I was talking to a Red Wings scout last week, his name is Francois, and he said that he couldn't understand Toronto fan's distaste with either player. His exact quote "Both are overpaid, sure, but Komi is their meanest player and quietly one of, if not the, main leader in their room. If they play him as a 5/6 his value is absurd. Connolly is a versitile player, underrated toughness and penalty killing. Well liked, leader, and he is always hurt because hes a maniac and for a team thin on centre you'd think he'd be more popular."

This guy watches more live hockey and talks to more NHL people than anyone on this board, so its worth knowing considering that maybe the hatred you have for these two players is emoitional and not based on anything real.
- Jimmy_Tea

Degree in probability theory? Check.

Degree in literature? Check.

Critical thinking professor? Check.

Talking to a Red Wings scout named Francois? Check.

Please, keep adding to this list.

Additionally, here's the list of Red Wings scouts.

Mark Howe - Director of Pro Scouting
Glenn Merkosky - Pro Scout
Joe McDonnell - Director of Amateur Scouting
Bruce Haralson - Pro Scout
Kirk Maltby - Pro Scout
Mark Leach - Amateur Scout
David Kolb - Amateur Scout
Jeff Finley - Amateur Scout
Hakan Andersson - Director of European Scouting
Vladimir Havluj - European Scout
Evgeni Erfilov - European Scout
Ari Vouri - European Scout
Nikolai Vakourov - European Scout
Marty Stein - Part-Time Scout

As you can tell, every second scout there is named Francois.

I would rather a full rebuild then just a couple years in the playoffs, I want to see the Stanley Cup hoisted before I am dead. Making the playoffs and then getting elminated just hurts the Leafs position in the draft.
- Leafsfan9329

If you really believe this, then you should know that we are in the midst of a "true rebuild" and if you look at were we were in December 2008 compared to now, things are on the right track. Burke has added nearly 10 high end first rounders to his team and the team is growing together and is only getting better.

If you mean what you said about the playoffs then you must agree Burke is going about this the right way.

If you really believe this, then you should know that we are in the midst of a "true rebuild" and if you look at were we were in December 2008 compared to now, things are on the right track. Burke has added nearly 10 high end first rounders to his team and the team is growing together and is only getting better.

If you mean what you said about the playoffs then you must agree Burke is going about this the right way.
- Jimmy_Tea

Just gonna say that, since almost everyone knows you're a canucks fan, your act lost quite a bit of its luster. But still, keep going.

I was talking to a Red Wings scout last week, his name is Francois, and he said that he couldn't understand Toronto fan's distaste with either player. His exact quote "Both are overpaid, sure, but Komi is their meanest player and quietly one of, if not the, main leader in their room. If they play him as a 5/6 his value is absurd. Connolly is a versitile player, underrated toughness and penalty killing. Well liked, leader, and he is always hurt because hes a maniac and for a team thin on centre you'd think he'd be more popular."

This guy watches more live hockey and talks to more NHL people than anyone on this board, so its worth knowing considering that maybe the hatred you have for these two players is emoitional and not based on anything real.
- Jimmy_Tea

Don't worry, Francios, it's real.

To be fair, if we are doing a complete crap the bed rebuild not even trying to improve the team for 5 years Edmonton style rebuild i could be the GM. I have indoor soccer Monday nights is all so i'm unavailable then.
- walshyleafsfan1

Edmonton has gotten unbeleivably lucky, and thats only assuming that Hall and Yakopov work out to their potential, which there is no guarentee. The idea that you can just lose for five years and magically have an awesome team is one of the biggest jokes in hockey. Ask the friggin islanders, panthers or thrashers how that is working out. Washington got OV, Backstrom and Green in the first round over a few years and they havnt done anything. The Devils, Red Wings and Avalanche (they actually traded Lindros, so kind of a bad example) were the dominant teams for 15 years and none of them were built through the draft. Boston won the cup, but Thornton wasnt around when they did. NO, Pittsburgh and Chicago are the only real built through the draft teams to win it all lately and I think we can all agree what pittsburgh did couldnt be replicated with the first overall pick ten years in a row. As for Chicago, they don't win it if Keith and Seabrooke don't go from mid- tier teenagers to superstars. Again, pure luck.

