There are several heated debates as to why the Leafs seem to be in a never-ending free fall. Fingers point at everyone from Brian Burke and Ron Wilson to Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf.
The fact of the matter is it is Ron Wilson, and only Ron Wilson who is to blame for his team's play, but the problems aren't X's and O's.
These are all professionals. Every last one of them know how to play fundamental hockey, they know how to skate, shoot, check and on occasion, fight.
The Leafs don't seem to be able to anticipate their opposition. Anticipation is more a fundamental of good hockey than being able to tie up your skates. Wayne Gretzky is arguably the greatest player in the history of the league and what made him great was mostly his ability to visualize and anticipate where the puck was going to be and get there first.
That skill is something that you need to want, one that you need to teach yourself and have the desire to get better at. It isn't one that you can force on someone.
We can argue "talent level" and "potential" all day long. The fact is, the Toronto Maple Leafs are as capable of beating anyone on any given night a ...
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Article written by Eric Warren
Toronto Maple Leafs: Anticipating, a Fundamental Failure
December 3rd, 2010 by Eric Warren Leave a reply »
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