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

irony. found it.

Page 666

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.
- spatso

irony

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

irony.

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

So exciting.

Tampa now on life support ....... if they lose one more game, and both Ottawa and Boston manage a couple of points in their couple of games, Tampa is pretty much gone from the playoff picture.

Montreal clinched first, Ottawa, Bruins and leafs now will jockey for the remaining three PO spots.
- D0PPELGANGER

Regulation wins and losses in the Atlantic

Montreal 33/24
Toronto 32/24
Boston 37/30
Ottawa 32/27
Tampa 29/29
Buffalo 24/32
Detroit 16/32

But losers are what losers do and it does not change the reality that Leafs are in last place in the Atlantic Division.
- spatso

What changes it then? your tears?

All teams, throughout the course of a season, play a few games that they were totally outplayed, but still managed to win, and an equal number of games that they lose when they totally outplay the other team.

This is normal for all teams, and not unique to one team.

Post all the fancy stats you want, but until the NHL changes the way the award points after a game, it's still all about wins, losses and ties (loser points).

Ottawa currently sitting with the 8th best record in the NHL at .630
toronto currently sitting with the 23rd best record in the NHL at .500
- D0PPELGANGER

Agreed. those fancy stays don't predict anything.

Nobody is cheering against Matthews. Pretty normal to see do overs being discussed after the draft and once the season starts. Great sports question is if you held the draft today who goes first? Who wins the Calder? Don't understand why Leaf fans fight against discussion.
- spatso

I don't either.

Regulation wins and losses in the Atlantic

Montreal 33/24
Toronto 32/24
Boston 37/30
Ottawa 32/27
Tampa 29/29
Buffalo 24/32
Detroit 16/32
- walshyleafsfan

Loser points in the Atlantic

leafs 15
Sabres 12
Wings 12
Panthers 11
Tampa 10
Ottawa 10
Montreal 9
Boston 6

I suspect all that means is the fan base gets ahead of the development curve and presses prematurely for better team results.

Other than for the screw up on Laine the Leafs are making great moves. But, it is not helpful when the Hockey News and other Toronto based voices insist the Leafs are playoff ready.it takes time before it gets better.
- spatso

major screw up.

Regulation wins and losses in the Atlantic

Montreal 33/24
Toronto 32/24
Boston 37/30
Ottawa 32/27
Tampa 29/29
Buffalo 24/32
Detroit 16/32
- walshyleafsfan

I wonder if any teams in the playoffs right now have a negative goal differential.

Do you already forget. My issue was not against Matthews. I still think he is a good pick. My issue was that nobody was prepared to discuss the draft. There is nothing worse than a closed mind. Both the fans and, more important, Leaf management refused to consider a change to Laine. He was spectacular at the World Juniors, in the Finnish playoffs and at the World Championships.

Somebody may have screwed up. It is unfortunate.
- spatso

unfortunately my last call out for now...

The irony is that as you begin to look retrospectively at what I said you can see that I thought Matthews was the right pick for the Leafs.
- spatso

"based on info and scouting reports at the time" and "laine is a 5 star, generational player and Matthews is a 4 star"

You need to stfu.

Irony

So exciting.
- systemtool

Laine season only topped by 2 other rookies..... wonder who they might be? Matthews can't keep up with laines talents.

Laine season only topped by 2 other rookies..... wonder who they might be? Matthews can't keep up with laines talents.
- burn

spatso and his silly irony

Loser points in the Atlantic

leafs 15
Sabres 12
Wings 12
Panthers 11
Tampa 10
Ottawa 10
Montreal 9
Boston 6
- D0PPELGANGER

Yup. Leafs are very hard to beat unless you take them to a shootout.

What changes it then? your tears?
- systemtool

major screw up.
- systemtool

The irony is that he said should have taken Matthews......but here he's saying major screw up not taking laine.


I'm extremely happy with that screw up.

The irony is that he said should have taken Matthews......but here he's saying major screw up not taking laine.


I'm extremely happy with that screw up.
- burn

The best part is neither play for the Sens. But Bobby Ryan and Pageau do.

The best part is neither play for the Sens. But Bobby Ryan and Pageau do.
- systemtool

You mean Claude Giroux 2.0?

I just pick random pages and the material is often plentiful.
- systemtool

When you withdrew from the Leafs thread I foolishly thought you may have forgotten the face of your father.

I see now that you have aimed with your eye, you have shot with your mind and you have killed with your heart.

You do great honour to your ka-tet, gunslinger.

Thankee-sai

Loser points in the Atlantic

leafs 15
Sabres 12
Wings 12
Panthers 11
Tampa 10
Ottawa 10
Montreal 9
Boston 6
- D0PPELGANGER

I have read people discussing the "Loser Point". basically Its more of a regulation Tie and they play for the extra point.

You get the point for ending the game tied not losing in OT/SO.

When you withdrew from the Leafs thread I foolishly thought you may have forgotten the face of your father.

I see now that you have aimed with your eye, you have shot with your mind and you have killed with your heart.

You do great honour to your ka-tet, gunslinger.

Thankee-sai
- BlueBallz

HIle Gunslinger

I was in Jamaica for two weeks. Just started posting recently. I leave for Cuba on Thursday.

Yup. Leafs are very hard to beat unless you take them to a shootout.
- walshyleafsfan

no shootouts in the playoffs.