Losing no longer an option: Wilson

Ron Wilson, as colourful and quotable as ever, was introduced as the Maple Leafs' head coach yesterday, declaring that he's "not the Antichrist" he's been painted to be in some circles.

But as he prepares for his first season in the Vatican, as his pal Brian Burke called hockey's epicentre, he made comments that some of his players might find heretical.

Wilson declared that the culture of the Leafs' room needed to change, that the players required an improved defensive system and that one of the long-time fan favourites, Darcy Tucker, was starting to "wear down."

Even when it came to Toronto's young talent, something with which the Leaf hierarchy is trying to create some optimism, he conceded the cupboard is "a little bare."

Long-time Leaf observers would be hard-pressed to argue any of his points, but that kind of public honesty is rarely displayed by someone just signing on to the team boasting "the passion that unites us all."

It's a dramatic and refreshing contrast to the assertion of his predecessor, Paul Maurice, who last September, on the eve of a third consecutive season of missing the playoffs, promised that the Leafs would compete for the Stanley Cup.

"Maybe I'm the guy who can take a look at the team the way it should be looked at and bring a perspective from outside the organization," Wilson said. "Clearly, I'm not so desperate to coach a hockey team that I would lie my way in, saying things people want to hear so I can get a job and laugh my way to the bank. I want to win the Stanley Cup and it has to be done a certain way."

At the root of that, apart from his well-earned reputation for developing young talent, Wilson wants to change the collective mindset of a team that critics say has been too accepting of defeat. That may also mean major changes in personnel.

"There comes a point where you have to decide if the core has to change," said Wilson. "That can happen on a team and people need fresh starts somewhere else and a team needs leadership brought in, not a core that's gotten used to being mediocre. That's no longer acceptable. Making the playoffs is not our goal. Our goal is to win the Stanley Cup. Period.

"That's going to be clear from day one. I can't guarantee we're going to make the playoffs this year. I don't even know what type of team (we're going to have). The only thing I can guarantee is this team will not accept defeat. If they go down, they'll go down swinging. They'll compete hard every night. That (mentality) is what we have to create in this whole organization."

Wilson was quick to point out it will be Cliff Fletcher making any player moves, but that he would offer advice. For example, he plans a sit-down with Mark Bell, a player he coached in San Jose, to determine if he still might be effective after some tough times off the ice.

Wilson also wants to go over tape of Tucker's play to get a better sense of where he might fit in. Tucker's name comes up often in speculation on who Toronto might buy out.

"Darcy Tucker for years was one of my favourite hockey players, but ... he's starting to wear down. His role on the team, I'm not really sure. I want to spend some time over the next two weeks, watch some film closely, not as a fan but as a coach, and give Cliff my input. That's all I ask from Cliff, is a little bit of input."

Fletcher said he openly welcomes Wilson's suggestions.

"I've always worked closely with the coach. He'll definitely have input," he said. "If a coach wants a player, why wouldn't you let the coach have him, and if a coach really doesn't want a player on his team, it doesn't make an awful lot of sense to say, 'You've got to keep him.' "

On the ice, Wilson said one of his goals is to upgrade the Leafs' defensive play to augment a "great goaltender" in Vesa Toskala, who he used to coach in San Jose.

"What I think from watching the Leafs is this team needs a little bit more structure defensively; it needs to do a better job killing penalties," said Wilson, whose Sharks were one of the best defensive teams in the league.

"Little things like that, I think I can help make a difference here."

NOTES: Fletcher said he expects captain Mats Sundin to tell him what his plans are before he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1. Fletcher said he'd be willing to give Sundin another one-year deal with a no-trade clause if that's what it takes to sign him. ... The Leafs have fired pro scout Shawn Simpson and replaced him with Pat Conacher. Fletcher said the team will also have a new director of player personnel in place for the draft.

The Toronto Star