Quoting: exo2769
I don't think I've ever claimed Murphy McCabe are elite. I've watched Duncan Keith paired with Seabrook. I know an elite pair when I see it. I've definitely said McCabe's playing great and worth a closer look. He gets a bad wrap because of the system Jeremy Coliton implemented. So people look at his last year stats and choose to ignore why somethings so drastically changed and just claim fluke without looking into any details what so ever. I've also said he's a 1st Pair Dman for the Hawks, BUT not for a cup winning team. With that said it's still a good sign to have a guy capable of those minutes while playing well so he'd be a better option for 2nd/3rd pair role than alot of what's out there. IMO. And I've also said the Hawks should retain on McCabe.
Murphy is playing better than Seth Jones and more physical. He's the Ole steady. I could see him fit well in Buffalo. A lot of high end talent than could use a physical stalwart that's reliable.
I like those two, yes, BUT I don't think I've ever called either of them elite or ever used Norris in the same sentence with maybe a technical exception to say that they'll never be Norris caliber.
Alright, fair enough.
As for the statement about all leaf fans thinking every prospect is Bedard. There are those fans sure. But not all of us.
At this stage of the Matthews era, they don't have any sure fire superstars. Knies very well could be a star but I am not 100% sold on him personally. I think he's an NHLer for sure but perhaps not a star. Beyond that, I think TO has a lot of prospect that can be developed into good NHLers, not stars but solid enough players and those guys are worth having. They do have some guys who certainly could be something special. Voit certainly looks like he could be something if he continues to develop. He's small but man is he skilled and the way he plays isn't going to make it harder for him in the NHL. Unlike Robertson who I think TO missed the prime opportunity to trade. Not that he isn't going to be a decent player, potentially a very good one but not in TO. He should be a guy who gets top PP time and more offensive opportunities where he can be the trigger man. Unfortunately in TO he's not going to find that fit. He's too small to be effective as the primary forechecker on lines 1 and 2 and he's just not equipped to be effective on the low event, defence first bottom 6 TO likes to employ.
The real gem in my opinion is Minten. Already higher end NHL defensive play from centre and his offence is starting to take off. I see him being like Kampf but much better offensively. More than anyone else, he's the guy I think will be a great addition.
Amirov will hopefully beat cancer and then who knows what he's going to be, but when he was healthy, I sure liked his game. Solid all over the ice, crazy good skater and decent enough size. Sees the ice so so well. Could really be a diamond in the rough down the road but cancer is a ****.