- Arctic_AARDVARK

- Arctic_AARDVARK

Remember when you used that on me and that was awes....oh, nevermind.

11 points in his last 11 nhl games. He isn't have a great playoffs by any means but he's a teenager in the AHL and still doing OK. I think the concussion is long behind him now.
- ClarksonDavid

I see a lot more parimeter play from him now. He's cut out a lot of the cutesy play (which I think is good) but he does seem to wilt a bit when things get nasty. Everything has come easy for him everywhere he's been. Now it's big boy time. Maybe he needs to be humbled a bit.

He's going to get his points regardless. He's too good not to but he's gotta find that next gear.

Thankfully..... It no longer looks like he's going to have to be "the guy". He'll get eaten alive if he's the focul point of any team.

I see a lot of Val Bure in him.

- the_eye

(frank). That guy is still doing those action movies. He's gonna overdose on Grecian 5.

(frank). That guy is still doing those action movies. He's gonna overdose on Grecian 5.
- weirdoh

Pretty sure it's the spray on hair.

I see a lot more parimeter play from him now. He's cut out a lot of the cutesy play (which I think is good) but he does seem to wilt a bit when things get nasty. Everything has come easy for him everywhere he's been. Now it's big boy time. Maybe he needs to be humbled a bit.

He's going to get his points regardless. He's too good not to but he's gotta find that next gear.

Thankfully..... It no longer looks like he's going to have to be "the guy". He'll get eaten alive if he's the focul point of any team.

I see a lot of Val Bure in him.
- Seanook

Draft Matthews to be the big game guy drawing top d pairings and you can even put Marner on the line with him. Let Nylander play 2nd line against 2nd d pairings and rack up the points if that's what you're worried about. It'd be like having Kessel on your second line (different players obviously but similar in the way that they are point producers but not overly aggressive)

Edit: also I disagree with him being eaten alive I think youre selling him short. Think he's more of a Nick Backstrom type which I'm more than happy with.

(frank). That guy is still doing those action movies. He's gonna overdose on Grecian 5.
- weirdoh

Watched a short doc on the Aikido or whatever it is he's a black belt in not long ago. I'm no expert martial artist but I have to agree with the consensus. Total bs form of self defence.

He sure makes it look good though

Draft Matthews to be the big game guy drawing top d pairings and you can even put Marner on the line with him. Let Nylander play 2nd line against 2nd d pairings and rack up the points if that's what you're worried about. It'd be like having Kessel on your second line (different players obviously but similar in the way that they are point producers but not overly aggressive)

Edit: also I disagree with him being eaten alive I think youre selling him short. Think he's more of a Nick Backstrom type which I'm more than happy with.
- HealthyScratch6

I hope your right about the Backstrom comparison. I'm in no way closing the book on my opinion of him. Would love him to prove me wrong. Lord knows he has the skill to do it. He pissed me off today though. I hope he gets roasted by Keefer, comes back and shows us something. He's definitely capable.

I just read from a reliable source that Laine is approaching "generational" talent level.

I hope your right about the Backstrom comparison. I'm in no way closing the book on my opinion of him. Would love him to prove me wrong. Lord knows he has the skill to do it. He pissed me off today though. I hope he gets roasted by Keefer, comes back and shows us something. He's definitely capable.
- Seanook

Played for Sheldon in Pembroke and I guarantee he did. I seen a guy get a garbage can kicked at his head for using one of his new game sticks in practice.

I just read from a reliable source that Laine is approaching "generational" talent level.
- ErectileReptile

Saw that two or three times today. Scary to pass on him but Matthews has all around gamer written all over him.

Anyone remember reading the comments Laine made about not being intersted in playing centre because he wasn't really interested in playing a two way game? Can't remeber his exact words but it was a bit of a red flag. Who knows though. The opposition might never touch the puck when he's on the ice. I remeber my Dad hating on Lemieux because of the same attitude. He never did really have to play two ways..... He just took over the game.

I would not pass over Matthews to take Laine.

Saw that two or three times today. Scary to pass on him but Matthews has all around gamer written all over him.

Anyone remember reading the comments Laine made about not being intersted in playing centre because he wasn't really interested in playing a two way game? Can't remeber his exact words but it was a bit of a red flag. Who knows though. The opposition might never touch the puck when he's on the ice. I remeber my Dad hating on Lemieux because of the same attitude. He never did really have to play two ways..... He just took over the game.
- Seanook

To be honest think about ovechkin. Great player but in that last game against the penguins they wasted more of their power plays just trying to feed him on the power play. Everyone knew what was happening and they kept going to it. Never scored till he went off and they switched it up a little. Point being is that type of player doesn't win for you in the playoffs. It's the two way centers like toews Bergeron Kopitar.

