Matthews or BUST

[Kin]

That makes the assumption that players left purely for salary reasons, and that the team signing them made right salary decision.  I don't share that opinion.

It actually makes neither assumption. It can just be that they didn't like the atmosphere in New Jersey and that nickle and diming rookies was just an element of it. Likewise, regardless of what you think about Minnesota's eventual decision to sign Parise and how it worked out(or Anaheim and Niedermayer but that can't really be called a bad signing) there's no denying they wanted to retain him.

 

[Bates]

Neither of those players left because of how they were treated in their ELC so they don't really go with your argument.  Obviously Niedermayer was a massive loss but I wouldn't want my GM ever giving Parise that contract.

That makes the assumption that players left purely for salary reasons, and that the team signing them made right salary decision.  I don't share that opinion.

It actually makes neither assumption. It can just be that they didn't like the atmosphere in New Jersey and that nickle and diming rookies was just an element of it. Likewise, regardless of what you think about Minnesota's eventual decision to sign Parise and how it worked out(or Anaheim and Niedermayer but that can't really be called a bad signing) there's no denying they wanted to retain him.

 

[Kin]

Neither of those players left because of how they were treated in their ELC so they don't really go with your argument.

I didn't claim they did. I'm making a broader point about Lamoriello's policies and the effect it can have on players and their desire to be a part of his teams. Again, you could dismiss that if Lamoriello had a really good record of hanging onto the players he wanted to keep but he has exactly the opposite of that.

 

[Highlander]

Lou is gone in what a year and half, then Dubas takes the reigns and Lou can play with his grandson in the tomato patch. Sorry on that one!

 

[TBLeafer]

Matthews, Matthews, Matthews, Matthews  annnnnd Matthews!  Oh and some Rielly.

[youtube]rEVQPbbkm80[/youtube]

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Michael Traikos with a good one-on-one interview with Matthews:

http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/nhl/calder-hopes-rookie-rivalries-and-torontos-media-circus-auston-matthews-gears-up-for-life-in-the-nhl

Talks about his rivalry with Laine, playing with Nylander and Marner, wanting to win the Calder, and quitting the team if he doesn't get the number 34 (ok I made that last one up but he does say it's a very special number for him):

On jersey number: Wants No. 34

Nazem Kadri was forced to switch from 91 to 43 and William Nylander switched from 62 to 39. But Matthews, who is wearing No. 34 with Team North America, hopes that won?t change when he?s a Leaf ? especially with James Reimer no longer on the team.

?I?m not too worried about the number situation,? he said. ?No one?s wearing it now, I think, so I?m not too worried. That will kind of take care of itself. When (his dad) was playing baseball and basketball, he was always wearing 34, so it?s special. I?ve always worn it.?

 

[ZBBM]

Michael Traikos with a good one-on-one interview with Matthews:

http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/nhl/calder-hopes-rookie-rivalries-and-torontos-media-circus-auston-matthews-gears-up-for-life-in-the-nhl

Talks about his rivalry with Laine, playing with Nylander and Marner, wanting to win the Calder, and quitting the team if he doesn't get the number 34 (ok I made that last one up but he does say it's a very special number for him):

On jersey number: Wants No. 34

Nazem Kadri was forced to switch from 91 to 43 and William Nylander switched from 62 to 39. But Matthews, who is wearing No. 34 with Team North America, hopes that won?t change when he?s a Leaf ? especially with James Reimer no longer on the team.

?I?m not too worried about the number situation,? he said. ?No one?s wearing it now, I think, so I?m not too worried. That will kind of take care of itself. When (his dad) was playing baseball and basketball, he was always wearing 34, so it?s special. I?ve always worn it.?

OK, I hate Lou Lamoriello.  G/d it, let Nylander wear 62 already.  39 is a freaking Lonny Bohonos number and no good can ever come of it.

 

[ZBBM]

And, furthermore, one of the principal reasons our team sucks is because of all the players wearing numbers in the 40s.  Yuck-a-doo.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

A slight correction to that article, 62 isn't really Nylander's preferred number, that's just what he was assigned with the Marlies. He's worn 21 internationally (which JVR has of course), and 88 with Modo.

 

[herman]

They need to just incentivize getting their preferred number. If the team (not individual) hits certain thresholds (points by the break, for example), everyone who wants to change their number (if available) and/or grow a beard for the rest of the season can do so. Do this in the years that matter.

Merchandising would love it.

 

[bustaheims]

A slight correction to that article, 62 isn't really Nylander's preferred number, that's just what he was assigned with the Marlies. He's worn 21 internationally (which JVR has of course), and 88 with Modo.

