Toronto Maple Leafs Never Tried to Get Randy Carlyle Fired

Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto Raptors. Toronto Blue Jays. Everyone in the GTA has an opinion on the local sports scene. Along those lines, I’m going to start sharing mine on a weekly basis, pending time, motivation and alcohol consumed the night before.

Toronto Maple Leafs Never Tried to Get Randy Carlyle Fired

It’s safe to say the Toronto Maple Leafs have bounced back from that nightmare against the Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators. At the time, I’ll admit it amused me how everyone suddenly thought the Leafs were an awful team.

Dec 8, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle and right wing David Clarkson (71) look on from the bench against the Boston Bruins at Air Canada Centre. The Bruins beat the Maple Leafs 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps best capturing this sentiment was Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, who asked the players if they were trying to get Randy Carlyle fired? Now, there’s a whole host of reasons why Simmons should not have asked that ridiculous question, with the main one being that it just made no sense (despite that admittedly devious look on Tyler Bozak‘s face in the featured image at the top of this page).

Prior to the two losses, the Leafs had been on a 6-2-1 streak, including impressive wins over the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins. Does that sound like a team trying to get their coach fired?

As a whole, the Leafs ended November with a 7-4-2 record, which isn’t that bad. In fact, it’s worth noting they’ve gone 10-5-2 in their last 17 games.

Toronto Raptors Will Be Okay Without DeMar DeRozan

There’s no denying DeMar DeRozan’s injury is a big blow for the Toronto Raptors. The prognosis is that he’ll be out for around four weeks with his groin injury. (A heck of a lot easier than saying “torn left adductor longus tendon, which I’m not even convinced is a real thing.)

However, I truly believe Dwane Casey and company will be okay without their All-Star shooting guard. And not just because the Raptors were 3-0 without DeRozan last season.

This roster is one of the strongest is the league, with a second unit capable of starting for other teams around the NBA. It helps that there is a real camaraderie within the team both on and off the court, and a mental fortitude highlighted by their fourth quarter heroics.

The truth is the Raptors were never likely to keep up their insane start to the season, but they’ll be just fine. Actually, my major issue is we’ll likely see more of Landry Fields on the court, although I’ll forgive him if he brings his wife along:

Moving Brett Lawrie Made Sense For Toronto Blue Jays

I know he used to frustrate a lot of people, but I’m going to miss Brett Lawrie. When he was on his game, the Toronto Blue Jays third baseman was one of the best in the league.

However, that’s the problem – it didn’t happen enough with all his injury issues. It sure didn’t help that he was always running around at 100 mph like a demented puppy, eager to please its owner.

In that respect, the move to bring Josh Donaldson in had to be made. Donaldson proved his credentials as the offensive leader for the Oakland Athletics.

In retrospect, we shouldn’t have been surprised to see Alex Anthopoulos make this trade. The 2015 campaign represents the final season in the Blue Jays three-year window of opportunity and Anthopoulos, along with John Gibbons, is fighting for his future in Toronto.

I’ll Say it Again – Time For David Braley to Sell the Toronto Argonauts

It’s bad enough I keep hearing rumours that head coach Scott Milanovich is going to leave the Toronto Argonauts. However, now there’s talk that GM Jim Barker may also be heading out the door, with the connection in this sorry state of affairs bring owner David Braley. 

Aug 12, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Argonauts head coach Scott Milanovich during a game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Rogers Centre. Toronto defeated Winnipeg 38-21. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

One of the reason’s Milanovich is seriously considering leaving is because he’s reportedly sick of Braley’s penny-pinching ways. Meanwhile, it appears Barker is not likely to be on Braley’s Christmas card list this year.

Now don’t get me wrong, I realise Braley stepped in to save the Argonauts when all hope appeared lost. However, he’s holding out for an offer he’s never going to get for the Argonauts.

It’s time for him to accept that he will never get back the money he’s spent in Toronto. Do the right thing David – sell the team to MLSE or whoever, because the fans would much rather see you leave as opposed to Milanovich and Barker.

Quick hits

The Toronto Marlies look lost right now, currently sitting bottom of the North Division after nine straight defeats . Perhaps they could rehire former head coach Dallas Eakins, who may well be available soon after ironically also going nine games without a win for the Edmonton Eskimos.

It’s no secret Toronto FC need help in defence, so we can only hope the rumours linking them to Aurelien Collin are true. I’m not saying they should go all in, a la the Blue Jays with Donaldson, but getting the two-time All-Star and 2013 MLS Cup MVP should definitely be a priority.

Last but certainly not least, I was shocked to hear about the loss of Toronto Rock GM Terry Sanderson, who passed away last Thursday at the age of 62. Sanderson, who was well liked and respected, won two Champions Cups in Toronto and will be sadly missed.