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The Leafs are 0-6-1 and with no sign of greener pastures just yet, the question had to be asked, how long do you stick with Ron Wilson before a change is in order? Brian Burke said he'd fire every player before he even thought about firing Ron Wilson. Obviously he was using a hyperbole, because we all know that's not possible, but I understand what he means. He's placed the onus on the players. That's an admirable approach, and probably one that I would take if I were in the shoes of a General Manager that runs a team low on talent, but high on energy and effort.

However, I'm not so quick to protect this coach. Regardless of the below-average skill level he's faced with and the fact that you can't teach anyone how to score goals, Ron Wilson isn't doing his job. One thing a coach can do, especially with the types of bodies the Leafs have (most of them are big, strong, and fast) is teach special teams. Especially the penalty kill - it's all tactical. The players become like chess pieces, and whether you're Evgeni Malkin or Rickard Wallin, all things are equal when your team is down a man, so long as your coach knows what he's doing.

I don't see a shred of consistency to the Leafs penalty kill, and that's because there's no sign of structure. People are all over the place, sticks are waving about aimlessly, bodies are turned the wrong way, defencemen are in the wrong quadrants of their zone, and so on and so forth. This is a result of one of two things; either the players aren't listening or the coach isn't instructing them. Now, I don't want to make false accusations, but I think there's enough evidence to suggest it is the latter.

Consider the power play. Through seven games, I've seen only one semblance of a strategy, and it involved nothing more than Tomas Kaberle saucering the puck over to Francois Beauchemin for a one-timer. That's it. The whole power play revolves around this one-timer gameplan. There's no movement between the circles, there's nobody posting up on the half-wall for a big shot, and there's no cross crease interchanges. The Leafs power play is abysmal. Again, coaching is the biggest part of that. The proof is in the pudding - Darcy Tucker, a man of little skill, once scored 17 power play goals for Toronto. Almost any NHLer is capable, they just need to be given some guidance.

I don't want to dive too far into their 5-on-5 system, other than to say it doesn't appear that they have one. Ron Wilson probably thinks a left wing lock will help him protect his bicycle. That's not sarcasm. Don't forget, this is the man who attempted to solve a six-game losing streak by canceling practice and scheduling some on-ice dodgeball.

Demons & Demons

Am I the only one put off by the whole Theoren Fleury situation? It would appear so. Having been subjected to the release of his tell-all book, and believe me, he told us a lot, and countless television interviews, we've all gotten to know a little bit more about the man behind the mask (or visor in this case). Don't get me wrong, some terrible things have been done to Mr. Fleury. But I have to question, simply because nobody else is, Theoren's response to what Graham James allegedly did to him and his subsequent attempt to profit from it all.

Many people turn to alcohol and drugs. I could never understand why. Whether we're talking about professional athletes or an average Joe, or Jane, on the street, it seems to happen far too often. In Fleury's case, people keep making excuses for him. "He was a victim," they say. "He was caught up in the temptations of a big city like New York." And the worst excuse is the one I hear the most - that drinking is "part of the culture of hockey." Give me a break. If Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are going out partying and getting drunk every night, then I'm getting drafted first overall next June. I'm not naive enough to deny that most players drink on occasion, or that some players drink heavily on a more regular basis, but that doesn't mean that drinking and drug use are part of the culture of hockey. Alcoholism and drug abuse are part of the culture of the individual. Theoren Fleury's adventure into the abyss, regardless of his motivations, was a product of his own choice, and ultimately, inexcusable.

He has "demons" they say. As if he were some kind of angel corrupted by the NHL. Theoren Fleury was a man that had wrong done to him and being confused about what to do come decision time, made a bad call. There are people everywhere who have been dealt a bad hand. It's what they choose to do about it that really means something. It's cliche, but two wrongs don't make a right. Theoren Fleury chose to bankrupt himself on drugs and alcohol (lest we forget he made almost $13 million playing for the Rangers). Now, he's begging for sympathy, and hoping the nostalgic fans of Calgary, and this country, will re-load his bank account. I guess there really is no honour among thieves, even when the victim and perpetrator are one and the same.

Sweet Revenge

For a few years now, it appears that Buffalo Sabres' GM Darcy Regier and Head Coach Lindy Ruff have been content to sit back and watch talent walk out the door at season's end, for a variety of reasons. A perennial contender not too long ago, the Sabres have struggled mightily the past two seasons, and the projections weren't looking good heading in to '09-'10. Interestingly enough, thanks in large part to the stellar play of goaltender Ryan Miller, Buffalo is sitting atop the Northeast division three weeks into the season. I don't wish ill upon anyone, but sometimes I think people deserve what comes their way, even when it hurts them. Take a look at this beauty by the man the people of Buffalo once loved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN63TneKfKI

Variety Is Good

Like many of you, I sat through several hours of season preview coverage last night, and for the most part I was underwhelmed. The climax of the show is supposed to be the panelists making their Stanley Cup predictions, but there was nothing dramatic about any of the selections on either network. The so called "experts" didn't make any significant changes to last year's final standings, and all the familiar faces (Detroit, Pittsburgh, and San Jose) made countless appearances in the championship dance graphics. Sure many of them were also on the Philadelphia band-wagon, but it was almost silly when four straight TSN analysts predicted they would make the final. How about some variety people?!

I'm an odds man, and when it comes to picking the Stanley Cup finalist this early, I know one thing... they can't possibly ALL get it right. Sorry Flyers fans.

So how do I see the teams stacking up this year? Here are my predictions, by division. I have placed an asterisk next to the teams I believe will qualify for the post-season.

NORTHEAST

1. Boston*

2. Ottawa*

3. Toronto*

4. Buffalo

5. Montreal

ATLANTIC

1. Philadelphia*

2. Pittsburgh*

3. New York*

4. New Jersey

5. Long Island

SOUTHEAST

1. Washington*

2. Atlanta*

3. Carolina

4. Tampa Bay

5. Florida

CENTRAL

1. Chicago*

2. Detroit*

3. St. Louis*

4. Columbus

5. Nashville

NORTHWEST

1. Vancouver*

2. Calgary*

3. Minnesota

4. Edmonton

5. Colorado

PACIFIC

1. Anaheim*

2. San Jose*

3. Los Angeles*

4. Dallas

5. Phoenix