Friday April 29th I went to bed, thinking of the possibilities that could come with the 2016 Lottery Draft. It wasn’t easy getting comfortable as I flipped my pillow around a few times trying to get my body ready for sleep. I woke up Saturday, with the footsteps of my son running in the room telling me he wanted Minion cereal. Without hesitation I quickly jumped out of bed, knowing today is the big day, no matter where the Leafs end up with the lottery, they will be getting an outstanding player.

After getting the little man all setup with his breakfast I tossed on my Maple Leafs golf shirt and hat. Time to get amped up! (Don’t worry I had other clothes on too).

As the day went on, I ensured all of my household chores were completed and the dog was walked. I didn’t want to miss a minute of the action. I’ve sincerely never been so pumped up for a Lottery Draft; even last year when Toronto had a chance at McDavid I was very excited as I think he is without question a generational talent. But there was something about this draft that really gave me that extra boost. Perhaps it was losing out on McDavid last season that really made me hungrier this year.

Whatever the case may have been, I glued myself to the television around six and watched an hour of discussion about the top five players. It wasn’t anything I didn’t already know, but it was good to be refreshed right before the ping pong balls danced their way out of the machine.

I had my good luck charm (my son) sit up with me on the couch and watch the Draft, and I told him this is the year the Leafs are going to draft a game changer, so remember you watched it with your old man. He’s only two and a half, so really, I’m sure he didn’t’ really care what I had to say, he was just happy to be staying up past his bedtime, watching hockey with his Dad, eating chips.

As the Draft begun and the names of the teams started to pop up, I felt nervous but very excited at the same time. Seeing the Edmonton Oilers pop up with the fourth pick overall was a great moment for all hockey fans, Maple Leafs fans especially. I was overwhelmed with anticipation at this time, thinking not only do the Leafs have a top three pick guaranteed, but Edmonton is out! A win-win as I am sure a lot of fans can relate and are sick of the Oil getting first overall year after year.

The final three, oh how sweet it was to see Columbus’ name pop up and know it’s a guarantee the Leafs have one of Laine or Matthews, both whom which I think will be all-star players in the future. No words, slang or emoticon can tell you how I felt when Toronto won the first overall pick. I jumped off the couch, did a fist pump and danced around the room, who knows what came out of my mouth at the time. But one thing is certain, tears of joy leaked out of my eyes as I felt this is it, the biggest leap forward in Toronto since I can remember.

It really was a euphoric moment.

Perhaps this is a taste of what a cup win feels like. My phone vibrated for 40 minutes straight, and I had to keep wiping my face as my vision was blurred from watering eyes. Matthews is going to be a Toronto Maple Leaf.

Now it’s time for the upper management to make some very important decisions.

Does Toronto have a better shot now of signing Jimmy Vesey? What about free agent Steven Stamkos?

If you ask me, I think the odds haven’t changed at all. Stamkos has already made his mind up, whether he is staying or going. Now, what team he goes to, perhaps that could come down to money, perhaps it comes down to playing in his home town. One thing is certain; Toronto has a boat load of money and could easily fit Stamkos in at 10 million a season. Will they go that route, and does Stamkos want to leave Tampa, that there is a whole other story. Time will tell as the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs continue, and as of now Stammer is still recovering from his blood clot/rib removal.

Vesey and Boston may have a link, but his dad being part of Toronto’s scouting department and the influx of high end young talent on the Leafs, it just may be that he does have Toronto at the top of his list. All we can do is hope this management team, coaching staff and new direction of the team is able to pry away quality free agents unlike ever before.
Zaitsev being signed on a one year deal could be one of many quality additions the Leafs plan on adding over the summer. The 24 year old Russian was signed just two days after the Maple Leafs won the Matthews sweepstakes. Nikita Zaitsev has NHL skating ability and a boomer of a slap shot, one that actually hits the net. Many say he was the best defensemen in the KHL; he had 26 points in 46 games this season, putting him in the top ten in points per game for defensemen. Zaitsev who learned the defensive part of the game before upgrading his offensive prowess has a niche for getting the puck through to the net, kind of like how Cody Franson used to for the Leafs. Thankfully, Zaistev has twice the skating ability, but isn’t the most physical defensemen, he uses his heads up play to break up plays and is excellent at breaking the puck out of his own zone. Look for the right handed Russian to slot into the top four for the Maple Leafs in the 2016/17 season.

Pittsburgh’s first round pick. This here is where Mr. Hunter is going to need to pluck a gem in the rough. Whether or not the Leafs end up selecting a player in the 25-30 range, or make a splash and take a run at a better quality pick in the first round. With so many picks obtained in this year’s and next year’s draft, Toronto is holding some trading chips, including a number of prospects who could also be thrown into the mix if the Leafs like the looks of a certain player that will fit their style going forward. I’d be very surprised to see Toronto trade down again this year, and I’m really hoping they either move up with Pittsburgh’s first rounder, or use that first round pick and whatever else needs to be included to upgrade our goaltending.

So far Shanahan has done nothing but weave a basket of glory for the Maple Leafs. Bringing in Babcock, Lamoriello, now winning the first overall pick and scooping up Zaitsez, things are looking up in Leafs Nation. With all this hype, all I can do is wonder what’s next on the agenda.

Could this season be going better for the Leafs young prospect Mitch Marner?

It just got better as the youngster was presented with the Red Tilson Trophy, giving him the honors of the most outstanding player of the OHL. Marner of course was humble giving credit to his teammates saying that “it wouldn’t have happened without my teammates”. Mitch is in great company of former Leafs who won the award, going all the way back to the glory days, to the modern era starting with George Armstrong, followed by Frank Mahovlich and my favorite Dougie Gilmour. Leafs prospect Connor Brown won the award in 2014 and will have a very good chance of joining the Buds out of training camp next season.

Thanks for reading!

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