Confirmed with Link: Marlies sign Patrick Watling to AHL contract

[TmlHockeyFan]

Toronto Marlies @TorontoMarlies · 3h
#MarliesLive News: #Marlies have signed forward Patrick Watling to an #AHL contract.

https://twitter.com/TorontoMarlies

Never heard of him

Click to read more...

 

[Kelly]

https://twitter.com/TorontoMarlies

Never heard of him

Guessing Dubas had a finger on this signing...

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=140014

 

[Mess]

Guessing Dubas had a finger on this signing...

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=140014

That would be a good guess since he played as an overager on Dubas Soo team last year.

 

[Hero]

He played for Dubas in the Soo last year. 54 points in 65 games as a 20 yr old. Small winger, 6 feet and under 180lbs.

Dubas called him a versatile winger, back when he traded for him from Guelph. Dubas thinks of him as a hard worker who can kill penalties.

He can also play C but has become more comfortable on the LW.


http://www.saultstar.com/2013/08/22/watling-happy-about-homecoming

 

[HarrisonFord]

Top academic player in the OHL last year. Smart kid

 

[Hotlanta]

Very likely won't ever see a second of NHL action, but should be awarded for his hard work in Juniors with a professional contract, non-the-less.

 

[Leafidelity]

Second time Dubas has acquired this guy, he must like something in his game.

 

[Teeder9]

Dubas likes guys who work hard for their minutes. It's right to figure he likely won't see the NHL, but for the Marlies it's a good signing

 

[Budsfan]

http://theleafsnation.com/2014/8/11/marlies-sign-patrick-watling

His advanced numbers (yes, thanks to ExtraSkater, we have some limited ones!) looked pretty solid too. He was second on the Greyhounds in Relative Goals For Percentage at 63.3%, and put up 2.6 points per 60 minutes at even strength, good for fifth on the team,

Watling's teammates in Guelph included Marlies players and Leafs prospects Matt Finn and Garret Sparks. In a conversation with Sparks today, he noted that Watling was a "Great guy to have around in the room. He works hard for everything he's gotten. Blocks shots, draws penalties, chips in a goal here and there. He's a fast, good forechecker. He won't wow you with skill but you'll notice his heart."

In the Soo, his General Manager was new Leafs assistant Kyle Dubas. With this signing and the signing of Brett Findlay earlier in the week, you have to imagine that Dubas' job description has him taking on Dave Poulin's responsibilities as Marlies General Manager. For now, he seems to be sticking to what he knows, though with the assets that the team has and the ability to move guys who don't quite make it down to Orlando, making it a no-risk proposition.

 

[Quares27]

I would hope he's a defensive forward/PKer because those stats are awful and he doesnt appear to have any size or toughness

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I'm excited to see him. Probably an ECHLer to start out though.

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

I would hope he's a defensive forward/PKer because those stats are awful and he doesnt appear to have any size or toughness

He did double his point totals from the previous season... but yeah, 54 points as an undersized overager is underwhelming. Say that five times fast.

 

[Bullseye]

I'm excited to see him. Probably an ECHLer to start out though.

Excited is kinda strong - I am mildly interested to see if the new Leaf Assistant GM knows anything about evaluating players for the Pro's.

 

[Bravid Nonahan]

Since Dubas signed him, people are optimistic

If Nonis signed him, people would be like "lol who cares"

 

[Mess]

Since Dubas signed him, people are optimistic

If Nonis signed him, people would be like "lol who cares"

Keep in mind this is a AHL contract and that doesn't make him Leaf property just a Marlie at present.
&
ATO and PTO contract can be terminated at any time..

This is just an opportunity here for Watling to try his hand at playing pro and got that invite because his former CHL GM knows him and wanted to give him a chance. If Dubas wasn't here likely Watling wouldn't be either.

 

[91Stammer*]

After losing Brennan we need to secure our lack of scoring. We need forwards who can score. This signing is just a mere opportunity for the player and likely won't be awarded any further next year, if he fails to impress.

 

[htpwn]

Top academic player in the OHL last year. Smart kid

That I like.

 

[Bullseye]

After losing Brennan we need to secure our lack of scoring. We need forwards who can score. This signing is just a mere opportunity for the player and likely won't be awarded any further next year, if he fails to impress.

Still can't figure out why Brennan wasn't given any type of a shot with the Buds - honestly could he have been any worse than Ranger/Franson/Rielly?

 

[Teeder9]

Still can't figure out why Brennan wasn't given any type of a shot with the Buds - honestly could he have been any worse than Ranger/Franson/Rielly?

He was terrible defensively. It wasn't like other teams lined up to give him a one way deal