Post by whalersgm on Apr 11, 2009 11:24:03 GMT -5
NEW ENGLAND SPORTS
It looks like the time has come for something more than a first round exit for the Whalers. Rumblings from the front office gives us the impression that this will be the last season that this core of players will stay together. The past two seasons have been a roller coaster of highs and lows, but sadly the lows have been more prevalent than the highs. Whalers fans have been calling for the head of coach Ron Wilson all year, and at seasons end, management may answer that call. One would think that with the defensive talent on this team, Roberto Luongo would be spoken of with the top 5 goalies in the BUHL. The truth is he hasn't gotten the support that a defense corps like the whalers posses, should be giving him. Luongo is indeed a big part of the future of this team but any more seasons like the past two could destroy the confidence of a young goalie and this is not good practice for a team which considers Luongo their franchise player of the future.
"I think the chemistry has never fully developed with this group of guys and it shows as we haven't been able to put together any significant string of well played games. On many occasions this season we have out shot the opponent, but that can be misleading because out of 40 shots, if 10 are quality chances then with good defensive play, and a goalie like Luongo, we should win those games easily. But in a game where we will get 40 and they get 20, our defensive zone coverage has been so bad that 10 of those 20 turn out to be quality chances and that can't be blamed on our young goalie." With his future up in the air, coach Wilson basically gave us the Whalers season in a nutshell. He also went on to tell me that he's ready to be held accountable for the teams woes, but he says that accountability has been a big issue with his team the past season and a half or so. That culture is only bringing the team down so that has to change for future success.
When the axe starts chopping in the off season, there will be a move to make the young players the ultimate leaders of this team. Then when they feel Luongo has his confidence back, they may go out and find some veteran leadership to guide this team to the playoffs. The way things are going now they will be heading to another first round exit and that won't sit well with gm Marsilii, because he traded young players and signed experienced veterans to take this team to the next level. It just hasn't worked out that way, and he is willing to take the heat, but he will also do whatever it takes to right this ship, no matter who has to stay or go. No one may be safe this off season.
Bob Cobb,
New England Sports