"Dale Mitchell no savior"

by bkblades on May 25, 2009 10:23 PM EDT

In amidst the Phoenix and Balsille trials, the NHL playoffs, and the recently concluded Memorial Cup, THN and Ken Campbell manages to do it again: a potshot at the Leafs and their fans. No doubt to fufill the daily quota.

Those who follow the Toronto Maple Leafs are always looking for the next savior and they’ll undoubtedly latch onto Dale Mitchell...You’d have to think the team and its fans have learned a little something from Justin Pogge, who went from national junior team hero to possible flop under the weight of ridiculous expectations and an organization that handled his development in its typical ham-handed fashion.

Once again, it's us fans that over hype a 3rd round pick who we have routinely called an invaluable energy/checking line player in the future by propping him up in an article. Funny thing is, that snippet of Dale Mitchell is the only time Campbell even mentions the Memorial Cup in the entire piece. Whatever boosts your readership, right Ken?

You can read the rest of the Dale Mitchell piece and the entire article by clicking here

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In all honesty, I’ve never heard a single Leaf fan call Dale Mitchell anything even remotely close to a “savior”. Not one. And I waste a lot of time talking to/reading other Leaf fans.

Other than that, great take Ken Campbell.

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by Down Goes Brown on May 25, 2009 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

wow yeah, it seems to me that all Leaf fans have taken his goal scoring ways with a grain of salt considering the talent around him, and think of him as a complementary player…

where do these writers get these ideas??

"Life is just a place where we spend time between games. Hockey is where we live, where we can best meet and overcome pain and wrong and death." - Fred Shero

by Karina on May 25, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Typically, it’s just keeping his readership up (or heck any of the MSM):
- Find some semblance of Leaf involvement
- Talk about over hype and delusional fans
- talk about 1967 (or is that just Cox?)
- Talk about mismanagement of the team and its development

You know, the easy stuff. I’m sure they issue these topics in the welcome basket for each new member of the TSM

Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!

by blindfolded tank driver on May 26, 2009 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions

but i thought Dale was going to be our Jarome Iginla!

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on May 26, 2009 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Although Dale Mitchell has been sporting a tremendous moustache, I am keeping my expectations in check.

Future sex symbol for Leafs Nation? Absolutely. Savior of the franchise? No, that is Christian Hanson’s job :)

www.mma-elite.com

by Brad Ackerson on May 26, 2009 4:27 AM EDT reply actions

Mad Libs!

Those who follow the Montreal Canadiens are always looking for the next savior and they’ll undoubtedly latch onto P.K. Subban…You’d have to think the team and its fans have learned a little something from Carey Price, who went from national junior team hero to possible flop under the weight of ridiculous expectations and an organization that handled his development in its typical ham-handed fashion.

This game is fun! Give me a Hockey News column!

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on May 26, 2009 9:11 AM EDT reply actions 7 recs

rec'd

A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.

by furcifer on May 26, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

well played, well played

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on May 26, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

it’s so seamless…

"Life is just a place where we spend time between games. Hockey is where we live, where we can best meet and overcome pain and wrong and death." - Fred Shero

by Karina on May 26, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

A wee taste of what it's like being a Leaf fan

I read that (at the original source, before seeing this post here) and I thought, “The hell? That’s a shot out of left field. If Leafs fans saw Mitchell as a savior, surely those PPP zealots would have already created a crown by now.” Then there was the Pogge fallacy on top of it.

Somehow, stumbling upon it without it being pointed out to me by Leafs fans really drove home what you guys have to put up with. I’ve said this before, but this is why I’m not always bummed that hockey isn’t a bigger sport in the U.S. Where there is tons of coverage of NFL or MLB, etc., that just makes for tons more random crapola like this.

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by Dominik on May 26, 2009 11:32 PM EDT reply actions

If Leafs fans saw Mitchell as a savior, surely those PPP zealots would have already created a crown by now

hehe, that made me laugh. It’s true though.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on May 27, 2009 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions

/ceases crown manufacturing activities, asap.

Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!

by blindfolded tank driver on May 27, 2009 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Dale Mitchell

is no John Mitchell.

"Ninety percent of the game is half mental."
The Left Coast Lock

by blurr1974 on May 27, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

Personally, I am a huge fan of Dale Mitchell. I think his contributions to the Memorial Cup victory are understated and underappreciated. Also, Mitchell has historically been the type of player who steps it up in the playoffs. Just look at his stats: one year with Oshawa, he outscored John Tavares in the playoffs after Tavares had scored two points per game in the regular season (this is also why I’d be apprehensive about taking Tavares in the upcoming draft). Furthermore, it is misleading to say that Mitchell isn’t big. He is big, just not tall. He weighs more than 200 lbs and can play a very physical game. And sometimes those stalky players can be the toughest to handle. He’s also got a wicked shot and apparently is an incredibly hard worker. Hard not to get excited about a prospect like that; I’m actually surprised Leaf fans aren’t talking about him more. I think that at best he can be a really good second/third liner, but if he falls short of that, I’m not going to kill myself.

Do I think he’ll be a saviour? No. But does that mean we shouldn’t be excited about a prospect? What is Ken Campbell suggesting, anyway? That we ought to ignore the kids and try and act surprised when one of them actually ends up being a pretty good hockey player? Is it our excitement about the success of our prospects that is ruining them in the long term? I’m just not sure I see the point.

www.palhalpall.blogspot.com

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by Pal Hal Pall on May 28, 2009 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

Hmm – energy guy, not all that tall, stocky, wicked shot, steps up in the playoffs.

Doesn’t wear 17, does he?

(No, I’m not serious, Mr Campbell.)

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on May 28, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes

Just like you said. I am excited because he’s another prospect in the pipeline that is playing well but I don’t expect the world. Then if he delivers I’ll be happy.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on May 28, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m just glad that we have some prospects who aren’t the worst players on their teams.

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by Chemmy on May 28, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

pal hal…excellent point about not tall but plays big.I remember another Leaf pick,albeit a first overall,who played a hell of a lot bigger than he was…Wendel Clark. No I am not saying that Dale Mitchell will turn out to be another Clarkie,but the game is different now.You don’t have to be 6 foot 5 and weigh 240 pounds to be effective.Mitchell will be a very good NHL player,for the Leafs….but only if given the chance.Burke loves this kid and his game.I don’t see him in a Leaf uniform until 2010-11 at the earliest.
But heart goes a long way,especially with Burke and Wilson.

by wayne scarlett on May 30, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions