The OG NHL thread: The Cup worth biting for

[amp316]

trasharmdsister12 said:

amp316 said:

I can't say that I'm  that surprised.  The Leafs need to make a move right now if they have any chance of sneaking into the playoffs.

Personally I don't think the effect of a new coach on the Leafs can kick in fast enough for any possibility of that happening. I'd love to be proven wrong.

From what I see (and know of the crazy fans the Leafs have) the end result of them not making the play-offs will simply antagonize Carlyle and put more pressure on him (from both fans and press) come next season. Leaf Nation is nuts. Winning 3 games in a row makes Ron Wilson an unquestionable God; losing 3 in a row makes him the target of a public snow-balling.

The thing is that after a coaching change the results are almost immediately positive in all sports.  Why?  The players know that their positions aren't safe anymore and start to work their tails off out of fear.  It could be enough to get them in.  Over a long period of time is where you find out the true quality of the coach, but that wasn't my point.