Keith Aulie just pretty much summed it all up on Fan 590. The biggest challenge in playing for Toronto is all the off ice stuff with the media, the fan pressure etc. He cites these external pressures as the major obstacle, and a big part of the reason the Leafs are playing without any confidence. He also notes the major difference in Tampa being the amount of veteran leadership in the room, and what an impact an established core group of seasoned players has on the room.
For everyone who wants to gut the team of any veteran influence to give the kids opportunity to play, take note. For everyone who thinks the Toronto factor has no effect on prospects, same message. This is exactly why you don't bottom out in Toronto and hope to hell a bunch of kids can redeem your franchise.
He did not say the "biggest challenge" in Toronto was the media.
He was asked about the difference between Toronto and Tampa and he mentioned off ice things in Toronto vs Tampa. He did not say it was a challenge just that there were more off ice commitments in Toronto. Not that he had any himself.
Keith Aulie just pretty much summed it all up on Fan 590. The biggest challenge in playing for Toronto is all the off ice stuff with the media, the fan pressure etc. He cites these external pressures as the major obstacle, and a big part of the reason the Leafs are playing without any confidence. He also notes the major difference in Tampa being the amount of veteran leadership in the room, and what an impact an established core group of seasoned players has on the room.
For everyone who wants to gut the team of any veteran influence to give the kids opportunity to play, take note. For everyone who thinks the Toronto factor has no effect on prospects, same message. This is exactly why you don't bottom out in Toronto and hope to hell a bunch of kids can redeem your franchise.
Pretty much knew this but it's good to hear it from someone on the inside.
He did not say the "biggest challenge" in Toronto was the media.
He was asked about the difference between Toronto and Tampa and he mentioned off ice things in Toronto vs Tampa. He did not say it was a challenge just that there were more off ice commitments in Toronto. Not that he had any himself.
He wasn't talking about off ice commitments. He was referring to off ice distractions and the negative effect it has on their confidence. He referenced it twice.
He wasn't talking about off ice commitments. He was referring to off ice distractions and the negative effect it has on their confidence. He referenced it twice.
I had Brady and Lang here on the tube and rewound the DVR after reading your post. You are misconstruing what he said. Feel free to quote him so it is clearer to everybody.
I had Brady and Lang here on the tube and rewound the DVR after reading your post. You are misconstruing what he said. Feel free to quote him so it is clearer to everybody.
Almost no point in trying to post something intelligent on this site. The first response you got says it all for me. Some of these "fans" here are ... well ... shoe size 12 hat size 3!
Almost no point in trying to post something intelligent on this site. The first response you got says it all for me. Some of these "fans" here are ... well ... shoe size 12 hat size 3!
exactly. This board is addicted to negativity. Absolutely addicted.
I have no pity for the athletes that can't handle the heat in Toronto.
Watch baseball, football, European football, you don't see Bryant, Brady, Rooney, or any other top players in their respective league playing under big ass microscopes complaining that it's a hard life outside of the sport, confidence is low, bla bla bla.
Shut up and play.
It pisses me off to no end when the excuse of Toronto being a hard city to play in is brought up. It's ****ing lame.
If it's too hard for their fragile little ego and mind, ask for a trade and save us the embarrassment every year.
I wonder if the Habs are using the media and fan pressure excuse as to why their season has gone so bad. Because there is just as much pressure there...if not more.
I was hoping that Burke would get some veteran help in the offseason and was rooting for a signing of Jason Arnott who was there for the taking, instead Leafs went out and signed Tim f***ing Connolly to bring in some 'experience'. F.M.Leafs.
In this case the player didn't use it as an excuse though. He just mentioned that in Toronto there are off ice commitments and in Tampa it is more relaxed.
How many games did Aulie play for the Leafs this season anyway? I am sure it was less than 20.
In this case the player didn't use it as an excuse though. He just mentioned that in Toronto there are off ice commitments and in Tampa it is more relaxed.
How many games did Aulie play for the Leafs this season anyway? I am sure it was less than 20.
You're misconstruing his statements...
(in Tampa), "youre not thinking about so much stuff away from the rink...
Toronto is a challenging place to play, theres a lot of different pressures . Its different down here where you are thinking about the job at hand. Theres a lot less of that other stuff that makes it challenging".
Off ice commitments, like what? visiting Sick Kids Hospital? signing an autograph? THAT is what caused the collapse of the teams' confidence?
He also mentions the effect of 'all these different voices creeping in' and how thats maybe what has happened to Toronto's confidence.
Pretty clear to me. External pressure. Not "off ice commitments".
Burke also cites the same as being a tough pill to swallow for a young team that is trying to focus on the job at hand. Wilson also said if he had his way, the media wouldn't be allowed in the room.
