The Draft Board: Matt Duchene
In preparation for the NHL Draft, we're going to run down the top 15 players as ranked by the ISSand have our users vote for how good they think each player is to help us prepare our draft board. Since the Hockey-Reference posts apparently do not count I am back. Up next - because Chemmy has problems with crooked numbers - the ISS #2, Matt Duchene.
Duchene has improved every year since lacing them up for the Central Ontario Wolves AAA minor midget team. He is one of two Brampton Battalion rookies to score 30 goals along with Raffi Torres. Duchene also played behind some kid named Cory Hodgsonwho had kind of a great career in the OHL. I always thought that a # 2 ranked player would be the top centre on his junior team but the pros know better I guess. The biggest shock about Duchene's ascension to the top of draft boards around the league came when Redline Report ranked him above Tavares. Needless to say, many were skeptical about the reasons behind the move. Hockey Prospect describes him as a complete player who has a well developed defensive game to complement his offensive capabilities. Bob McKenzie and the fans at Mile High Hockey are ready to welcome him to Denver. In fact, that McKenzie approval is pretty strong:
Jassi, the scouts love everything about Duchene. They like his size, strength, speed, skill and smarts. They see him as a character player, as someone who can score goals, make plays and work as hard without the puck as with it. There’s nothing not to like about the Brampton Battalion forward. Tavares and Hedman are heavy favorites to go one-two in this draft, but if there’s one player who could upset that scenario, it’s probably Duchene. Not to give it away just yet, but when we release a revised Top 15 draft ranking tonight on the NHL Draft Lottery show on TSN at 8 p.m. eastern, Duchene will be a rock-solid No. 3 but at least one of the 10 scouts we surveyed had him at No. 2, ahead of Hedman.
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I just have a bad feeling about this guy. Even next year he may not be the #1 center on the Batallion unless Hodsgon makes the Canucks out of training camp.
"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 Jun 3, 2009 1:03 PM EDT reply actions
Poll fail!
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
Why do you want me to rank Tavares in a Duchene article?
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
wow...
you’re like the PPP ombudsman
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I work in compliance. I’m paid to notice mistakes.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
I work in planning…I predict people’s mistakes and develop strategy to overcome them! i’m in the future!
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I work in sports journalism…. I fail to notice mistakes when they happen, then years later claim they were obvious all along.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Jun 3, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
how did it fail? did I miss something?
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly ;)
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jun 3, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
He’ll be a Top liner on a week team, otherwise on deeper squads, full second line offensive centre.
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions
I’m thinkin solid 1st liner, 30 goal forward
not franchise
Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 3, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I see a 25 g 45 a kind of guy…lots of talent, but never the top dog…which is not a bad pick up at #3
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
The second line thing really bothers me. Can he handle being the top guy?
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
not sure…hasn’t been the top guy at the OHL level…maybe like Karina said, if Hodgson sticks with the Canucks, we might get to see that…and possibly him lead Canada into the WJC as well.
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
we’ll see… I think Taylor Hall is probably going to lead canada at the WJC’s next year…. but maybe the’ll give Duschene a chance.
Perhaps his ceiling is higher than I think, I just don’t think he’s a step in the NHL kinda guy, he’s gonna need some development.
"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 Jun 3, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
its rare an underage would be first line centre…even Tavares had to wait until the second time to get the top billing.
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
well they are currently probably more worried about developing Hodgson, but it may hurt Duchene unless he gets a year as number one next season
Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 3, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Next Year
It’s definitely a big year for him. He’ll be the top dog on Brampton and likely among the top ones on Canada at the WJHC.
I don’t know too much about him but I do know that it’s easier to score when someone is drawing your opponent’s best players.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jun 3, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Just Realized I'm Getting Old
I know Crosby & Schenn and all these guys are younger than me, (and I’m only 24) but Duchene is my youngest brother’s age. I watched this kid play for Central Ontario while at a tournament my brother’s team played in.
I need to go lay down.
Good player though. I voted first-liner.
im 26 in a few months
GET OFF MY LAWN!
Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 3, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I always picture myself as one of those old guys in that bank commercial “BRING ME PIZZA! I WANT A MORTGAGE!”
