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I suppose most people wouldn't say "this experience made me a better hockey player" after his learning curve has been delayed.
 
That's weird.

I would absolutely expect some kid who was sent down to the AHL to, upon getting recalled, loudly yell that it was a "complete waste of time", "I learned nothing there", and "I can't believe they kept me down there for no reason at all, the idiots!".
 
And yes, his NHL learning curve has been delayed. Because the AHL isn't this magical place that takes inconsistent, rookies and turns them into consistent NHLers.

Kadri's going to have long stretches in the NHL where he doesn't do much. That's just reality. And no amount of AHL games will change that.
 
Spezza, like Getzlaf, Giguere, Perry, Penner ... basically said the AHL experience was the best thing for his development looking back.

And you're saying no, the AHL delayed his learning curve, it's just he doesn't even know that.

Interesting.
 
zeke said:
That's weird.

I would absolutely expect some kid who was sent down to the AHL to, upon getting recalled, loudly yell that it was a "complete waste of time", "I learned nothing there", and "I can't believe they kept me down there for no reason at all, the idiots!".
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This is not a kid. This is a 30-some year old veteran hockey player, who's not even playing for the same coach or same GM who sent him down.

He could easily come out and say "That was a stupid thing. It wasn't necessary. I was ready for the NHL." You think Clouston is gonna care? You think Murray is gonna care?

At the end of the day, you believe what you want to believe. I just find it interesting you choose to believe that players, ex-players, GMs and coaches are all lying when they have no reason to lie to the media and fans about.
 
number17 said:
He could easily come out and say "That was a stupid thing. It wasn't necessary. .
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1) You really think that he would ever say that?
2) Are you really trying to say that no player has thought he got a raw deal by being kept in the AHL?

this is a tremendously weak argument you are trying to make here.
 
Why the hell not zeke? Players rip former coaches and former GM all the times! The only weak argument here is the one that's against what all NHL players, coaches and GMs are saying.
 
Who cares what NHL coaches, and GM's are saying?

I care about what they're doing...and what they're doing is playing young players who are good enough to play for their team.

Can we find another example of a young player in the AHL, available to be called up who is easily good enough to play on their NHL club...but is sitting in the AHL?
 
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I know you most of you guys don't like Cherry,

but he laid it out pretty easily on HNIC with Ron on Saturday night.

Listed off 20 or more players who started when they were 18 and are now either elite or solid first line players.

Thats a pretty good shot of evidence that times have changed and the kids are starting to take over the game.
 
Kadri has not been rushed at all. I don't see bringing him up now (or by the end of the Marlies 10 game road trip) as being too early. The Leafs need him.
 
JackBurton said:
Kadri has not been rushed at all. I don't see bringing him up now (or by the end of the Marlies 10 game road trip) as being too early. The Leafs need him.
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That's kind of how I feel about the issue in general...not even pertaining to Kadri, but just overall prospect development.

A) Are they good enough to play for your team?
B) Are they ready to play in the NHL?


and the questions are addressed in that order. You let the player show you if they are ready or not if they're good enough to play for your team. Kadri is clearly, clearly good enough to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Would he make Washington, or any other team with a deep top 9 group of forwards right now? Maybe not. But he's good enough to play here, right now....or at the very least, good enough to show us whether or not he's good enough to be here.

so you move on to part B...after you've given him a good look, put him in a position to succeed (we could use his passing and puck control ability on our PP right now for example) and see what he has. He'll show us if he's ready or not.

If he's not, send him down.

I disagree with the use of pre season as a player evaluation tool overall.
 
There's so much more to player development than just playing time.

It always makes me chuckle when you hear fans crap on a GM for not bringing a player up, then crap on the coach when the player is struggling in the lineup.

I'll guarantee that if Kadri is brought up and plays in the final 2 minutes of a game that we lose - fans will complain that the coach shouldn't have had a rookie playing the final 2 minutes of a close game.

That's player development.
 
There's so much more to player development than just playing time.

It always makes me chuckle when you hear fans crap on a GM for not bringing a player up, then crap on the coach when the player is struggling in the lineup.

I'll guarantee that if Kadri is brought up and plays in the final 2 minutes of a game that we lose - fans will complain that the coach shouldn't have had a rookie playing the final 2 minutes of a close game.

That's player development.
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Yes. I'm sure some fans will do that because a lot of Leaf fans are dumb. I can only speak for myself though. I'm quite prepared for Kadri, whenever he is called up, to struggle with consistency at times in the NHL. I'm quite prepared that he'll make rookie mistakes. And I won't be quick to cry "HES NOT READY" or "BUST!" if he goes a couple games without scoring. It happens.
 
I know Kadri's got a pretty thick skin, and i know he can deal with it, but I bet there will be idiots who say something like that whenever he's up.

Heck last time I went down to ACC an idiot screamed "Hey Phil we gave up 2 first's and a second for you! Do something for us will you?!!" ... and that's almost right after his 4 games scoring streak got snapped or something.

There are lots of idiots at the ACC these days and in local media. I think Kadri's got thick enough skin, but just saying Toronto is not just another hockey market. Even some vet's can't deal with the pressure of playing here. You gotta be extra careful with young players.
 
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