01-02-2020, 02:19 AM
Despite just one regulation win in their last 15 games, Dave Nonis re-iterated that he is committed to both Randy Carlyles coaching staff and to supporting the teams young players, particularly Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner. Cheap Shoes Discount . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. Randy didnt get stupid overnight, hes a heck of a coach,” Nonis said, pointing out that he felt the Carlyle-led staff was the biggest reason the team broke its nearly decade-long post-season drought last year, adding that rumblings about his job security are “completely unfounded.” The GM, still in his first year on the job after taking over on January 9 from Brian Burke, named “consistency” as the teams biggest concern 36 games into the season. “Its not that we havent seen high-level play from them, its that it hasnt happened on a 60-minute basis very often, and it hasnt happened on a nightly basis and that has to change if we want to turn this around. Despite the ongoing struggles, Nonis has been encouraged by the play of the Leafs youngsters, particularly on the back-end. “One of the bright spot of our slide has been the play of our young players,” Nonis said, noting that Gardiner and Rielly “are the future of our team.” The decision to keep Rielly was one the Leafs brass had battled with all season, but with the 19-year-old demonstrating that he was one of the teams “top two or three defenceman over the last five games,” the choice was made to allow him to develop his game in the NHL. “His play dictated that he was going to be (with the Leafs moving forward),” Nonis said, while also mentioning that he expects both Rielly and Gardiner to keep playing on a regular basis. Furthering his commitment to the teams youth, Nonis made it known that the Leafs are going to have to live with the mistakes made by players like Rielly and Gardiner if the team wants them to develop properly. “Theres very few young defencemen in this league that dont make mistakes, particularly ones that are offensive minded like Jake,” Nonis explained. “Jake has a bit of a gamblers mentality and thats what makes him special and what makes him dangerous and it also causes some turnovers.” Asked about whether he has explored trade possibilities, Nonis said he is having discussions but is not willing to pull the trigger on deals which would negatively impact his teams future. “If the moves available are going to hurt your team long-term, then theres absolutely no reason to make any of those moves.” Regarding questions about the teams leadership, Nonis gave his captain a strong vote of confidence, while also saying the loss of veteran centre Dave Bolland may have had a bigger impact than many thought. “Dion has probably played the best hockey he has as a Leaf, this year,” Nonis said. “The one guy that I think weve really missed in terms of how he plays the game in terms of what he brought to us early on is Dave Bolland. He was a catalyst early on for our team and I think a lot of the players were following him.” Touching on his big free-agent acquisition David Clarkson, Nonis explained he isnt expecting the $5.2-million-a-year winger to replicate the 30-goal season he had with the Devils in 2011-12, but does need him to provide something more than what he has demonstrated thus far. “We need David Clarkson to be David Clarkson. I dont think hes a 30-goal scorer, we said that when we signed him. We need him to be hard to play against...he needs to be himself, he cant do more than hes capable of.” Cheap Shoes Wholesale . The teams all-time leading scorer, DeRo has won everything there is to win in MLS. Cheap Shoes For Sale . Make the extra pass, take care of the ball, play defence and get more out of his bench. https://www.cheapshoesdiscount.com/ . As if he had been rehearsing it, Vasquez looked around with a grimacing stare as he clinched two fists and flexed his muscles. What do you think of DeMar DeRozans face after he hits a big shot, he was asked moments earlier.TORONTO – Brett Lawrie is off to a slow start at the plate, just 3-for-29 (.103) entering Wednesday nights tilt with the Astros. Approached to discuss his early season slump, Lawrie obliged but it wasnt long before he got a little help from a friend. "Hell be fine," Jose Reyes shouted as he walked by the discussion. The 24-year-old had a solid Grapefruit League, hitting .339/.373/.484 with two home runs. But thats spring training, the quality of pitching varies (Baseball Reference ranked Lawries mound opponents an 8.6/10) and the types of pitches that