Pretty quick to call Matthews the second best player in the NHL for the next decade.
- ClarksonDavid

Not really. I'd say that no matter who was drafting him. He's legit - huge, can skate, has crazy vision, the defense of Kopitar but better offense. Yeah, I think that'll do.

Consider that I've also written many times that I think Kopitar might be the best all-round player in hockey, you have to think I'm going to be loco for a guy who plays like him but has better scoring and is going to my favorite team.

I can't think of a better thing than winning the lottery and drafting Mattews that has ever happened to the Leafs in the 30 years I've been a fan.

Honestly, I'm not entirely familiar with their full catalogue. So I'm being slightly unfair....

I would say Bowie is the greatest of all time
- AxlRose91

That isn't a bad opinion to hold. I do love Bowie. Honestly, I think most people who hate REM immediately think of Everybody Hurts and Shiny Happy People when they come to mind.

Do yourself a favor, order Murmur or Reckoning - their first two albums - or steal them or however you get your music, get them and give them a few spins. You'll respect REM way more.

Not really. I'd say that no matter who was drafting him. He's legit - huge, can skate, has crazy vision, the defense of Kopitar but better offense. Yeah, I think that'll do.

Consider that I've also written many times that I think Kopitar might be the best all-round player in hockey, you have to think I'm going to be loco for a guy who plays like him but has better scoring and is going to my favorite team.

I can't think of a better thing than winning the lottery and drafting Mattews that has ever happened to the Leafs in the 30 years I've been a fan.
- James_Tanner

That's probably his ceiling but I'm not calling it a sure bet.

I like the bands you guys are referencing but a greatest of all time discussion has to start with the Beatles and Stones.

Hawks are locked into an aging Keith/Seabrook combo and pay Toews and Kane way too much money and Crawford is only going to help you win if you're already awesome. I don't think they start to suck or anything, but I think their days as a legit contender are done for now.
- James_Tanner

I still think they contend for a couple more year. IMO

I remember when Alex Giroux was the best player in the AHL. 60 goal, 100 point seasons. It doesn't always translate to the big league.
- Vanillaface

Except that William Nylander already entered the NHL and put up a 54% CF rating on the worst team in the league. Also put up a p/60 at 5v5 even to JVR and Claude Girioux, so I don't think there is any chance that in this case it fails to translate to the big league.

Also, I just realized Jagr lead the NHL in p/60 so consider my mind blown.

Not really. I'd say that no matter who was drafting him. He's legit - huge, can skate, has crazy vision, the defense of Kopitar but better offense. Yeah, I think that'll do.

Consider that I've also written many times that I think Kopitar might be the best all-round player in hockey, you have to think I'm going to be loco for a guy who plays like him but has better scoring and is going to my favorite team.

I can't think of a better thing than winning the lottery and drafting Mattews that has ever happened to the Leafs in the 30 years I've been a fan.
- James_Tanner

Eichel is & will be better than Mathews.

Mario is #4 behind Gordie, Wayne & Bobby.
I just think that if the Leafs are able to land Stamkos for big money/long term, they'll regret it.
Too early for a Shanny-statue.

That said, I enjoy the thoughts you offer...good entertainment.

Eichel is & will be better than Mathews.

Mario is #4 behind Gordie, Wayne & Bobby.
I just think that if the Leafs are able to land Stamkos for big money/long term, they'll regret it.
Too early for a Shanny-statue.

That said, I enjoy the thoughts you offer...good entertainment.
- haymac

Oh

I like the bands you guys are referencing but a greatest of all time discussion has to start with the Beatles and Stones.
- Zezel

I choose to disagree. The Beatles and the Stones spent years unopposed with that tile to the point where it became ridiculous. Back when there were like 30 music critics on the earth and they were all white, old and into classic rock, sure no debate.

But with the amount of music out there, and the fact that I can't even barely stand to hear either of those bands on the radio, let alone ever actually put them on on purpose, I can't consider them the best of all time.

