from Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun,

With all due respect to Paul Maurice, who knows the challenges of the Toronto market, the Leafs have put themselves in front of the firing squad.

Maurice made some noise on Friday after his Winnipeg Jets practised here in advance of a game vs. the Leafs the following night, suggesting that media criticism can make playing hockey here like a “drive-by shooting.”

After the Leafs latest loss, a 2-1 snoozer to the Carolina Hurricanes last night in Raleigh, the Leafs will limp home, shoulders slumped and wondering just how low it can go.

But the notion that media and fan criticism is responsible for the two-month long debacle is a bunch of crap.

As a coach here, Maurice knows how rough things can get and how managing the reaction to criticism is important. But he also knows the difference between good and bad hockey.

continued