So you kinda agree that he's being used as a Marketing tool to some extent.
Don't blame you (as a leaf fan) as you've probably not seen him play too much, and would be interested to see how he fares vs NHL level competition.

Kinda makes the point being made by Pecafan Fan.
- D0PPELGANGER

well, it doesn't though. The point made was that he has no NHL experience, and therefore shouldn't be there. then cited Kessel as someone who "deserved" it more.

First, it's all entertainment, and in the end, meaningless hockey. It's a sideshow, for fun. But.....

- there are all kinds of players playing for the likes of Finland, Sweden, Russia, czech, etc, that are not in the NHL, and never have been. Matthews has had more success in Euro leagues than a lot of them. Hell, Patrick Laine, the SECOND overall is playing, and not even for an under 23 team. so is Sebastien Aho, a second round pick from last year.
- it's not like he's taking Kessel's spot, because Kessel is injured, and
- they're not even eligible for the same f*&king team
- it's hilarious, like fall on floor laughing, seeing Dopps and Spatso pump Kessel's tires now. They think it grates on us, but it doesn't. The majority of Leaf fans actually really like Kessel. And he's still country miles better than Booby Ryan, who also didn't make the team, and has worked his way into one of the worst contracts in the league.
- even if Matthews and Kessel DID play for the same team, given the success USA hockey has had in the past with choosing solid 2 way players, I wouldn't even say Kessel over Matthews is a slam dunk (again, since the guys running this team don't ignore experience in other pro leagues).
- the point that he was chosen for Leaf fans is f*&ked, given that he was selected to the team before he was a Leaf.

It's a secondary benefit. But it doesn't matter who was picking first, Matthews, as the first overall pick, would have been there.

It's the young stars team. Matthews is the youngest and among the starriest, as the most recent 1st overall pick.
- Feeling Glucky?

I had no doubt he was going to be on the team NMW, as the "young stars" thing is a promotional gimmick to attract new NHL fans, mainly from the US.

well, it doesn't though. The point made was that he has no NHL experience, and therefore shouldn't be there. then cited Kessel as someone who "deserved" it more.

First, it's all entertainment, and in the end, meaningless hockey. It's a sideshow, for fun. But.....

- there are all kinds of players playing for the likes of Finland, Sweden, Russia, czech, etc, that are not in the NHL, and never have been. Matthews has had more success in Euro leagues than a lot of them.
- it's not like he's taking Kessel's spot, because Kessel is injured, and
- they're not even eligible for the same f*&king team
- it's hilarious, like fall on floor laughing, seeing Dopps and Spatso pump Kessel's tires now. They think it grates on us, but it doesn't. The majority of Leaf fans actually really like Kessel. And he's still country miles better than Booby Ryan, who also didn't make the team, and has worked his way into one of the worst contracts in the league.
- even if Matthews and Kessel DID play for the same team, given the success USA hockey has had in the past with choosing solid 2 way players, I wouldn't even say Kessel over Matthews is a slam dunk (again, since the guys running this team don't ignore experience in other pro leagues).
- the point that he was chosen for Leaf fans is f*&ked, given that he was selected to the team before he was a Leaf.
- prock

Don't know where you read anything I wrote that would lead you to believe that. In fact the only thing I remember recently writing about Kessel, was the drop in Hot Dog Sales, at the stand outside the leafs practice facility.


http://nesn.com/2015/07/p...o-column-following-trade/

I had no doubt he was going to be on the team NMW, as the "young stars" thing is a promotional gimmick to attract new NHL fans, mainly from the US.
- D0PPELGANGER

the whole tournament is a promotional gimmick??

the whole tournament is a promotional gimmick??
- prock

pretty much that and a money grab

the whole tournament is a promotional gimmick??
- prock

I was quick clearly referencing the Young Stars team . thought that was pretty obvious.


tell me, what part of " as the "young stars" thing is a promotional gimmick to attract new NHL fans, mainly from the US." did you not understand?

Listening to the "The Drive" on TSN 1200 on way home from work and they were talking about the promotion like atmosphere of the upcoming World Cup and the decision to put Toronto draft pick Auston Matthew on the team as pure marketing, based on Toronto being the venue.