And, to be honest, I'm quite happy to not see him wear 62 - its the type of number typically associated with minor leaguers and fill-ins.

As for 39 being "freaking Lonny Bohonos number" - which doesn't make any sense, since Bohonos never wore 39 as a Leaf, he wore 16 - some pretty good players have worn it around the league, including Gilmour before he became a Leaf. It is more of a goalie number, though, but, so are most numbers in the 30s.

 

[Kin]

I don't see why these pieces of human garbage should get to wear numbers at all. They can make their own jerseys out of duct tape and spit until they score a few hundred goals. Then, if they're willing to pay the team appropriate taxes and grant the rights of Prima Nocte, we can talk about them wearing a jersey that's only ever stood for unfettered excellence.

 

[Frank E]

A slight correction to that article, 62 isn't really Nylander's preferred number, that's just what he was assigned with the Marlies. He's worn 21 internationally (which JVR has of course), and 88 with Modo.

And, to be honest, I'm quite happy to not see him wear 62 - its the type of number typically associated with minor leaguers and fill-ins.

As for 39 being "freaking Lonny Bohonos number" - which doesn't make any sense, since Bohonos never wore 39 as a Leaf, he wore 16 - some pretty good players have worn it around the league, including Gilmour before he became a Leaf. It is more of a goalie number, though, but, so are most numbers in the 30s.

Travis MF'n Green.

 

[ZBBM]

A slight correction to that article, 62 isn't really Nylander's preferred number, that's just what he was assigned with the Marlies. He's worn 21 internationally (which JVR has of course), and 88 with Modo.

And, to be honest, I'm quite happy to not see him wear 62 - its the type of number typically associated with minor leaguers and fill-ins.

As for 39 being "freaking Lonny Bohonos number" - which doesn't make any sense, since Bohonos never wore 39 as a Leaf, he wore 16 - some pretty good players have worn it around the league, including Gilmour before he became a Leaf. It is more of a goalie number, though, but, so are most numbers in the 30s.

Sorry, I was thinking of Farkas.  But the general point, the bohonosianness of such numbers, stands.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

The number really should have been retired/banned.

 

[cabber24]

Michael Traikos with a good one-on-one interview with Matthews:

http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/nhl/calder-hopes-rookie-rivalries-and-torontos-media-circus-auston-matthews-gears-up-for-life-in-the-nhl

Talks about his rivalry with Laine, playing with Nylander and Marner, wanting to win the Calder, and quitting the team if he doesn't get the number 34 (ok I made that last one up but he does say it's a very special number for him):

On jersey number: Wants No. 34

Nazem Kadri was forced to switch from 91 to 43 and William Nylander switched from 62 to 39. But Matthews, who is wearing No. 34 with Team North America, hopes that won?t change when he?s a Leaf ? especially with James Reimer no longer on the team.

?I?m not too worried about the number situation,? he said. ?No one?s wearing it now, I think, so I?m not too worried. That will kind of take care of itself. When (his dad) was playing baseball and basketball, he was always wearing 34, so it?s special. I?ve always worn it.?

OK, I hate Lou Lamoriello.  G/d it, let Nylander wear 62 already.  39 is a freaking Lonny Bohonos number and no good can ever come of it.

Why wouldn't players get to choose a number if it was available? It should also be understood skill and reputation get what ever number they want if someone inferior is using it.

 

[Bullfrog]

A slight correction to that article, 62 isn't really Nylander's preferred number, that's just what he was assigned with the Marlies. He's worn 21 internationally (which JVR has of course), and 88 with Modo.

And, to be honest, I'm quite happy to not see him wear 62 - its the type of number typically associated with minor leaguers and fill-ins.

As for 39 being "freaking Lonny Bohonos number" - which doesn't make any sense, since Bohonos never wore 39 as a Leaf, he wore 16 - some pretty good players have worn it around the league, including Gilmour before he became a Leaf. It is more of a goalie number, though, but, so are most numbers in the 30s.

That's where I disagree with you. I don't think it's at all relevant if they're associated with certain player types. If it was his preferred number and it was available (and not retired) then let him have it.

I'm surprised Lou doesn't require them to have buzzcuts.

 

[Kin]

Why wouldn't players get to choose a number if it was available?

Look, we have to die on a hill. Why not a small one?

 

[bustaheims]

I'm surprised Lou doesn't require them to have buzzcuts.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'm surprised Lou doesn't require them to have buzzcuts.

Reality really isn't that far off. Both Grabner and Martin talked about having to cut their usual long-flowing hair.