start winning games... I'm just curious to see if a coaching change (even if it wasn't RC), has a positive or negative impact on this team.
I'm also glad our AHL coach didn't get the spot, like a lot of the less knowledgeable Leafs fans were hoping for (ironically, the same individuals who do not watch the Marlies at all). Eakens can't coach this team and is a mediocre coach to begin with. The guy will likely never get NHL duties in the future. He is artificially heightened because the Marlies have a solid group.
I agree he did have quick teams but those teams are much, much different then the way the current Leafs are built. Lupul and Kulemin are solid dump and chase players and the Mac-Grabovski-Kulemin line has shown the ability to cycle very well last season but hasn't worked this year at all. Overall, I'm not sold our team can do it. Usually our team only cycled when forced to. Offensively the Leafs are actually pretty decent, around sixth in goals for prior to this awful streak they've been on. It was the constant pinching of defense that absolutely killed this team, giving up odd-man rushes, poor defensive play around the net. Simple hockey was not in Wilsons vocabulary. There's absolutely no way I'd allow my dmen to have complete freedom when leading by a few goals.
RC will definitely be able to help the Leafs in this regard. I also think RC has a good offensive system too, but it tends to require certain types of players. I think the structure that he'll bring is the area in which you'll see a huge upgrade over Wilson.
Some of the more 'interesting' Toronto fans will think they are locks for the cup now
With the Leafs lineup how it is I think RC will struggle. Long term I think it will be a good move....but will the Leafs media be able to wait more then a season
Some of the more 'interesting' Toronto fans will think they are locks for the cup now
With the Leafs lineup how it is I think RC will struggle. Long term I think it will be a good move....but will the Leafs media be able to wait more then a season
ughh the Leafs media. Cox,Berger,Watters,Simmons...yuck. Some teams fans should be happy they don't get so much exposure
ughh the Leafs media. Cox,Berger,Watters,Simmons...yuck. Some teams fans should be happy they don't get so much exposure
That's something I appreciate about Anaheim really
But of course the bigger fanbases are going to have a bigger percentage of idiots, and the idiots always seem to be the more vocal ones.
I see RC doing good for you, but he'll need a few different players to better suit his style, as it seemed in Anaheim when the team got smaller and not as physical he struggled and then overused the top line as a scoring line and then a checking line as they were the only true big, physical players Anaheim had.
People keep saying they think Kessel will struggle because he's a one dimensional sniper who won't fore-check. As much as I'm going to get crap for saying it, that's a pretty good description of Selanne and he did just fine under Carlyle. So long as Kessel produces, he will get a free pass. Just like Teemu did.
People keep saying they think Kessel will struggle because he's a one dimensional sniper who won't fore-check. In reality that's a pretty good description of Selanne and he did just fine under Carlyle.
Could even bring people who can actually help their special teams. This year their PP has been a little better but was brutal to watch the past couple years I believe. Their PK is bad too.
That's something I appreciate about Anaheim really
But of course the bigger fanbases are going to have a bigger percentage of idiots, and the idiots always seem to be the more vocal ones.
I see RC doing good for you, but he'll need a few different players to better suit his style, as it seemed in Anaheim when the team got smaller and not as physical he struggled and then overused the top line as a scoring line and then a checking line as they were the only true big, physical players Anaheim had.
There are only a few logical writers/personalities in this town that are actually respectable. Our newspapers are toilet paper for the most part. If there's one thing the Leafs lack it's size in the top 6 so I'm not sure how Carlyle is going to implement his style. Kulemin is really the only scary top 6 forward we have. Lupul is a solid forechecker but not amazing and Grabovski has the heart of a warrior but he's like Darcy Tucker, he bites off more than he can chew when he's throwing his weight around, which isn't much by the way lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul4587
People keep saying they think Kessel will struggle because he's a one dimensional sniper who won't fore-check. As much as I'm going to get crap for saying it, that's a pretty good description of Selanne and he did just fine under Carlyle. So long as Kessel produces, he will get a free pass. Just like Teemu did.
I think you can say this about any scorer/coach really. If a guys putting up 35+ goals a year the coach will look the other way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unholy
Could even bring people who can actually help their special teams. This year their PP has been a little better but was brutal to watch the past couple years I believe. Their PK is bad too.
The PP and scoring in general hasn't been a concern. We were sixth in goals for prior to this slump and currently sit eighth. Not bad. The issue is defense/goaltending because it's been god awful. Too many odd-man rushes, allowing way,way too many easy chances in high percentage areas etc. You'd think a team with Schenn,Komisarek(I know I know),Phaneuf etc wouldn't be soft on D but they have been. There's so much focus on offense with Wilson. Actually, it always seemed to be on offense. He wanted to produce "an exciting style of hockey". For who exactly? the fans apparently. We don't give a **** about how many goals our team scores if we can't win. I know quite a few people who will argue to death with you that we need a Nash or someone similar. We don't need a 30 goal scorer, we need to stop the damn puck from going in our net. Defense is so under-rated it's ridiculous. Screw the worst PK and goals against in the league, lets continue this ignorant pipe-dream of trading everyone for Rick Nash! the grass is always greener!
He's s good coach but you guys better be ready for a lot of dump and chase/cycle type of hockey.
YES!! As a Leaf fan this is music to my ears. I was really sick and tired of the forced passes which led to numerous turnovers in the neutral zone or at the blue line. We were almost allergic to dumping the puck in. Carlyle will improve our system no doubt.
What are Ducks fans insights on Dave Farrish? I've always liked his work with young D, I recall when Beauchemen was traded to Anaheim from Columbus how well he played when he came to Anaheim. A totally different player under Carlyle and Farrish.
It's both. You're just refusing to admit that Carlyle is a good coach.
He's not anymore. Far too old school, which Leafs fans will see after training camp when their players have been skated to death and their team is at the bottom of the standings after 10-15 games.
People keep saying they think Kessel will struggle because he's a one dimensional sniper who won't fore-check. As much as I'm going to get crap for saying it, that's a pretty good description of Selanne and he did just fine under Carlyle. So long as Kessel produces, he will get a free pass. Just like Teemu did.
Was thinking the exact same thing. Kessel is Selanne lite, so I don't see why he'll have such a terrible time. Though Selanne is far more willing to engage in the physical side of the game. Overall, I don't think it's the best move or a bad one, I think Carlyle will bring some stability to their D-zone coverage, but he's going to need a few more big bodies with talent to really exploit his offensive tactics.
Also, can you imagine if we had traded Bobby to TO .
What are Ducks fans insights on Dave Farrish? I've always liked his work with young D, I recall when Beauchemen was traded to Anaheim from Columbus how well he played when he came to Anaheim. A totally different player under Carlyle and Farrish.
Honestly we dont know how much was actually him or if he was just a figurehead and the Norris trophy winner was doing most of the work.
I think alot of players will benefit but I see some serious clashing between some guys and him. Amplified with the media.