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
I am so going to pretend I am blind and bump into people just to make them uncomfortable
Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 3, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
26, ah I remember 26. The year was 2002, times were different back then. Gas costs were a fraction of what they are now, and there wasn’t any ‘financial crisis.’
It was a simpler time, a pre post lockout time. The term ‘New NHL’ was not even a twinkle in the sportswriters eye.
Alexander Mogilny was the lead scorer on the Leafs, back when we had a first line winger. Yes, children, we DID have a first line winger!
Sundin still hadn’t started shaving his head and Eddie was our goaltender. What, you say? We had a future HOF goaltender on our team? Yes, yes we did.
Good ole ’02, made the playoffs that year.
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
26
i was 28, ya whippersnapper.
get off my lawn!
"Ninety percent of the game is half mental."
The Left Coast Lock
by blurr1974 on Jun 3, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
and pull up them pants, damn teenagers!
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
/shakes fist
“Quiet down, you young whippersnappers!!!”
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Ehhhhhh.
(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score
by Wrap Around Curl on Jun 3, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions
Whoa, where’d this article come from? I didn’t write it.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
It’s almost like we have a second blogger around here. Hold on while I get to the bottom of this.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
a second blogger around here? How can that be?
"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 Jun 3, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
wait, is he talking about Blurr, Wrap or LD?
Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 3, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe Blurr, he’s been posting a lot lately.
Can’t be Mattblack ‘cause it’s not the weekend….
I sure hope Chemmy can get to the bottom of this mystery!
"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 Jun 3, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe Chemmy has a split personality called Jammies
"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
One, Two, Three, Four!
Four Bannings! HA! HA! HA!

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jun 3, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
you realize
that the 4 of us account for about 75% of all comments on this blog.
Without us, you’ll be left with the englishman, the californian and all other types of undesirables…
wait, what? Everyone can read this post?
"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 Jun 3, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

"Ninety percent of the game is half mental."
The Left Coast Lock
by blurr1974 on Jun 3, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Chemmy calls the undesirables his ‘base’
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jun 3, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll back you up PPP. I mean, just because you hardly ever do any work and generally lord your mighty power over us peons, that is no reason to constantly poke fun at you.
The most powerful man in the world did that for 8 years down in the states.
I think that’s a great example to follow.
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Would the previous post classify me as an ‘undesirable?’
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, which makes you one of my people.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
ooooh
we should have some sort of way of identifying who are your people and who are PPP’s people
"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 Jun 3, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
We could record the # of ban threats from PPP?
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
They’re both all talk, I’ve probably received more ban threats from those two then anyone else here.
"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
I think Jared might have that title…
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Or someone could help pull the knife out of my back.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jun 3, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
After going through all that trouble of putting it there?
Jared, give me a hand with this thing, the big baby wants the knife out!
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
there’s only one there?
"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
ixnay on the ifeknay!
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Vote Chemmy in 2012!
I would, but I can’t legally vote in your country. Of course, you would then have to assume that something being illegal would in some way deter me.
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Vote Chemmy in 2012!
Time to give The Jackal a call…
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jun 3, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Can you kill this person on the left?

Wendel Clark? Hell no!! If I even think about it, he’ll punch all of my blood out!
Wings fan by birth. Leafs fan by empathetic association.
The Jackal’s one of my people. Who do I want as my people you ask?
I want rustlers, cut throats, murderers, bounty hunters, desperados, mugs, pugs, thugs, nitwits, halfwits, dimwits, vipers, snipers, con men, Indian agents, Mexican bandits, muggers, buggerers, bushwhackers, hornswogglers, horse thieves, bull dykes, train robbers, bank robbers, ass-kickers, shit-kickers and Methodists.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Hell yeah! I’m at least three of those things. The fun part is in guessing which three…
Wings fan by birth. Leafs fan by empathetic association.
Close.
Ass-kicker, Mexican bandit, and Methodist
Wings fan by birth. Leafs fan by empathetic association.
Pretty sure the church in our backyard is methodist. We should sacrifice a goat in our backyard and listen to White Zombie some morning.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
A second blogger that makes mistakes.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
Reply fail.
