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A Star in the Making?

by on January 10, 2009 in Uncategorized - 37 Comments

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Pretty darn close. Dale Mitchell is turning heads in the OHL, and it’s not just because of his speed, it’s because of his stats, albeit he is playing with Taylor Hall. Dale was drafted in the third round, 74th overall, of the 2007 NHL entry draft – the same year Chris DiDomenico was drafted, so all in all it was a pretty decent draft year despite trading the 1st and 2nd round picks to SJS for Toskala. At the time, Mitchell posted an 80 point season (43G 37A) but was considered to be too small, even by today’s NHL standards (5’9” 180lbs).

The following year, in his 2007/08 campaign, Dale looked a bit out of place and took a few minor injuries and dropped from his 80 point plateau to 60 (24G 36A). He was a -2 and had 79PIM. It looked as though he would be a future Toronto Marlies player and likely succeed at a top end of a David Ling type player. Then, Mitchell turned the page and looked to better himself both on and off the ice.

Turn to this year: Mitchell is now 5’9” and 200lbs and is Windsor’s 2nd line RW (behind Greg Nemisz), but it isn’t the line # that counts, it’s the player who performs on it. In just 39GP thus far, Dale Mitchell has posted an impressive 21G and 21A for 42P, but it isn’t his points that are the most impressive aspect of his game, nor his 8PP goals; it is his +20 on the year. He’s considered a quick two-way player who has a knack of beating the opposition to his defensive zone.

Will he ever be a top line RW? It’s up in the air, but one thing is for sure, Dale Mitchell has worked for every point he’s earned, and a player that is determined to better himself in order to better his game is a player worth taking a look at. If Dale ever becomes a 1st or 2nd line player, it will be because of his love for the game, and every hard working shift he put himself through to get there. Talent can only take you so far, your heart has to lead you the rest of the way.

Dale Mitchell is a team player, has the heart to make it, and could very well be a star in the making.

Micheal A. Aldred
[email protected]

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  • Trevor

    I wouldn’t say we have a lot of legitimate prospects. I still say the cupboard is relatively bare. But instead of there just being a jar of peanut butter on the shelf there is also some pickles and mustard.

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  • Mizuno

    I don’t think Dale Mitchell is the typical size Burke is looking for. Don’t expect him in leafs uniform for a while.

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  • http://admin Alec Brownscombe

    Interesting analogy Trevor, we have the condiments but are in need of some bread.

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  • betterforsome

    I hope you mean, ‘heck of an AHL team’ Tom. While the Leafs prospect pool has certainly improved of late, it’s still average to mediocre compared to other NHL franchises. No disrespect to our young players and we’ve got some kids who are turning out better than their draft position, but so does everyone else. What we lack (Schenn and maybe Kulemin aside) is blue-chip first and second -rounders who are developing into front-line stars. Hence the rebuild.

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  • Ron Guillet

    Agreed, Trevor.

    We haven’t had talented prospects in a while, I can’t help but over-hype the situation.

    And your analogy is gold, Jerry! Gold!

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  • Georgie

    If Toronto can get 1 more first rounder this year, and judging on the recent losses, the Leafs could be in the top 5 picks (currently are 6th), this thing could be turned around faster than one would expect.

    If we considered that only Kubina and Kaberle were dealt and the return was only two first rounders (let’s just say that’s what happens):

    Ponikarovsky – Stajan – Antropov
    Hagman – Grabovski – Kulemin
    Williams – (drafted player) – Moore
    Deveaux – Mitchell – Mayers

    Schenn – Van Ryn
    Frogren – Finger
    White – Stralman

    Toskala
    Pogge

    All together, that team would cost around 40M. If the cap stays at 56.7, the leafs would have roughly 16M to spend on free agents.

    The Leafs are in a great situation for the trade deadline (because every single player is available) and they have almost a third of the team’s payroll freed up to spend in the offseason.

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  • Trevor

    Georgie, the Leafs have tried your approach over and over. No disrespect intended but the definition of insanity is doing things the same but expecting different results. I don’t believe the Leafs will or should turn this around in a hurry. They have to stay somewhat competitive but in order to get the picks back and extra picks Burke is going to have to jetison some of our better veteran players. With that the team gets weaker than it already is. You can’t simply draft players and then throw them to the wolves in the NHL. That happen all to often with the Leafs in the past. Players like Damphouse, Iafrate, Bester, Benning etc were all pushed into NHL duty before they were really ready. Granted, the calibre of coaching was not as good then as it is now but my point is, a lot of these younger players need time to develop and gain the must needed confidence. I think we should be content with getting some high draft picks in the next 3 years and develop those high picks. We have the proper personnel in place to do this (with the exceptionon of Greg Gilbert maybe).

    It is my view that our season reward for the next 3 years will come in June at the Entry Draft. I have a feeling that MLSE has finally bought in to this idea and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

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  • http://leafs.hockeyanalysis.com [email protected]

    I wasn’t ripping the kid. Nor was I slamming the posting. I just don’t think much has changed to warrant his status as a prospect.

    If I had trouble with blogging I sincerely doubt I would maintain a blog… which is linked on the site already… so linking myself in the comments doesn’t really affect my ego so much as let the guys who maintain MLHS know it’s me that’s leaving the comments. I didn’t do it for anyone else’s benefit.

    Just to make things clear, I think Alec, Alex, Gus and Michael do some great work on the site. I was just including my opinion on a topic I hadn’t posted on myself recently.

    I’d save the ad hominem attacks for occasions where people insult you or your family or something. Windsor and the Leafs aren’t really worth the trouble.

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  • Daddoo
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  • Trevor

    Daddoo – I see your point but what I was referring to was signing free agents to make this team better. I want to see the Leafs BUILD a team for a change rather than buying through free agents. Key trades are different. I just don’t want to see a turn around via the free agent market where the Leafs over pay.

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  • Daddoo

    True enough, but with the UFA age dropping, They will be able to sign younger then ever before. Anyways I can see we both pray for a true future, not just a quick fix. “smiles”

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  • BeLeafer11

    Mitchell with game winning goal and an assist last night. :)

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