Paul Maurice is the greatest coach ever.
Who the fuck knew? Did you see that timeout he called last night in overtime, after an icing? (OMG!) The man clearly learned some valuable lessons from his time in Toronto.
I didn't think the Carolina Hurricanes had a chance against New Jersey. And not a prayer against Boston. Yet they've won two game sevens in dramatic fashion. On the road, no less.
Eric Staal? He's pretty damn good. A top-six Canadian Olympic forward, in my books.
Cam Ward? He's a career 4-0 in game 7s. Tell me how you keep that record off Team Canada.
Scott Walker? He scores big goals throws a mean right.
Perhaps it's time I start showing Maurice and co. some respect.
10 comments:
He definitely knows what he's doing. His time in Toronto was like that scene in the first Michael Keaton Batman when the plastic surgeon tries to repair Jack Nicholson's face...
"But you see what they give me to work with?"
I think we can say that Paul Maurice is a good NHL coach, is doing a great job in Caroline right now, and was absolutely terrible as coach of the Leafs. All of those statements can be correct.
He was terrible in Toronto, along with everyone else in the organization at that time. I think we can exclude Mats and Kaberle from the guilty, but that's it. Don't forget that Maurice was at the helm during the Raycroft era.
Believe me, I have a concept of irrational hate. I just enjoy pestering to the point of upheaval much more.
I survive on irrational hate.
And, honestly, I just don't get Maurice's track record. He usually doesn't make the playoffs, then goes to the final with Arturs Irbe (the fuck?), comes to Toronto and completely stunk up the joint, and is now back in Carolina and beating higher seeds in games seven on the road with Cam Ward.
How the fuck am I supposed to come to a decision on him based on the above?
I think coaching in the pro level is highly overrated. The fact of the matter is that Maurice had some really good players when he was first in Carolina but once he came to Toronto the talent pool kind of dropped off after Sundin and Kaberle. Having said that, I do give his team tremendous credit as they have flown way under the radar so far this year while playing some gutsy hockey.
Now, I don't want to sound like a whining hockey fan whose team just got bounced from the playoffs because God knows I don't cheer for the Bruins but...that's got to be a tough pill to swallow for the Bruins to see Scotty Walker score the winning goal. When I was watching the game last night, first thing that came to mind after his name was announced was, "Shouldn't that guy be suspended?"
If Donald Brashshear got 6 games for his antics (yes, I know, his history of thuggery played a part in the sentencing), surely Scotty Walker deserved more than a $2500 fine for sucker punching Aaron Ward. In fact, I will go as far as to say that you can compare it somewhat to the Steve Moore/Todd Bertuzzi incident minus the stalking part on the ice. Bottom line: it was vicious, cowardly, and uncalled for. I'm all for good ol' fashion fistcuffs but if he don't want to dance with you, then he don't want to dance with you. So the NHL, once again, dropped the ball on this and basically said IT'S OK to knock someone out as long as you do it in the playoffs.
That's my rant for the day. Pittsburgh vs. Detroit again. Should be a dandy!
Lee(tch): Epic rant. I still maintain that Ward should have put his hands up, or something. You don't just let, and watch, a guy sock you like that. And, honestly, "Titletown" needs to be taken down a notch or two, and if it comes via a punch to the face, and a heartbreaking loss in overtime on home ice, man, I'm all for it.
Cornelius: You're not the annoying Boston fan, the type of which I can't stand. You and me, we're cool. And, thanks for the reminder, because it is pretty apt: fuck the Hurricanes!
I agree Pittsburgh v Detroit should be another excellent final. Only this time I'm hoping for a Pittsburgh win, but just to piss Hossa off!
Maurice is an okay coach. Take him out of the frying pan of Toronto and put him in a mid-sized market and he's in his element and the pressure is off. Still hoping the Pens sweep them though.
I the fuck knew. The 'Canes have always been my second team. People need to listen to me more.
Sarah, you are wise.
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