The Leafs will be in the cup finals within 5 years.
First, let's talk about the book.
Then the issue.
It's called Game Change: The Life and Death of Steve Montador and the Future of Hockey. It's written by Hall of Fame goaltender and acclaimed author Ken Dryden.
As you would expect -- coming from the man who wrote the definitive hockey book in 1983, The Game -- Game Change is excellent. Well written. Well researched. Well reasoned. Informative. Intriguing. Thought provoking.
As the title suggests, it is first and foremost a story on the life of Steve Montador and how he went from being a fun-loving, quintessential, hardcore NHL "hockey guy" to a depressed, manic and deeply damaged young man who was dead at age 35.
But there are two other stories being concurrently told in this book: the story of the NHL, how the game is played, how it's changed and how it's governed; the story of medicine and science and how they relate to brain trauma, concussions if you will, and the advances in this field; and how those two stories have become intertwined with Montador's.
I knew of Steve Montador, obviously. But I did not actually know him, though after reading this book I feel like I might have an understanding of what it was like to know him. Either way, it's a poignant story of a life lost far too soon, so very, very sad.
But Dryden was not content to only tell Montador's story. This book is also a blueprint of sorts on how Dryden feels the game of hockey in the NHL should be played and governed. It is nothing less than a direct challenge from Dryden to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to take action. Very specific action. Now.
"Two small changes," Dryden writes in the book. "No hits to the head; no finishing your check."
If that sounds overly simplistic, well, it is and it isn't.
Here’s how Gary Bettman can fix hockey. It’s easy.
Hockey legend Ken Dryden on his new hockey book and the simple rule changes that could ease the number of concussions in his beloved game
Connor McDavid’s skating coach: ‘I think he can add more speed’
Yeah, they're probably the fastest paced team in the league, which is hard to adjust to given 70+ other games to prepare for.Hell, they could be there this year. They just send waves of talented forwards at you. It's impressive. Matthews gets the headlines, but they roll multiple lines with tons of skill.
Sorry... Matthews is on another level than Jack at this time.
Good news is Jack has the ability to be on that level.
He just needs to want it.
Edit: Leafs with 4 goals on 5 shots.
Matthews is a stud. Take nothing away from bim.
But he's also at the top of his game right now IMO. He's already at 6-4-10 in 7 games. I also don't really see him blossoming into much more. A true premier Goal scorer. Potential to be a 50-40-90 guy yearly, with maybe a 100+ point season or two sprinkled in.
Jack has a higher ceiling IMO. He hasn't quite hit his stride yet and has 2-7-9 in 7 games. Jack has the shot to score 40 and the vision for 70+ assists.
Once Eichel realizes that not only can he shoot and score from basically anywhere in the zone, but that he can also drive to the net and get into the ugly areas to score as well , more goals will definitely come for him. Right now he looks pass too much, doesn't attack the net enough. Maybe he never will become that type of player, but the possibility is definitely there.
Matthews is as he is IMO. A true superstar. I just think Jack has the skill to be a notch better. The question is, will Jack ever reach his peak level?
As is, Matthews arguably has the edge in terms of who is poised to become the better player. Kind of like how Ovi was the front runner vs Sid to a lot of people early on. As the years went on, Sid clearly became the better player.
I think Jack will become the clear favorite in the matchup in another season or two.
Matthews is a stud. Take nothing away from bim.
But he's also at the top of his game right now IMO. He's already at 6-4-10 in 7 games. I also don't really see him blossoming into much more. A true premier Goal scorer. Potential to be a 50-40-90 guy yearly, with maybe a 100+ point season or two sprinkled in.
Jack has a higher ceiling IMO. He hasn't quite hit his stride yet and has 2-7-9 in 7 games. Jack has the shot to score 40 and the vision for 70+ assists.
Once Eichel realizes that not only can he shoot and score from basically anywhere in the zone, but that he can also drive to the net and get into the ugly areas to score as well , more goals will definitely come for him. Right now he looks pass too much, doesn't attack the net enough. Maybe he never will become that type of player, but the possibility is definitely there.
Matthews is as he is IMO. A true superstar. I just think Jack has the skill to be a notch better. The question is, will Jack ever reach his peak level?
As is, Matthews arguably has the edge in terms of who is poised to become the better player. Kind of like how Ovi was the front runner vs Sid to a lot of people early on. As the years went on, Sid clearly became the better player.
I think Jack will become the clear favorite in the matchup in another season or two.
