RayzorIsDull
Registered User
The thing is that other teams recognize that London players....even their "spare parts" have been drafted because of proven scouting. In some instances, London's spares are equal to or better than what the acquiring team sees as their potential roster. A player that London has invested a couple of development years into is seen by competing GM's as being a bona fide OHL player. Not every team sees it this way, but enough do, so that the Knights will continue to replenish their draft pick arsenal, when restocking is needed. Do they warrant a "premium price" ? Apparently enough organizations around the league think so.
Mattinen was drafted in London by the same guy that drafted him in Toronto. Let's not start about the whole scouting thing. Mattinen is in a contract year or the Leafs drop him, he's played 106 OHL games I don't think he's any better than 20-21 other #4 or #5 D. The Knights and their people do a tremendous job of self promotion and many scouts just fall in line. London is also in the mecca of scouting heaven being 100 minutes away from Toronto. Scouts aren't going to spend their time in Windsor/Saginaw/Flint and drive 4-6 hours to see players consistently because they need to see numerous games during a week.