When it came across on Twitter recently that the Atlanta Thrashers had signed talented youngster Bryan Little to a three year contract extension, it brought back the bad memory of the 2006 NHL Draft. The Leafs selected 13th in the first round and according to numerous Toronto media sources prior to that draft, Toronto was keenly interested in selecting the center, who scored 109 points for the OHL’s Barrie Colts.
Little was chosen by Atlanta one pick before Toronto's chance at the podium. The Thrashers had the same win/loss record and points as Toronto, but drafted before them on the basis that they lost more games in overtime than the Leafs. Toronto GM John Ferguson Jr. proceeded to select winger Jiri Tlusty with the 13th pick. It is 20/20 hindsight to suggest that Ferguson should have known that Atlanta coveted Little and to make a trade to get ahead of them, but the example of this unfortunate circumstance just illustrates that the difference between success and failure is measured in millimeters.
While Little has a promising future as a scoring forward with a 30 goal season already under his belt, Tlusty’s career conversely has been a disappointment to this point. He played 58 games for Toronto in 2007-08 as a 19-year-old, which in retrospect probably hindered his development. Under Ron Wilson, Tlusty never showed any glimpse of having big-time scoring skill at the NHL level and at best will be a bottom six forward. He played only 16 games over two seasons with Toronto before being traded to Carolina in December 2009 to play under ex-Leaf coach Paul Maurice. His play has been similarly lackluster with the Hurricanes, shuttling between their AHL affiliate and the big club throughout the remainder of the season.
Had Toronto been fortunate to draft Little, their center ice situation might be a bit less murky than it is for the upcoming season. The "what if” scenario can be pondered regarding someone like Patrick O'Sullivan, who was drafted 56th overall in 2003, one pick before Toronto selected the almighty John Doherty or even the oft-debated organizational decision to not go to the bottom of the standings in consecutive years when Toronto had a legitimate opportunity to select young franchise players like Steven Stamkos, Drew Doughty, John Tavares or Matt Duchene.
The Leafs have young defenseman Luke Schenn and promising forward Nazem Kadri, both who could have very long and successful NHL careers, but who amongst us at this point would not want Stamkos/Doughty and Tavares/Duchene instead.
The future will tell……
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In spite of persistent rumors throughout most of the year of mutual interest between the Leafs and Toronto native Raffi Torres, the 28-year-old winger reportedly has signed a one-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks for $1 million. GM Brian Burke has been rather cryptic over the last week regarding any potential roster additions before the start of training camp. In one radio interview he indicated that this is likely the team that he is going into the season with. In other media availabilities, he has been less definitive and indicated the possibility of adding additional players by free agency or trade.
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