More details are emerging in the wake of Francois Allaire’s decision to quit as Maple Leafs goaltending guru.
Just to get everyone up to speed...
On Monday, it was reported that Allaire had decided to leave the organization after three years of tutoring the likes of young netminders James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson.
Allaire cited interference from Toronto’s coaching staff and management as his reason for moving on, telling the National Post, “If that’s the way they want to operate, then I’m not there.”
Predictably, Leafs GM Brian Burke shot back the very next day. While Burke didn’t deny there was interference, he said Allaire’s refusal to adapt to modern goaltending techniques forced the club to step in before and during the team’s disastrous 7-18-4 finish to a once-promising season.
Which brings us to today’s report in the Toronto Star, in which we learn (via Burke, presumably) that Allaire had bickered with the Leafs’ coaching staff for much of the season and had finally been presented with an ultimatum by head coach Randy Carlyle. Allaire could either agree to the terms of it, or he wouldn’t be back in 2012-13.
The list included: working a maximum 17 days a month, including six with the Marlies, rather than being around the team every day; apologizing to the coaches on staff he had offended; and a commitment to teaching a more aggressive goaltending style.
Not surprisingly, Allaire would have none of it and chose to leave.
Now, to be fair, most of us have worked at places where people had differences of opinion (Halford and I routinely fight when he’s wrong and I’m right), but the fact all of the above is playing out in public doesn’t bode well for Burke’s future with the organization.
If things in Toronto don’t turn around, and soon, the new owners will need to go in a different direction. (For instance, towards the playoffs.)