Music: {allcanada} CARLYE'S OPEN-DOOR POLICY

Thursday, January 31, 2013

{allcanada} CARLYE'S OPEN-DOOR POLICY

The Best of The Dean Martin Variety Show! Get this blockbuster show on 6 DVDs for just $39.99 at TimeLife.com!

The Toronto Sun paints a picture of how Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle has an open-door policy that many of his players have used to their advantage.

With such a young team — at an average of 27.1 years, the Leafs are older than just the Columbus Blue Jackets, who come in at 26.9 years — it's paramount that Carlyle, and the assistant coaches, be accessible. While veteran players might have a better handle on where they stand without being told, it's different for the youngsters, who don't have experience to draw on.

"They have to have the opportunity to voice their opinion," Carlyle said. "But they have to be prepared to hear some things that, if we feel the way we feel, it's not always a one-way street.

"There are some players that, when you come in and shake their hand, they (have) sweating palms. So, there is that intimidation factor. We try to eliminate that. They have to feel free that they can come in and tell me or any member of our coaching staff how they feel."

Defenceman Cody Franson has been a healthy scratch at times, but knowing why has made it easier.

"When Randy first came in last year, he made it clear he was going to be a straight-shooter," Franson said. "It was one of the first things he addressed with us — if there was something you wanted to talk about, the door was open. Right away, that gave guys a comfortable feeling."

With Carlyle, there is no grey. Forget blue and white. It's black and white with the 56-year-old Sudbury native. And when push comes to shove, that's all that the players want.

"One of the worst things about being an athlete is wondering why things happens some times," Franson said. "When you have a guy who is willing to tell you and willing to talk to you about it, it makes your job a lot easier.

"Randy has done a really good job for that. It is better to know, good or bad, why something is happening, rather than go home and try to figure it out, because you can be completely off."