The only thing I see where he might have a chance is if Bertuzzi does not get signed. His last contract is/was 5 mil. Cowan is a good fit and would come at a great price for that role. I too think he needs more time but you never know.
all three told teams they were not coming to the ohl. george was a 1st round pick all day. bonk and cowen too but at least cowan was closer to his value at 24 or 25 or whatever he went.
George was a very good player in MM. No source to sight but my eye test was 1st rd potential. Now did Hinter tell him/agent/advisor to say that or was it more let's take a chance, sell him on the org. Or just call his bluff? That's what we don't know.
talk to the moderator if you don’t trust me, he’s a London guy, he thinks I have the knowledge. I didn’t scout during Covid but I know lots of alliance guys who interviewed Cowan and he told them all he was going to school .same with bonk. George was easy a 1st round pick but his agent called everyone the day before the draft and said he’s going to school
Well thankfully they are here now and London Knights. We should be thankful for that.
Seriously though if that is all it takes to manipulate the draft what the heck is every other GM in the league doing? If it's that simple how possibly is not every team doing it or are they but Mark just picks the right guys to "coach"?
dont misconstrue what im saying. Im not saying mark or the knights are in the wrong, im saying those were not great picks that worked out, they were guys that were recruited and fell due to sign ability. very different things.
You aint wrong.
Agreed. But I'll add signability is solely in the hands of the player/family/agents/advisors and not team executives.
for sure. sometimes I see ‘wow, what a great pick by London, how could everyone be so dumb’, well no, everyone knew how good he was, they just don’t recruit as well. drafting vs recruiting. mark is the best recruiter and trader in the businessYou aint wrong.
For those who say Mark manipulated anything I think we need more info. I posted above what may or may not have happened. "Now did Hunter tell him/agent/advisor to say that or was it more let's take a chance, sell him on the org. Or just call his bluff? That's what we don't know."
Either way it's not Mark speaking for agents/advisors/parents. They are the ones hopefully looking after the clients best interests.........and if they feel that's exercising options to land where they want, it's allowed under the system. I'm all for empowering the players in the decision making process esp. as 15/16 yr olds.
Build it and they will come
We would never consider a draft for University admissions to a program where kids hope to develop knowledge, training experience to pursue their dreams but some figure it's ok to do that to a 15 yr old cause they are a fan of a team?
Agreed. But I'll add signability is solely in the hands of the player/family/agents/advisors and not team executives.
Sure it's an advantage, totally agree. But one they fostered and built.
Appreciate the insights n posts.
It wasn't that I didn't believe you at all. I just never heard it. I know it happens all the time. Players say they are opting for the ncaa route and that's where the GMs come in and try to lure the players to their program. Fortunately London has a fantastic track record of producing future NHLers and a winning OHL team.
One thing to consider is whether or not the Leafs look to sign a bottom six player or two to address lack of grit. It’s possible.
