I think those are valid points. And, they certainly reflected my opinion before the draft. The writer (Lawless) also agrees with the point and does not diss Matthews in any way other than his stressing Matthews as a 4 star player and Laine likely a 5 star.
- spatso

I like how you led with "This is from an important TSN column by Gary Lawless."

It not important and Lawless is not good at his job

Please .......... do you agree that the leafs made the best selection, at the draft, to fit the needs of a tanked team, that is in 100% re-build mode?

Yes or No?
- D0PPELGANGER

I think the Leafs made the best choice based on the information and scouting reports at the time.

But, and it is a huge Butt, the growing consensus is that Laine may be a generational takent. He is only 18 years of age (still) and fighting for the goal scoring lead with Sydney F. Crosby. The fun part of hockey blogs is the what "if" factor. I like when the Leaf fans argue that Matthews was the better choice. I am still perplexed when people stick their head in the sand and say I just don't want to talk about it.

Please .......... do you agree that the leafs made the best selection, at the draft, to fit the needs of a tanked team, that is in 100% re-build mode?

Yes or No?
- D0PPELGANGER

the leafs absolutely picked the right guy given their needs as a team......just like the jets made the right selection based on their team needs.

had the leafs taken laine then they'd have a ridiculous group of wingers with nobody to play center for them.

I like how you led with "This is from an important TSN column by Gary Lawless."

It not important and Lawless is not good at his job
- senstroll

It is a top story in the way that TSN has featured it. They clearly have decided to put on the table that Laine might be the better player. I think it serves their purpose for the dialogue they want to create around the World Juniors and Laine's remarkable tournament play at the World Juniors and World Championship last year. I realize it is self serving for TSN to do this but I suspect is going to be hurtful for some Leaf fans.

But, nobody should be discouraged. Dangle scored 25 goals in his rookie season playing with very little support from anyone else on the team.

It is a top story in the way that TSN has featured it. They clearly have decided to put on the table that Laine might be the better player. I think it serves their purpose for the dialogue they want to create around the World Juniors and Laine's remarkable tournament play at the World Juniors and World Championship last year. I realize it is self serving for TSN to do this but I suspect is going to be hurtful for some Leaf fans.

But, nobody should be discouraged. Dangle scored 25 goals in his rookie season playing with very little support from anyone else on the team.
- spatso

Look, the leafs needed a number one center, Matthews is a number one center, Laine is not.

They made the 100% correct choice at the draft.

End of story.

Why not move on to something else, as you're not going to convince anyone that Laine was needed more than Matthews was (to the leafs).

You're beginning to challenge prock with his "would not take Karlsson for free" take, for the most ridiculous take of all time.

Cut bait and move on.

the leafs absolutely picked the right guy given their needs as a team......just like the jets made the right selection based on their team needs.

had the leafs taken laine then they'd have a ridiculous group of wingers with nobody to play center for them.
- sensarmy_11

That is a great point. Should a team drafting #1 draft the best player or draft based primarily on team need?

That is a great point. Should a team drafting #1 draft the best player or draft based primarily on team need?
- spatso

if the players are close in talent, then you absolutely draft for need.

if a player is light years ahead of everyone in the draft (see mcdavid) then you draft the best player.

you can argue until you're blue in the face about who's better between laine and Matthews....which means they're probably pretty close......so you draft for need which is what the leafs did

It is a top story in the way that TSN has featured it. They clearly have decided to put on the table that Laine might be the better player. I think it serves their purpose for the dialogue they want to create around the World Juniors and Laine's remarkable tournament play at the World Juniors and World Championship last year. I realize it is self serving for TSN to do this but I suspect is going to be hurtful for some Leaf fans.

But, nobody should be discouraged. Dangle scored 25 goals in his rookie season playing with very little support from anyone else on the team.
- spatso

(frank) that click bait bullpoop writing that caters to the trashy fans who eat it up and post it around

Look, the leafs needed a number one center, Matthews is a number one center, Laine is not.

They made the 100% correct choice at the draft.

End of story.

Why not move on to something else, as you're not going to convince anyone that Laine was needed more than Matthews was (to the leafs).

You're beginning to challenge prock with his "would not take Karlsson for free" take, for the most ridiculous take of all time.

Cut bait and move on.
- D0PPELGANGER

spats and dopps fighting

if the players are close in talent, then you absolutely draft for need.

if a player is light years ahead of everyone in the draft (see mcdavid) then you draft the best player.

you can argue until you're blue in the face about who's better between laine and Matthews....which means they're probably pretty close......so you draft for need which is what the leafs did
- sensarmy_11

If you watch the Leafs a lot you will start to see how good Matthews is. Reminds me of how Sundin would be the best player every game..even if not scoring he stands out. playing with Hyman last night probably cost him a couple assists...just creates chances every shift.

if the players are close in talent, then you absolutely draft for need.

if a player is light years ahead of everyone in the draft (see mcdavid) then you draft the best player.

you can argue until you're blue in the face about who's better between laine and Matthews....which means they're probably pretty close......so you draft for need which is what the leafs did
- sensarmy_11

I'd still say the Leafs got the better kid anyway.

For all the yappoing that people have done about great Laine, Schiefele, Ehlers, Trouba, Morrissey, Byfuglien, Wheeler are, many of the Jets players are further along in their development, and yet, they've got 29 points in 29 games, really no different than the 25 points in 25 games the Leafs have.

I'm really not all that worried about what's gone on in the first 25 to 30 games of their careers.

Look, the leafs needed a number one center, Matthews is a number one center, Laine is not.