The Beatles and Stones are both amazing bands. They have some of the best songs and records of all time. But I don't really see how either are all that much better or interesting than R.E.M, Radiohead, the Pixies, New Order or the Cure.

Except that William Nylander already entered the NHL and put up a 54% CF rating on the worst team in the league. Also put up a p/60 at 5v5 even to JVR and Claude Girioux, so I don't think there is any chance that in this case it fails to translate to the big league.

Also, I just realized Jagr lead the NHL in p/60 so consider my mind blown.
- James_Tanner

I used to hate Jagr, now his body of work is among the most towering acheivements in any sport.

I choose to disagree. The Beatles and the Stones spent years unopposed with that tile to the point where it became ridiculous. Back when there were like 30 music critics on the earth and they were all white, old and into classic rock, sure no debate.

But with the amount of music out there, and the fact that I can't even barely stand to hear either of those bands on the radio, let alone ever actually put them on on purpose, I can't consider them the best of all time.

The Beatles and Stones are both amazing bands. They have some of the best songs and records of all time. But I don't really see how either are all that much better or interesting than R.E.M, Radiohead, the Pixies, New Order or the Cure.
- James_Tanner

Did you wear makeup and kick ass boots in High School?

Eichel is & will be better than Mathews.

Mario is #4 behind Gordie, Wayne & Bobby.
I just think that if the Leafs are able to land Stamkos for big money/long term, they'll regret it.
Too early for a Shanny-statue.

That said, I enjoy the thoughts you offer...good entertainment.
- haymac

I would say there is a zero percent chance - hell it's not impossible, let's say 2% chance that Eichel is better than Matthews. I think there are zero credible people who have or would say such a thing.

The odds of Eichel being better are roughly the same as Mattews being a bust.

I don't see how anyone can rank anybody ahead of Mario. IN the dead puck era, after overcoming cancer and not playing for 3 years, he came back at Christmas and missed the scoring title by just a few points.

That is the single greatest accomplishment in NHL history in my opinion. Even post lockout at 40 he was nearly a PPG. No one is better than Mario. No one.

You're probably right about the statue. I appreciate you reading and responding, thanks.

Did you wear makeup and kick ass boots in High School?
- Garnie

Nope. I dressed the exact same as I do today : band tshirts, jeans, aviator sunglasses, plaid shirts and jean jackets. I guess I should have evolved some, but nope.

Nope. I dressed the exact same as I do today : band tshirts, jeans, aviator sunglasses, plaid shirts and jean jackets. I guess I should have evolved some, but nope.
- James_Tanner

Quackup is spot on as far as Vatanen and Linholm. Arbitration rights have everything to do with signing order. I also agree that Fowler will be moved for a forward. I disagree when it comes to Andersen. I believe he is the better goaltender and the Ducks do not want to be forced to make that decision at this point. Gibson has proven he can be a good athletic goalie when he stays healthy but Freddie is a great positional goalie now and will be for the future. I believe the Ducks share this view.

Love Leaf summer talk. Just a wonderful mix of magical thinking sprinkled with fairy dust and triumphal celebration. But, this year we know for certain is different. We have Burke who put together a Stanley Cup winner in Anaheim and Kessel is a world class talent. Giving up two firsts for Kessel is a bargain. Picks don't need to be lottery protected because we are going to be a Cup contender.

Leafs have a better prospect pool than anybody. Who wants McDavid when you can have Matthews. The Winnipeg group is overrated and nobody needs so much balance between highly rated forward and defence prospects. And, we won't talk about Phoenix because...well they are Phoenix.

We are so glad we are going to the playoffs and the Stanley Cup parade will be better than Pittsburgh that gave far too much credit to dough boy. He could skate and score but just not a winner.

I am sure the Leafs will not get knocked out of the playoffs before Christmas again this year.
- spatso

You should get out and socialize a little more often, seems you're hung up on the Leafs.