Played for Sheldon in Pembroke and I guarantee he did. I seen a guy get a garbage can kicked at his head for using one of his new game sticks in practice.
- HealthyScratch6

I've heard similar stories. Fantastic. Stands up for them publicly but will tear you a new one behind closed doors.

Best coach I ever had scared the poop outta me. If he had to defend you outside the room. You were in trouble inside.

Smoak and Tulo with back to back jacks to tie the game in the 9th.

To be honest think about ovechkin. Great player but in that last game against the penguins they wasted more of their power plays just trying to feed him on the power play. Everyone knew what was happening and they kept going to it. Never scored till he went off and they switched it up a little. Point being is that type of player doesn't win for you in the playoffs. It's the two way centers like toews Bergeron Kopitar.
- HealthyScratch6

100%

Yzerman was never gonna win anything until he changed his game and quit looking at his stat sheet.

Hull only won when he realized his role.

Gretzky never won after leaving his supporting cast. Not saying he couldn't have but who knows. Messier sure did.

Datsyuk (shame he's hanging em up) is just as fun to watch as any goal scoring champ and I think the wings will be at the bottom of the league without him.

Then again, I also read that Stamkos was going to sign in either Montreal or Buffalo. Definitely not Toronto though.

I would not pass over Matthews to take Laine.
- ErectileReptile

Me neither. Mathews is also have a pretty great tournament all things considered really.. both kids are doing very well at such a young age at that tournament. Laine has more points but he's also got to play with Barkov and his skating is not so pretty. Mathews looks very much more complete but Laine is very dynamic in the offensive zone

100%

Yzerman was never gonna win anything until he changed his game and quit looking at his stat sheet.

Hull only won when he realized his role.

Gretzky never won after leaving his supporting cast. Not saying he couldn't have but who knows. Messier sure did.

Datsyuk (shame he's hanging em up) is just as fun to watch as any goal scoring champ and I think the wings will be at the bottom of the league without him.
- Seanook

It is a shame. One of the most exciting players to play the game. An old roommate of mine was a big wings fan so I watched all their games for a couple years and he would do something amazing every game that you would of haD to had played the game to really appreciate how difficult the things he was making look easy really were.

Me neither. Mathews is also have a pretty great tournament all things considered really.. both kids are doing very well at such a young age at that tournament. Laine has more points but he's also got to play with Barkov and his skating is not so pretty. Mathews looks very much more complete but Laine is very dynamic in the offensive zone
- ClarksonDavid

Laine would be the type of player you draft after you already have a Matthews in the system. The Leafs do have that Marner kid though and he had an okay year. So there's that.

Me neither. Mathews is also have a pretty great tournament all things considered really.. both kids are doing very well at such a young age at that tournament. Laine has more points but he's also got to play with Barkov and his skating is not so pretty. Mathews looks very much more complete but Laine is very dynamic in the offensive zone
- ClarksonDavid

I celebrated harder when Columbus card was pulled and I knew the leads had a top 2 pick than I did when they got the 1st overall. I just wanted one of the 2 and I was happy. Was leaning towards Laine before the draft but now that I think about having an elite 2 way center I prefer to get Matthews.

Remember when you used that on me and that was awes....oh, nevermind.
- weirdoh

i works in a lot of scenarios..

I celebrated harder when Columbus card was pulled and I knew the leads had a top 2 pick than I did when they got the 1st overall. I just wanted one of the 2 and I was happy. Was leaning towards Laine before the draft but now that I think about having an elite 2 way center I prefer to get Matthews.
- HealthyScratch6

Mathews would be great. I get really excited about the idea of Mathews, also seems like the kind of kid Babcock would perfer. Laine kinda comes off as a douche to me to. No language barrier either, should fit in with the young core well. When they signed Zaitsev something they mentioned was how his English was good too so there's that, not that it's a big deal.

Laine certainly doesn't suffer from a confidence problem. He was very humble in his draft lottery interview.

Mathews would be great. I get really excited about the idea of Mathews, also seems like the kind of kid Babcock would perfer. Laine kinda comes off as a douche to me to. No language barrier either, should fit in with the young core well. When they signed Zaitsev something they mentioned was how his English was good too so there's that, not that it's a big deal.
- ClarksonDavid

Honestly I don't see any issues with Laine. I know he's ugly as f (rank) and is not overly charismatic due to language barrier but on the ice the guy is unreal. From just watching highlights with no other insight I take him all day over matthews but when you take into account position and defensive play I'm convinced Matthews is the guy.