At least Carey Price will ensure they cant tank properly fpr years and will continue to suck for a very long time. We are in a bad place but we are still much better off than MTLMontreal is just bad, bottom feeder. At least we have Eichel. I'd look at making a deal with them but they have nothing I'd want.
At least Carey Price will ensure they cant tank properly fpr years and will continue to suck for a very long time. We are in a bad place but we are still much better off than MTL
The difference between Matthews and Eichel, is that Matthews is on a team that's flying high right now. Firing on all cylinders. If he has a bad game there's waves of talent backing him up. Granted, he's talented enough that those off nights are few and far between... but I'd be interested to see in 5 years when Toronto can't afford all those kids, or can't afford the pieces around them. Maybe get a few Moulson's or Pouliot's signed. And see if he can carry the team solely on his back like Eichel has had to since coming into the league.Matthews is a stud. Take nothing away from bim.
But he's also at the top of his game right now IMO. He's already at 6-4-10 in 7 games. I also don't really see him blossoming into much more. A true premier Goal scorer. Potential to be a 50-40-90 guy yearly, with maybe a 100+ point season or two sprinkled in.
Jack has a higher ceiling IMO. He hasn't quite hit his stride yet and has 2-7-9 in 7 games. Jack has the shot to score 40 and the vision for 70+ assists.
Once Eichel realizes that not only can he shoot and score from basically anywhere in the zone, but that he can also drive to the net and get into the ugly areas to score as well , more goals will definitely come for him. Right now he looks pass too much, doesn't attack the net enough. Maybe he never will become that type of player, but the possibility is definitely there.
Matthews is as he is IMO. A true superstar. I just think Jack has the skill to be a notch better. The question is, will Jack ever reach his peak level?
As is, Matthews arguably has the edge in terms of who is poised to become the better player. Kind of like how Ovi was the front runner vs Sid to a lot of people early on. As the years went on, Sid clearly became the better player.
I think Jack will become the clear favorite in the matchup in another season or two.
The difference between Matthews and Eichel, is that Matthews is on a team that's flying high right now. Firing on all cylinders. If he has a bad game there's waves of talent backing him up. Granted, he's talented enough that those off nights are few and far between... but I'd be interested to see in 5 years when Toronto can't afford all those kids, or can't afford the pieces around them. Maybe get a few Moulson's or Pouliot's signed. And see if he can carry the team solely on his back like Eichel has had to since coming into the league.
I'm surprised Eichel is above a PPG right now. The Sabres have been terrible and even he's looked off some nights with no one, or no inspired morale-boosting play from his teammates, to help him snap out of it. Now THAT'S impressive.
Matthews is simply a smarter more intuitive player than Jack.
They have similar quality shots, but Matthews knows where he is and what he wants to do with the puck and therefore he rips off quick shots with little wasted motion or time. Eichel almost never gets off his shot quickly, instead taking time to look over a pass option or a shot and then try to beat a set goalie. When he does shoot quickly, off a pass for example, he often scores or gets a great chance.
The only thing keeping Jack on Matthews level at all, is Jack's freak athletics. His skating is just filthy for a guy his size and it creates a lot of opportunity for Jack to get more time and space than Matthews typically produces.
Hopefully he can build towards being more decisive with the puck, but that is a tough thing to "learn" at this stage of development.
Matthews is a stud. Take nothing away from bim.
But he's also at the top of his game right now IMO. He's already at 6-4-10 in 7 games. I also don't really see him blossoming into much more. A true premier Goal scorer. Potential to be a 50-40-90 guy yearly, with maybe a 100+ point season or two sprinkled in.
Jack has a higher ceiling IMO. He hasn't quite hit his stride yet and has 2-7-9 in 7 games. Jack has the shot to score 40 and the vision for 70+ assists.
Once Eichel realizes that not only can he shoot and score from basically anywhere in the zone, but that he can also drive to the net and get into the ugly areas to score as well , more goals will definitely come for him. Right now he looks pass too much, doesn't attack the net enough. Maybe he never will become that type of player, but the possibility is definitely there.
Matthews is as he is IMO. A true superstar. I just think Jack has the skill to be a notch better. The question is, will Jack ever reach his peak level?
As is, Matthews arguably has the edge in terms of who is poised to become the better player. Kind of like how Ovi was the front runner vs Sid to a lot of people early on. As the years went on, Sid clearly became the better player.
I think Jack will become the clear favorite in the matchup in another season or two.