The rebuild in Toronto is over if they add Stamkos.

Stamkos, Kadri, Matthews down the middle. Gardiner and Reilly on D, plus whoever they get for JVR. And Nylander, Marner, Kapenan, Brown, Komarov on the wings.

Just sign Reimer and cake-walk to the biggest single season point increase in NHL history.
- James_Tanner

We do have some nice prospects, the best I have seen since being a Leaf fan and thats been a long time. Everyone points out we need a goalie and better D but I also very concerned with size, especially on the wings.

Other teams are going to target the Nylanders etc (our speedy hobbits). Who do we have to protect these smallish kids? We need some size and toughness or were in trouble.

Most TB posters here has allready accepted the fact that Stamkos are as good as gone. I think his relation with Marty could be a factor too.

James, do you think theres a deal to be made around Domingue and a young forward (Perlini, Dvorak) for Corey Crawford? Domingues ceiling is probably not much higher then CC and Coyotes needs to get better, fast.

I choose to disagree. The Beatles and the Stones spent years unopposed with that tile to the point where it became ridiculous. Back when there were like 30 music critics on the earth and they were all white, old and into classic rock, sure no debate.

But with the amount of music out there, and the fact that I can't even barely stand to hear either of those bands on the radio, let alone ever actually put them on on purpose, I can't consider them the best of all time.

The Beatles and Stones are both amazing bands. They have some of the best songs and records of all time. But I don't really see how either are all that much better or interesting than R.E.M, Radiohead, the Pixies, New Order or the Cure.
- James_Tanner

Well music is like food, it's what tastes good to your ears. But I'm sure the bands you mention would be the first to say they wouldn't even exist without the Beatles. The classic rock and pop standards may be over familiar at this point, but they are the originators.

And c'mon, the New Order songbook standing up against the Beatles?

Also The Cure is one of my favourite bands, but most of the stuff after Kiss Me is pretty embarrassing self-parody.

Happy Father's Day to all..miss mine immensely. Being a young 63, I have to go with Pink Floyd.

Pretty quick to call Matthews the second best player in the NHL for the next decade.
- ClarksonDavid

I know, what the hell makes him think McDavid is better...

Nope. I dressed the exact same as I do today : band tshirts, jeans, aviator sunglasses, plaid shirts and jean jackets. I guess I should have evolved some, but nope.
- James_Tanner

sounds solid to me

We do have some nice prospects, the best I have seen since being a Leaf fan and thats been a long time. Everyone points out we need a goalie and better D but I also very concerned with size, especially on the wings.

Other teams are going to target the Nylanders etc (our speedy hobbits). Who do we have to protect these smallish kids? We need some size and toughness or were in trouble.
- sparky

Oh, size and toughness... like the pens had this season..

I would say there is a zero percent chance - hell it's not impossible, let's say 2% chance that Eichel is better than Matthews. I think there are zero credible people who have or would say such a thing.

The odds of Eichel being better are roughly the same as Mattews being a bust.

I don't see how anyone can rank anybody ahead of Mario. IN the dead puck era, after overcoming cancer and not playing for 3 years, he came back at Christmas and missed the scoring title by just a few points.

That is the single greatest accomplishment in NHL history in my opinion. Even post lockout at 40 he was nearly a PPG. No one is better than Mario. No one.

You're probably right about the statue. I appreciate you reading and responding, thanks.
- James_Tanner

I agree with Mario being there for goat. Biggest issues for him were the cancer and retirement and hatred of officiating during his time in the league really hurt his career numbers.

His best years compare very favorably with Gretzky and probably superior.

Eichel is & will be better than Mathews.

Mario is #4 behind Gordie, Wayne & Bobby.
I just think that if the Leafs are able to land Stamkos for big money/long term, they'll regret it.
Too early for a Shanny-statue.

That said, I enjoy the thoughts you offer...good entertainment.
- haymac

Don't know much about Eichel or Mathews, do you?