We can pretend all we want, but the reality is, Toronto presents a whole other list of unique challenges for the pro athlete that you don't find elsewhere. And it has an affect. Not a good one, either.
LOL. this guy hasn't got a quote right all year. you don't want to take anything he "quotes" as truth. he seems to make up his own meanings of anything anyone says
Almost no point in trying to post something intelligent on this site. The first response you got says it all for me. Some of these "fans" here are ... well ... shoe size 12 hat size 3!
LOL. this guy hasn't got a quote right all year. you don't want to take anything he "quotes" as truth. he seems to make up his own meanings of anything anyone says
YOu mean me? you're a funny guy. I haven't posted here all year. This last week is the first time Ive posted this season. And I don't recall quoting anyone. Little early in the day to start drinking, isn't it?
(in Tampa), "youre not thinking about so much stuff away from the rink...
Toronto is a challenging place to play, theres a lot of different pressures . Its different down here where you are thinking about the job at hand. Theres a lot less of that other stuff that makes it challenging".
Off ice commitments, like what? visiting Sick Kids Hospital? signing an autograph? THAT is what caused the collapse of the teams' confidence?
He also mentions the effect of 'all these different voices creeping in' and how thats maybe what has happened to Toronto's confidence.
Pretty clear to me. External pressure. Not "off ice commitments".
Burke also cites the same as being a tough pill to swallow for a young team that is trying to focus on the job at hand. Wilson also said if he had his way, the media wouldn't be allowed in the room.
We can pretend all we want, but the reality is, Toronto presents a whole other list of unique challenges for the pro athlete that you don't find elsewhere. And it has an affect. Not a good one, either.
(in Tampa), "youre not thinking about so much stuff away from the rink...
Toronto is a challenging place to play, theres a lot of different pressures . Its different down here where you are thinking about the job at hand. Theres a lot less of that other stuff that makes it challenging".
Off ice commitments, like what? visiting Sick Kids Hospital? signing an autograph? THAT is what caused the collapse of the teams' confidence?
He also mentions the effect of 'all these different voices creeping in' and how thats maybe what has happened to Toronto's confidence.
Pretty clear to me. External pressure. Not "off ice commitments".
Burke also cites the same as being a tough pill to swallow for a young team that is trying to focus on the job at hand. Wilson also said if he had his way, the media wouldn't be allowed in the room.
We can pretend all we want, but the reality is, Toronto presents a whole other list of unique challenges for the pro athlete that you don't find elsewhere. And it has an affect. Not a good one, either.
I always thought athletes were incourged to avoid tv, newsprint, any kind of social media and just focus on the job. The New York Yankees, Montreal Canadiens, Manchester United have never used the media as an excuse for anything.
YOu mean me? you're a funny guy. I haven't posted here all year. This last week is the first time Ive posted this season. And I don't recall quoting anyone. Little early in the day to start drinking, isn't it?
Relax. He is talking about me. He hates me and goes at me everyday. You are cool.
You claimed that he said the media was the issue in Toronto. Second sentence in your OP. External pressures could be many things.
At the end of the day it means the player lacks focus.
yeah, ok then...and by other voices...is he (are they) suffering from some kind of multiple personality disorder? demon possession perhaps?
Show us where he references "off ice commitments".
You seem surprised that he didn't complain to the MEDIA how the MEDIA effects a teams psyche. He was being diplomatic, but the message is clear.
Im not going to waste my morning arguing with someone who is pointing to a blue sky telling me its a cloudy day. My interpretation is that the player referenced the impact of external influences of playing in the toughest market in the game. If you want to pretend he meant something else, have at it.
yeah, ok then...and by other voices...is he (are they) suffering from some kind of multiple personality disorder? demon possession perhaps?
Show us where he references "off ice commitments".
You seem surprised that he didn't complain to the MEDIA how the MEDIA effects a teams psyche. He was being diplomatic, but the message is clear.
Im not going to waste my morning arguing with someone who is pointing to a blue sky telling me its a cloudy day. My interpretation is that the player referenced the impact of external influences of playing in the toughest market in the game. If you want to pretend he meant something else, have at it.
"you're not thinking about so much stuff away from the rink..."
I always thought athletes were incourged to avoid tv, newsprint, any kind of social media and just focus on the job. The New York Yankees, Montreal Canadiens, Manchester United have never used the media as an excuse for anything.
I agree that there is definitely evidence of teams that deal with the pressure of the city and the media and the fans on par with Toronto, or even worse, maybe, in the case of Montreal.
It'd be interesting to read an objective analysis of what each city puts on it's teams in terms of pressure from the media, fans and other outside sources.
did I need to put that, for you to understand what I meant?