Two points they seemed to make. Matthews was entirely undeserving of the nomination (other than for the fact the event is being held in Toronto). And, the Leafs are once again prematurely hyping expectations around a kid. If he is less than a star he will be run out of town.
- spatso

Which is worse? The heartbreak or the ass pain

the whole tournament is a promotional gimmick??
- prock

Exactly. This was the point of the guys on TSN 1200. It is all about promotion and hockey fans should gauge their enthusiasm in direct relation to undertasnding this is a pretty soft exhibition round robin event.

Leafs by a country mile

Leafs by a country mile
- the_cause2000

I don't think the leafs will finish behind the Senators, by a country mile again this coming season. They should be able to close that gap after the signing of Martin Marincin a couple of day ago.

Leafs by a country mile
- the_cause2000

I just traveled the route by car. My odometer said it was 10 miles.

I just traveled the route by car. My odometer said it was 10 miles.
- systemtool

Yeah, but what country were you in?

Yeah, but what country were you in?
- D0PPELGANGER

This one. Not this one. That one. No, not that one. The other one.

http://www.thescore.com/news/1064617

http://www.thescore.com/news/1064617
- systemtool

Pssshhhh. Only reason they have Ottawa so low is because they're toronto based. Has nothing to do with the clear lack of high end skill in Ottawa's prospect pool.

Pssshhhh. Only reason they have Ottawa so low is because they're toronto based. Has nothing to do with the clear lack of high end skill in Ottawa's prospect pool.
- Feeling Glucky?

Yep because the score is the place to go for all your hockey knowledge

Yep because the score is the place to go for all your hockey knowledge
- top shelf 15

hockeybuzz.com is

hockeybuzz.com is
- daeth

The score is a joke ,we are in no means top 5 but bottom 2 come on
And Chabot is a bust because he didnt dominate a nothing scrimage in July.No mention of good prospects like Perron, Gagne,Englund etc.That should be coming into the ahl this season

Yep because the score is the place to go for all your hockey knowledge
- top shelf 15

It's probably a little harsh on the Sens, yeah. I've seen others rank them as high as something like 18. Which is probably high. They're in the 20s though, for sure. Mybe 25.

Chabot is getting massively overrated by Sens fans. He's nothing special. Probably projects to a 2nd or 3rd pair dman.

It's a true statement that the Sens have no high end talent in their system. when I say high end, I mean guys that project into top line or top pairing guys.

The score is a joke ,we are in no means top 5 but bottom 2 come on
And Chabot is a bust because he didnt dominate a nothing scrimage in July.No mention of good prospects like Perron, Gagne,Englund etc.That should be coming into the ahl this season
- top shelf 15

Every team has plenty of prospects like this.

Every team has plenty of prospects like this.
- prock

You guys just watched Perron against your boy Marner ,he isnt just some random prospect .A 7th rounder doing what he did this season come on

You guys just watched Perron against your boy Marner ,he isnt just some random prospect .A 7th rounder doing what he did this season come on
- top shelf 15

you mean in the Mem Cup?

He paled in comparison to Marner in the Mem Cup. Total afterthought.

Perron is okay, he's just 2 or 3 tiers below Marner. Someone I stand by saying doesn't really project into a top line player.

These guy that put up points as undersized overage CHL players frequently never play a game in the NHL.

you mean in the Mem Cup?

He paled in comparison to Marner in the Mem Cup. Total afterthought.

Perron is okay, he's just 2 or 3 tiers below Marner. Someone I stand by saying doesn't really project into a top line player.
- prock

Colin White is a good prospect top 5 in ncaa scoring as freshman despite missing time to injury .As for bolded they lost in game 7 after he tied it ,never said he was better than Marner .But no skill come on ,he is a 7th rounder .That had 108 points in 60 some games

you mean in the Mem Cup?

He paled in comparison to Marner in the Mem Cup. Total afterthought.

Perron is okay, he's just 2 or 3 tiers below Marner. Someone I stand by saying doesn't really project into a top line player.

These guy that put up points as undersized overage CHL players frequently never play a game in the NHL.
- prock

So you're saying that both Mitch Marner (5.11 and 164 lbs) and Francis Perron ( 6.00 and 163 lbs) will never "play a game in the NHL"?

The score is a joke ,we are in no means top 5 but bottom 2 come on
And Chabot is a bust because he didnt dominate a nothing scrimage in July.No mention of good prospects like Perron, Gagne,Englund etc.That should be coming into the ahl this season
- top shelf 15

To be fair.. the Sens are pretty crappy..and the leafs are good