I highly doubt most players practice with their teams in a contract dispute.

You make up a lot of poop so I really don’t take your word for it.

It wouldn’t be wise to practice with the team you are in a negotiation with. At all
- Santo_44

Ristolainen. I make up poop. Okay. You eat poop. Neither have proof so I guess we're even.

I highly doubt most players practice with their teams in a contract dispute.

You make up a lot of poop so I really don’t take your word for it.

It wouldn’t be wise to practice with the team you are in a negotiation with. At all
- Santo_44

The problem is that Willie practiced with kids, but told the reporters he was in elite shape - and everyone believed him.

The problem is that Willie practiced with kids, but told the reporters he was in elite shape - and everyone believed him.
- Aerial Screw

Exactly. Of course it's bad for a negotiation if your WN. They would have seen right away how useless he was.

Why should Willie have watched Leaf games in the middle of the night from Sweden? I bet every fan who is all upset about that, when they're not at work they call in to get updates all day.

Exactly. Of course it's bad for a negotiation if your WN. They would have seen right away how useless he was.
- aminnes

Practices hard.
Stays as near to game shape as possible
Catches an edge during a full speed drill.
Blow out knee.

Ristolainen. I make up poop. Okay. You eat poop. Neither have proof so I guess we're even.
- aminnes

Dude, you just said other guys stay with the team and practice.

I called you out and now you say you have no proof. You’ve been called out a couple times so just stop making poop up.

Why should Willie have watched Leaf games in the middle of the night from Sweden? I bet every fan who is all upset about that, when they're not at work they call in to get updates all day.
- Zezel

The problem is; Willie actually said he only watched a few Leafs game during those months - to the best of my knowledge they can DVR the games in Sweden. That is, if they're interested

The problem is; Willie actually said he only watched a few Leafs game during those months - to the best of my knowledge they can DVR the games in Sweden. That is, if they're interested
- Aerial Screw

How is that a problem? He's not a fanboy. Why does he need to watch games that already happened, who cares? That's such an overwrought tweaker fan narrative.

How is that a problem? He's not a fanboy. Why does he need to watch games that already happened, who cares? That's such an overwrought tweaker fan narrative.
- Zezel

Should be obvious - a 19 y/o elite player from Sweden playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. If that's not interesting enough to invest 10 hours a week watching, he's for sure a total jerk!

That begs the question though. Why was he even in Sweden? Other guys stay with the team and practise, you know, stay in shape. Why didn't he do that. He said he wanted a long term contract, did he mean with the Leafs our just in general?
- aminnes

Because 1- very, very few players ever stay with the team during said negotiations, and 2- he lives in Sweden. He can workout with teams/at places he knows.

Because 1- very, very few players ever stay with the team during said negotiations, and 2- he lives in Sweden. He can workout with teams/at places he knows.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Why should Willie have watched Leaf games in the middle of the night from Sweden? I bet every fan who is all upset about that, when they're not at work they call in to get updates all day.
- Zezel

Even I DVR games and watch them at a different time....isn't it a bit weird that he wouldn't want to do the same?

Even I DVR games and watch them at a different time....isn't it a bit weird that he wouldn't want to do the same?
- Barb34

We are presuming he didn't watch the games.

He did.

It is a negotiating tactic to show disinterest.

We are presuming he didn't watch the games.

He did.

It is a negotiating tactic to show disinterest.
- Aetherial

Guess you didn't watch that presser - all you have to do is watch his face and listen to his voice when he answer that Q - 100% sure he did not!

Even I DVR games and watch them at a different time....isn't it a bit weird that he wouldn't want to do the same?
- Barb34

You're a fan though, he works there.

You're a fan though, he works there.
- Zezel

True dat!

I guess if I was negotiating and not playing, I could see being a little pissed and pretending not to give a fack, especially at 20.

You're a fan though, he works there.
- Zezel

At the time when he didn't bother to watch the Leafs games, I'd say he wasn't working there - nor was he a fan...

Schwartz is playing fantastic hockey.

Screwed me during the regular season in my fantasy league and all he does is score in the playoffs. Bastard!

At the time when he didn't bother to watch the Leafs games, I'd say he wasn't working there - nor was he a fan...
- Aerial Screw

A lot of players don't watch games in their free time. Hell, I'd even go as far to say that most don't.

They eat, sleep, and love hockey. They need a break from it.

A lot of players don't watch games in their free time. Hell, I'd even go as far to say that most don't.

They eat, sleep, and love hockey. They need a break from it.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Thank god no other players in Willie's situation would view that period of time as 'free time'...

You're a fan though, he works there.
- Zezel

And it's part of his job.

And it's part of his job.
- JohnFergusonJr

He's not required to watch games on tv. He's not a video coach.

He's not required to watch games on tv. He's not a video coach.
- Zezel

A lot of players don't watch games in their free time. Hell, I'd even go as far to say that most don't.

They eat, sleep, and love hockey. They need a break from it.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Babcock specifically has said he advises players to do other stuff away from the rink. As if they need to be watching broadcasts when they're not playing.

Babcock specifically has said he advises players to do other stuff away from the rink. As if they need to be watching broadcasts when they're not playing.
- Zezel

I'm sure he specifically talked about Willie's 6 months 'holiday'