get thrown in certain counts are different; often times a pitcher goes into an appearance looking to work on specific parts of his repertoire. Eight games in, Lawrie insists hes not pressing. "Its a long season, man," said Lawrie. "I mean, weve still got 140-plus games so for me to push the panic button right now is no point because its a long year so stay healthy, just keep going and grinding and getting after it. The main thing is that were winning so obviously find positivity there and obviously look to do the job again today and find some way to contribute to the team." The thing is, Lawrie likely is pressing. The fact he doesnt want to talk about it, or admit to it, is fine. "Hes a little mental right now," said hitting coach Kevin Seitzer. "Hes sitting on pitches and hes guessing wrong is whats happening. When that happens you start to lose your approach; you want to get in just to try to hit the ball hard and that ends up being a recipe for disaster. Hes just pressing right now." Lawrie and Seitzer convened for an early Wednesday afternoon hitting session in the batting cage. The aim wasnt to go over significant mechanical tweaks but rather pitch recognition, which is sometimes compromised when a hitter struggles and begins to think too much in the batters box. It appears to the layman observer that the hitch Lawrie had last year has returned to his swing, which occurs just as hes cocking his bat to bring it through the strike zone. "He had some of that in spring training too," said Seitzer. "The late is from tension of reacting to fastballs instead of being ready to hit them and then when you do get one, when youre looking for one and you get it, then you try and do too much and that causes more tension." Manager John Gibbons goes out of his way to praise Lawries maturity, noting his third basemans ability to maintain his composure throughout the early season slump. "Hes come a long way," said Gibbons. Lawrie knows he can contribute in other areas. "Youve got both sides of the coin youve got to worry about," said Lawrie. Cheap Shoes 2020. . "Ultimately, if I cant get it done on offence one day than hopefully I can help the team out on defence. Thats kind of how it goes, just try to find a way to contribute." CECIL TAKING CARE Brett Cecil was available for the Blue Jays on Wednesday night against the Astros. He had a 16-pitch, one inning appearance versus Houston on Tuesday and Cecils been careful since spring training not to overextend his arm. "Really what it comes down to is how I feel the day after and how much I can go, whether its just a hitter or a full inning," said Cecil. Cecil made a career-high 60 appearances in 2013, his first full season as a reliever. He was shut down in mid-September, however, suffering from elbow pain. "When I throw one day usually there are no problems, no stiffness," said Cecil. "When I throw two days in a row, the next day it will be a little bit sore. Unless its towards the end of the season, a playoff race or something, that would probably be the only time Id go three days in a row." WAGNER RECALLED Reliever Neil Wagner is back with the Blue Jays, recalled prior to Wednesdays game against the Astros. Right-hander Marcus Walden, who didnt get into a game since joining the Jays on Saturday, was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. The Blue Jays made no secret that Wagners springtime demotion was strictly a business move – Wagner had an option left and others didnt. "Wagner came into his own last year," said manager John Gibbons. "Hes a guy that can get some big outs late in the game for you." With Casey Janssen still on the disabled list with an abdominal strain and Sergio Santos in the closers role in Janssens stead, the Jays need another late-inning right-hander to work alongside Steve Delabar. Wagner fits the mold. With his mid-to-high 90s fastball, the 30-year-old stuck out 33 hitters in 38 innings over 36 appearances for the Blue Jays last season. BASEBALL PODCAST Each week, Ill sit down with Toronto Star baseball columnist Richard Griffin and MLB.coms Blue Jays beat reporter Gregor Chisholm for the Baseball Podcast. Well discuss the latest news surrounding the ballclub. The aim will be record the podcast each Wednesday but will depend on our respective schedules. Well keep you posted on Twitter. Click here for the first edition, recorded the afternoon of Wednesday, April 9. We talk about the early season performance of the starting rotation, hitters running hot and cold through the first week of the season and last weeks salary deferral revelations. ' ' '