They made the 100% correct choice at the draft.

End of story.

Why not move on to something else, as you're not going to convince anyone that Laine was needed more than Matthews was (to the leafs).

You're beginning to challenge prock with his "would not take Karlsson for free" take, for the most ridiculous take of all time.

Cut bait and move on.
- D0PPELGANGER

I think your getting caught in the headlights. The media knows they need to address this story. Laine is having a rookie season topped only by 2 other rookies. Both these rookies were a couple of years older than Laine. The story here is that TSN, the bible of hockey, has decided to float the idea that Laine may be the better player.

This is a huge story. TSN has kept the Laine story below the fold since the beginning of the season. They have repeatedly placed stories on Matthews above the fold. So, it has resulted in their downplaying the energy around the Laine story. This is not about blog discussion points this is about the media floating the idea that they are going to begin to move the Laine story into top billing. Very exciting.

That is a great point. Should a team drafting #1 draft the best player or draft based primarily on team need?
- spatso

C'mon man............ you've never heard of this before?

Please fill in the rabbit hole you're digging ....... leafs made the 100% correct choice for their team. The draft is over, and no one here, in leafs management, in the sports media are suggesting the leafs trade Matthews for Laine ........ so you're alone here, so let's just let it go ............. relax and move on.

If you watch the Leafs a lot you will start to see how good Matthews is. Reminds me of how Sundin would be the best player every game..even if not scoring he stands out. playing with Hyman last night probably cost him a couple assists...just creates chances every shift.
- senstroll

I agree he's going to be an excellent player.....so is laine. I don't think one is clearly better than the other which is why the leafs made the right choice in taking the center they needed.

if a player is head and shoulders above everyone else then you take the BPA.....the oilers already had RNH and draisaitl so didn't really NEED a center, but had several needs elsewhere.....still, McDavid was generational so you take the BPA and fill the roster holes some other way.

I think your getting caught in the headlights. The media knows they need to address this story. Laine is having a rookie season topped only by 2 other rookies. Both these rookies were a couple of years older than Laine. The story here is that TSN, the bible of hockey, has decided to float the idea that Laine may be the better player.

This is a huge story. TSN has kept the Laine story below the fold since the beginning of the season. They have repeatedly placed stories on Matthews above the fold. So, it has resulted in their downplaying the energy around the Laine story. This is not about blog discussion points this is about the media floating the idea that they are going to begin to move the Laine story into top billing. Very exciting.
- spatso

Only dummies that think laine’s +20% shooting percentage over less than 30 games is sustainable over his career believe it is a clear cut laine is the better player.


Anyone with half a brain realizes they should both be great players and both the jets and leafs won big at the draft.

If you watch the Leafs a lot you will start to see how good Matthews is. Reminds me of how Sundin would be the best player every game..even if not scoring he stands out. playing with Hyman last night probably cost him a couple assists...just creates chances every shift.
- senstroll

I have watched both teams about the same amount of time. I would say that Matthews is the more complete player, obviously more responsible and a better defensive player. Laine strikes me as more explosive and reads the attack zone like a striker, he knows where to go and he is incredibly effective in getting his release. Over the little while he seems to be getting even more effective in getting into his shooting space. When you think that other teams are already playing their top defensive line and Dmen against him. Exciting times!

Only dummies that think laine’s +20% shooting percentage over less than 30 games is sustainable over his career believe it is a clear cut laine is the better player.


Anyone with half a brain realizes they should both be great players and both the jets and leafs won big at the draft.
- Tumbleweed

Well that is a step back for you declaring that both the jets and leafs won the draft. Did you think that way going into draft week? We would have two winners. I thought, and obviously said, the Leafs needed to do due diligence on the choice. Should not be surprised that this month is the confluence of conjecture as TSN starts to build story lines for the World Juniors in three weeks.

i can't believe this thread exists

i can't believe this thread exists
- DoubleDown

welcome to hell my friend

i can't believe this thread exists
- DoubleDown

This is a most wonderful thread comprised of some of my very best friends. Mrs. Spatso sometimes wonder if I have a girl friend and I just tell her that "it is just hockey."

i can't believe this thread exists
- DoubleDown

if there was an "under the bridge" for sports internet this would be it........

I think your getting caught in the headlights. The media knows they need to address this story. Laine is having a rookie season topped only by 2 other rookies. Both these rookies were a couple of years older than Laine. The story here is that TSN, the bible of hockey, has decided to float the idea that Laine may be the better player.

This is a huge story. TSN has kept the Laine story below the fold since the beginning of the season. They have repeatedly placed stories on Matthews above the fold. So, it has resulted in their downplaying the energy around the Laine story. This is not about blog discussion points this is about the media floating the idea that they are going to begin to move the Laine story into top billing. Very exciting.
- spatso

Seek help

This is a most wonderful thread comprised of some of my very best friends. Mrs. Spatso sometimes wonder if I have a girl friend and I just tell her that "it is just hockey."
- spatso

if there was an "under the bridge" for sports internet this would be it........


- sensarmy_11

Actually, I have a pretty stressful job (just went for stress test yesterday) and the deliberations on this thread provide an alternative reality to the rest of the noise in my life. I think of this as being a koan in relation to everything else. A koan is a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment.

Actually, I have a pretty stressful job (just went for stress test yesterday) and the deliberations on this thread provide an alternative reality to the rest of the noise in my life. I think of this as being a koan in relation to everything else. A koan is a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment.
- spatso

You're doing it all wong. You're no where close to enlightenment.

It's okay though. I'm sure you're trying your best.