Rumor: Leafs to sign Zack MacEwen of the Gatineau Olympiques? NOPE Canucks

[SprDaVE]

It was rumoured we were interested. Looks like it's official. EDIT: The tweet was deleted, so perhaps it's not quite confirmed yet?

6'4" center. Very late bloomer and a current overager. Not a great skater but lot's of truculence and decent skill level.

EDIT2: Reporter clarified his tweet. Essentially saying that nothing is confirmed yet. Leafs and other teams have interest in signing him.

Click to read more...

 

[TLeafsFan]

Interesting...

 

[Cor]

Interesting...

 

[The Podium]

Interesting...

 

[crump]

Makes you think.

 

[DopeyFish]

c-c-combo breaker

 

[WilliamNylander]

Gauthier 2.0?

 

[ChrisCall]

Interesting...

Interesting...

 

[TLeafsFan]

Gauthier 2.0?

Except he's from the Olympiques not the Oceanic.

 

[Walshy7]

if we did sign this guy does he have to sign an ELC? if so can we go straight AHL deal?. Also since he wasn't drafted could he decide to leave the CHL and join the marlies on a AHL deal?

 

[thewave]

Pretty good player. Hope we got him and that he loses that ridiculous candy cane tape job!

 

[BertCorbeau]

Gauthier 2.0?

Probably not as good of a skater but a heck of a lot more physical. Maybe not quite as refined defensively?

I would imagine he'll battle time with Toninato (who I expect will get an AHL deal) next season for the fourth line centre role on the Marlies

 

[Walshy7]

Probably not as good of a skater but a heck of a lot more physical. Maybe not quite as refined defensively?

I would imagine he'll battle time with Toninato (who I expect will get an AHL deal) next season for the fourth line centre role on the Marlies

if the marlies stay as weak at C as they are this year they will probably both get 4th line C and W roles and alternate. I guess brooks will come to the marlies too so if he sticks at C he will be one of them.

 

[Stephen]

Yes, by all means.

Wish they'd grab a few defensemen too.

 

[Jack Bauer]

Sign enough undrafted FA's and you'll eventually find a player.

But with what we have coming, this is an AHL signing. Should be good pro depth for the next few years.

 

[Budsfan]

Evidently, he also plays RW but I think we are trying to beef up the Marlies because they will be facing a lot of Knuckledraggers when they go for the Cup.

 

[BertCorbeau]

if the marlies stay as weak at C as they are this year they will probably both get 4th line C and W roles and alternate. I guess brooks will come to the marlies too so if he sticks at C he will be one of them.

He'll also add some size and toughness. A good add for the Marlies IMO with a long shot he'll become more.

 

[al secord]

What's an Olympique?

 

[TLeafsFan]

What's an Olympique?

A player in a Hull of a place?

 

[SprDaVE]

What's an Olympique?

Olympics?

They used to be called the Festivals in their first couple seasons.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Interestering

*strokes beard in amusement*

 

[MXD]

Having seen both, he isn't quite like Gauthier. Gauthier was already one step ahead of everyone in terms of defensive consciousness at 17. MacEwen isn't at 20. But he'll have to play like Gauthier to make the NHL.

 

[AINEC*]

Does this make Matthews expendable?

 

[Mugzy97]

Looking at stats he was good in his draft year, surprised he didn't get picked. Then he had a tough D+1 but not bad, and is doing pretty good again this year. Might as well give him a shot.

 

[Griffin76]

This is huge for me. He played for our local JrA team in Amherst N.S. when he was 17 and 18. Could never understand why he wasn't drafted in the Q. You could see his offensive talents as a17 yr old. (Future scoring champ) As an 18 he was an absolute beast. One of the best players in the league. Got a few games in Moncton as a free agent and I knew he would never be back. He's got great size. He is a good skater. Elite actually at the JrA level. Great hands. Wicked wrister. Tough as nails just as most Island boys are.

Now I understand there is a huge difference between JrA and AHL and NHL, so there's no need to destroy my post. I know he's probably AHL bound and may never even see much there.

If you are comparing him to Gauthier I would say he has better offensive talent by far. Tougher. And he has a great engine.

OK guys have at'er. Flame away but this guy is my dark horse to play in the NHL someday. And even the negative comments won't bring me down from this high.