I even remember the tsn boys discussing Willie getting overuled. As I said I'm not gonna look for the quote, I wouldn't know how to post the link anyways
- Bieksa#3

This is very suspect.

Do you have a source to this information that Benning has had to force WD into putting youth into the line up? I haven't seen this info available to the rest of us.
- boonerbuck

As far as I can remember it was an off hand remark about how having an 18 year old on the roster would reflect on the team's depth.

But even if he did say it explicitly, I don't see what the fuss is. I can understand a career minor league coach wanting to play it safe in his first crack at the NHL. As long as he learns from them, and he seems to, then I can live with some mistakes. It's no different than when you're talking about a rookie.

This is a coach who publically stated he didn't want horvat on the team last yr. Also eluded to not wanting 2 19 yr olds on the team this yr. Just cause benning has more balls then Gillis to put his coach in his place, doesn't make Willie better then AV
- Bieksa#3

Now we're getting down to eluding? that's Nucker level.

Stewart having his first regular seaso fight. The Utica guy says lots of haymakers

As far as I can remember it was an off hand remark about how having an 18 year old on the roster would reflect on the team's depth.

But even if he did say it explicitly, I don't see what the fuss is. I can understand a career minor league coach wanting to play it safe in his first crack at the NHL. As long as he learns from them, and he seems to, then I can live with some mistakes. It's no different than when you're talking about a rookie.
- CubanBuffet

That was the quote indeed.

He never said he didnt want Horvat in the line up. This town would explode. We at least would have heard about it for a long time

McDavid greatest prospect in a generation until he put on an Oiler jersey.

McDavid greatest prospect in a generation until he put on an Oiler jersey.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Friends of ours went to the Grand Ole Opry and are taking in the game tonight.

McDavid greatest prospect in a generation until he put on an Oiler jersey.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Edmonton city council has already given him the right to Prima Nocta.

Edmonton city council has already given him the right to Prima Nocta.
- CubanBuffet

It's getting to the point that if he doesn't win the scoring race, then he's a bust.

It's getting to the point that if he doesn't win the scoring race, then he's a bust.
- Bieksa#3

If he's not leading it 20 games in they will lynch him

If he's not leading it 20 games in they will lynch him
- A_SteamingLombardi

Exactly. Kind of feel sorry for the kid.

Exactly. Kind of feel sorry for the kid.
- Bieksa#3

Plus he has Messier stalking him.

I even remember the tsn boys discussing Willie getting overuled. As I said I'm not gonna look for the quote, I wouldn't know how to post the link anyways
- Bieksa#3

He’s come along way considering coach Willie Desjardins didn’t think Horvat had a snowball’s chance in hell of making the team while conferring with GM Jim Benning just a few months ago.

“Early in the year, Jim talked about him coming in, and I just didn’t see a 19-year-old coming in and playing if we were going to try and make a run,” Desjardins said. “And until he proved it to me, I just didn’t believe it. We got in a situation where we got down guys, and he was playing good, and all of a sudden, there’s the one game in Vancouver where I had him play against Anze Kopitar’s line. He proved that he could battle.”

Plus he has Messier stalking him.
- A_SteamingLombardi

That would be legitimately scary.

That Babcock is looking like a great hire.

Is there anything finer than an early evening wine/jazz buzz and watching the Leafs getting pounded?

That would be legitimately scary.
- CubanBuffet

He's a creep, he's a weirdo, what the hell is he doing here, he don't belong here.

He’s come along way considering coach Willie Desjardins didn’t think Horvat had a snowball’s chance in hell of making the team while conferring with GM Jim Benning just a few months ago.

“Early in the year, Jim talked about him coming in, and I just didn’t see a 19-year-old coming in and playing if we were going to try and make a run,” Desjardins said. “And until he proved it to me, I just didn’t believe it. We got in a situation where we got down guys, and he was playing good, and all of a sudden, there’s the one game in Vancouver where I had him play against Anze Kopitar’s line. He proved that he could battle.”
- belcherbd

Nice find...to me sounds like Horvat just had to prove himself, and WD had an open mind. Not that he doesn't believe youth shouldn't be playing.

Nuckers boy Eller just scored

That Babcock is looking like a great hire.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Edmonton city council has already given him the right to Prima Nocta.
- CubanBuffet

Edmonton girls

Is there anything finer than an early evening wine/jazz buzz and watching the Leafs getting pounded?
- docmorgan

Add in a hummer and it would be a great evening.

Nice find...to me sounds like Horvat just had to prove himself, and WD had an open mind. Not that he doesn't believe youth shouldn't be playing.
- Makita

The article I pulled this from was from Botchford who was the one insinuating that wd didn't want him. While I'm sure the wording in incorrect, I think the sentiment that WD didn't think he was ready is correct.

Who knows why he got a chance but it wouldn't be too ridiculous to suggest that Benning pulled rank.

Nuckers boy Eller just scored
- VANTEL

Mtl looks good,but Boston has looked bad as well so far in their first two games.

That Babcock is looking like a great hire.
- A_SteamingLombardi

To be fair, he's not working with much. Didn't see any of last game, but they took it to habs in game 1. The biggest question with them is will they be patient