Heard on Episode 4.5 of A Foot In The Crease.
Throughout much of last season, it was clear that the Maple Leafs were not a tough enough team to play against—except for when Wade Belak was in the lineup, which wasn’t very often.
The reasons for the Leafs’ disinterest in utilizing Belak a year ago to fill a role in which he excelled—protecting his teammates by striking fear into opponents but without taking unnecessary penalties—I will never understand.
Instead, Belak was shipped to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a fifth round draft pick. Ryan Hollweg was acquired from the New York Rangers to fill his void, and in return the Maple Leafs sent a different fifth round pick to New York.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Essentially, the Leafs traded Belak for Hollweg, and so far the switch has been anything but a good one for the Maple Leafs.
Inexplicably, Hollweg dropped the gloves an astounding five times in the preseason—including three times in one game—losing all five bouts.
Late in the exhibition schedule, Hollweg picked up a boarding major and a game misconduct against the St. Louis Blues. This resulted in an automatic two-game suspension for accumulating three boarding majors in 41 games dating back to his time with the Rangers.
Upon returning from his suspension, Hollweg lasted only four minutes of ice time before taking another boarding major penalty against the same St. Louis Blues. This earned him a three-game suspension and possibly even more supplemental discipline.
On the ensuing five-minute power play, the Blues scored twice to tie the game on their way to winning in come-from-behind fashion.
Hollweg’s play has absolutely no place with the Leafs or in the NHL.
As wrong as Chris Simon was in tomahawking Hollweg across the head with his stick two seasons ago, Hollweg’s play thus far with the Leafs begins to allow people to understand Simon’s frustration.
Here’s hoping Hollweg gets handed at least a 20-game suspension because that will be 20 games the Leafs will be better off without him.
But hey, all that was just a rigamarole.
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about 1 month ago
Dave,you are as right as it gets.
Maybe I am on the wrong hockey planet or all of a sudden I have lost it,but I do not think so.
Remember a couple of years ago Toronto forced a guy by the name of "Tie Domie" to retire, because is type of play to the game was no-longer required.
I questioned that thinking many times over and wondered just what type of play that the Leaf Brass were refering too.
I am not comparing Hollweg to Domie,because Domie could play hockey, as well as dish-out the ruff stuff.
Domie picked his spot's and the timing was mostly right,he could also fight and did not loose many.
I am suggesting,. the coaching staff either show Hollweg some Domie clips and learn from it, or ship him out before he gets himself killed.
If this is the Hollweg-way of impressing the bosses,I must say he is failing miserably,as well as disrupting the team.
If this type of play was not needed at the end of Domie's career,it sure as hell is not needed now,at least not the Ryan Hollweg style.
Ryan Hollweg would not be in my dressing room five minutes,disrupting my team building process.
He is a very poor excuse for my pet word-"Discipline"
Ron Wilson and his coaching staff had better address this issue or all of the team may get the mental disorder-"Sundinamind"meaning-"One Is Not Sure Of The Future".
from about 1 month ago
Mitch,
I agree with everything you said. At the end of Domi's career, we were talking about the same sort of issues - unneccessary physical play that did nothing but hinder the team (early in his Leaf career he served a purpose but in the later years you could see Domi was no longer needed). Not since he left have we heard these kinds of responses refering to a member of the Maple Leafs but Hollweg has certainly brought them back to life.
Playing the role he has been asked to fill is not as simple as some might think - just run around hitting anything that moves. No, it must be done in a manner that does not simaltenously punish your team and so far, Hollweg has been unable to find that line with the Leafs nor was he ever really able to find it with the Rangers.
While his willingness to step up for his teammates has been admirable, that is all he has demonstrated as he has lost every fight and not shown an ability to be able to play just a little bit of hockey with some degree of skill.
Fletcher should admit mistake and rid his team of Hollweg's useless kind of play.
about 1 month ago
Thanks Dave.
The sad part about all of this is-he is putting himself in a position that is disruptive to a already fragile situation.
If his actions help the team ok,.but not when your team is leading 3-1.
Don't get me wrong Dave,we all seen Mr.Domie pull some bone-head plays also.
Keep up the writing and comments Dave.
from about 1 month ago
Haha oh no no, dont get me wrong, I'm not advocating for Domi one bit. He did indeed pull more than his fair share of dumb moves.
about 1 month ago
Dave let us go back a page.
Can you imagine what is going through Ron Wilson's head right now.
I put a guy in who I am trying see if he can play hockey,.or do something.
In turn Wilson gives a healthy scratch to one of his veteran's in the name of Stajan, or at least he is a vet in the eyes of many in the dressing room this year.
That being said, Stajan has in the back of his mind-"Am I that bad that he, (Wilson) can put a guy like Hollweg in my place to try and make me a better player".
In any case I do not think Wilson proved anything with this move.
I would also suggest to Mr.Hollweg-"If you need some help get in to see the coach a.s.a.p."
You have got to refresh your memory in just what roll does the coaching staff want you to play.
Hollweg is a little bit off course,and I do hope he gets it all straightened out.
Some players do have personel problems, the same as we all do from time-to-time,but talk to your coach, that is his job-"Your Problems".
I will also withdraw (some) of my pretty harsh criticism toward Ryan Hollweg,mainly because of his apoligy to the team concerning his Irresonsible play,..but-"The Point Still Remains".
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