Triumph Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 If you look at the top 30 scorers in the NHL right now, only 9 of the 30 spent time in the AHL (not counting lockout years), and of those, 3 of them (Getzlaf, Ladd, Giroux) spent less than a half season. The AHL is a development league for 3rd and 4th line forwards, really; most of the best players should be bypassing that league altogether. We see this with New Jersey's player development as well - Gomez, Martin, Zajac, and Larsson bypassed the AHL. Brian Gionta spent a half-season there. Parise spent a full season there, but we don't know what would have happened had there not been a full-season lockout. I think it's entirely possible that Merrill is in the NHL next year and will never return to the AHL. Other pro leagues and junior hockey have caught up to the NHL, and we see teams are much more ready to stick young guys into the NHL than they were 10 or 15 years ago - it's a younger league in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDevs4978 Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 (edited) lol, I guess Bouchard's gonna throw the rest of his team out after this. Edited April 25, 2013 by NJDevs4978 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxpower Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 It's the Q, always some drama going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefiestygoat Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Awesome brawl! Love seeing that, especially all 4 goalies going at it! It's a shame Matteau couldn't be there for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxpower Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 It's a kids league, it's stupid. Every single thing they whined about him doing probably took place during that. Well, definitely "being the aggressor in a fight".... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDevs4978 Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 And now the other side of it comes out (a TG interview with Stephane) http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/devils_prospect_stefan_matteau_was_not_treated_fairly_by_junior_team_father_stephane_says/ Boy, the junior team looks so bad with this nonsense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundstrom Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 sure stef should have not gotten into a shouting match with his coach but its clear that the junior team was almost looking for a reason to make an example of him for the benefit of the rest of the team that no matter who you are, you fall into line or there are consequences. from a devils' perspective, its pretty much a non-story. he'll either make the team next year or go to albany and be a taxi call up. i think zubrus' status plays a big part in where he begins next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjerseydamo Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 i still think we should of forfeited the pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefiestygoat Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 I suspected Stefan Matteau was being used as an example/scapegoat by the Armada. Not surprised to see his dad confirm this. At least it's behind him now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilMinder Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 We have worse infractions in our farm system, this was just an emotional outburst after losing a game. I am sure the other alluded incidents were minor too. I hope Stefans father told him that that wouldn't fly in the AHL/NHL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zubie#8 Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I really don't see a big deal at all. He will be in the Devils system next year and that will set him straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeroGravityFat Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Sounded from TG's article that all is forgiven, except maybe Matteau sr. may be pretty pissed with the team's unprofessional conduct and won't return as an assistant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefiestygoat Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Matteau will most likely be in the AHL/NHL next year but for the record his QMJHL rights have been traded to Rimouski Oceanic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoArmySports Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Why did we send him down after 23 games? We started our tailspin right after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLL765 Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Matteau will most likely be in the AHL/NHL next year but for the record his QMJHL rights have been traded to Rimouski Oceanic. The way he looked with the big club, I think he'll manage fine in the AHL. I agree it's unlikely to see him head back to juniors. Though it's certainly no surprise he wouldn't be with the same team, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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