/egg on face skulks away.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
Someone has to write in the mistake-ridden style of the commenters that haven’t mastered the ‘reply’ function ;)
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jun 3, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
twss
"Ninety percent of the game is half mental."
The Left Coast Lock
by blurr1974 on Jun 3, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have voted 1
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
Love the new blog description.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
heh
Thanks for noticing
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Jun 3, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
It sounds like something I would write.
(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score
by Wrap Around Curl on Jun 3, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Dissenters
Who had Duchene as a 3rd/4th liner? Let’s hear your thoughts!
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
I just have a good feeling about him and picked ‘Franchise Player.’
I don’t know, guys like this seem to stay just out of the spotlight, then 5 years down the road you see who really was the best player in the draft.
Not that I’m betting against Tavares or Hedman, but i think whoever gets him will be more than pleased.
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I picked franchise. Sakic’s replacement in Colorado.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
already filled
by some kid drafted 44th overall…
"Ninety percent of the game is half mental."
The Left Coast Lock
by blurr1974 on Jun 3, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
yes
with Statsny already in the fold, drafting Duschene is a safe option to give them a good 1-2 punch down the middle.
"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 Jun 3, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Statsny and Duchene are a formidable threat.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
they have Wolski too….
dammit, why are they ahead of us in rebuilding too?!?!?
"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 Jun 3, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Wolski’s name was brought up in the 2004 discussion on hockeydb as the player the Leafs could have taken. God damn revisionists.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
Let’s not go down that road because you quickly realize just how accidental most drafts are.
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Stastsny, was he injured this year?
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
yup
"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 Jun 3, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
got his hand stuck in Sakic’s snow blower too…damn veteran hazing
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
So, the snowblower got Granato fired?
"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
it was his driveway
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Couldn’t he have paid a local kid 10 bucks to clean his driveway? Seems like using a highly touted young player to do it is probably a mistake – and fire-worthy
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Would you rather some punk kid clean your drive way or an NHL all-star do it for you?
"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
Depends
if said all-star is smart enough not to stick his hand in a running snowblower.
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s not my concern.
"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
You just want a Stastny finger to sell on Ebay.
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
FOR THE LAST TIME THE STUPID THING GOT JAMMED AND I SAW A QUARTER IN THERE AND WHEN I REACHED IN TO PULL IT OUT
I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT ANYMORE
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Let the snowblower take over for Sakic.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
Yan, not so good as his younger brother. What’s his deal? Like a Gretzky brother or something?
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Final votes so far:
John Tavares: 4.25
Victor Hedman: 3.91
Matt Duchene is currently at 3.87.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Brayden Schenn will be 4!
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
oh how I covet….
"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 Jun 3, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not getting my hopes up. In my eternal pessimism I figure than any of the players I would like (Tavares, Hedman, Duchene and Schenn) will all be gone before the Leafs pick. MSP, Cowen or Kadri.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
I still think Burke’ll end up trading up, I just don’t think he’ll stay at 7. Minimum, up to 4 (who’s there – Atlanta?) and take Schenn the younger.
"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 Jun 3, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I still have a hard time seeing him trade up, no one’s going to give the Leafs a decent or non-lobsided deal.
"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
how much did it cost us to trade up and get OLAS last year?
Why would it cost more now?
"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 Jun 3, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Depends who you ask. According to Cox we got fleeced and had to give up everything short of our first borns to get Schenn (Even still it would have been worth it).
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
Cox is an idiot.
That is all.
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I actually don’t remember what we gave up…..
"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 Jun 3, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
all i remember about his tirade was that math wasn’t his strong suit.
"Ninety percent of the game is half mental."
The Left Coast Lock
by blurr1974 on Jun 3, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
The way it ended up after some conditions was a 2nd in 2009, 3rd in 2008, an an exchange of the 2008 first round picks.
A Nation of Masochists a blog dedicated to Toronto sports fans, who are continually punished but keep coming back for more.
a bit higher than I’d like, but still, I’ll take it.
"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 Jun 3, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder how many GM’s will go to the Podium with black eyes and bloody lips and announce “The (insert team name here) trade our first round pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs for future considerations.”
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 3, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
all of them…Burke will wreak a terrible vengenance upon them (via Wendel)
Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!
by blindfolded tank driver on Jun 3, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

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