A proper rebuild just doesnt work. You know what does though? Trading for high ceiling players in their twenties.

Edmonton has gotten unbeleivably lucky, and thats only assuming that Hall and Yakopov work out to their potential, which there is no guarentee. The idea that you can just lose for five years and magically have an awesome team is one of the biggest jokes in hockey. Ask the friggin islanders, panthers or thrashers how that is working out. Washington got OV, Backstrom and Green in the first round over a few years and they havnt done anything. The Devils, Red Wings and Avalanche (they actually traded Lindros, so kind of a bad example) were the dominant teams for 15 years and none of them were built through the draft. Boston won the cup, but Thornton wasnt around when they did. NO, Pittsburgh and Chicago are the only real built through the draft teams to win it all lately and I think we can all agree what pittsburgh did couldnt be replicated with the first overall pick ten years in a row. As for Chicago, they don't win it if Keith and Seabrooke don't go from mid- tier teenagers to superstars. Again, pure luck.

A proper rebuild just doesnt work. You know what does though? Trading for high ceiling players in their twenties.
- Jimmy_Tea

I agree 100%

Washington got OV, Backstrom and Green in the first round over a few years and they havnt done anything.
- Jimmy_Tea

No, ask the Canucks. Now that's a team that hasn't won anything. Like literally, ever.

Degree in probability theory? Check.

Degree in literature? Check.

Critical thinking professor? Check.

Talking to a Red Wings scout named Francois? Check.

Please, keep adding to this list.

Additionally, here's the list of Red Wings scouts.

Mark Howe - Director of Pro Scouting
Glenn Merkosky - Pro Scout
Joe McDonnell - Director of Amateur Scouting
Bruce Haralson - Pro Scout
Kirk Maltby - Pro Scout
Mark Leach - Amateur Scout
David Kolb - Amateur Scout
Jeff Finley - Amateur Scout
Hakan Andersson - Director of European Scouting
Vladimir Havluj - European Scout
Evgeni Erfilov - European Scout
Ari Vouri - European Scout
Nikolai Vakourov - European Scout
Marty Stein - Part-Time Scout

As you can tell, every second scout there is named Francois.
- Two_For_Truth

And you don't think that teams employ dozens of extra scouts to watch games and film? Come on dude. Ill ask him if I can give you his email address if you really want.

I was talking to a Red Wings scout last week, his name is Francois, and he said that he couldn't understand Toronto fan's distaste with either player. His exact quote "Both are overpaid, sure, but Komi is their meanest player and quietly one of, if not the, main leader in their room. If they play him as a 5/6 his value is absurd. Connolly is a versitile player, underrated toughness and penalty killing. Well liked, leader, and he is always hurt because hes a maniac and for a team thin on centre you'd think he'd be more popular."

This guy watches more live hockey and talks to more NHL people than anyone on this board, so its worth knowing considering that maybe the hatred you have for these two players is emoitional and not based on anything real.
- Jimmy_Tea

Well said! I'm sure the "know it alls" will bash you for this but what do they know.

What to trade for luongo..

Bozak, 2nd Rounder 2014, Ashton, Komisarek.

If we can sign franson cheap id rather keep him. Need some depth still back there

Just gonna say that, since almost everyone knows you're a canucks fan, your act lost quite a bit of its luster. But still, keep going.
- Pecafan Fan

What? Honest to god I don't know what this point means? What act? The one where I logically lay out arguments instead of just spouting off opinions with nothing to back it up? wow!

No, ask the Canucks. Now that's a team that hasn't won anything. Like literally, ever.
- Two_For_Truth

I can't remember the last time the Canucks lost a game to the Leafs... or had less points during the regular season... or didn't make it as far in the playoffs.

Only 1 team wins the Cup every year, and for some strange reason you Leafs fans think that makes you equal to the other 28 teams that didn't win the Cup.

Edmonton has gotten unbeleivably lucky, and thats only assuming that Hall and Yakopov work out to their potential, which there is no guarentee. The idea that you can just lose for five years and magically have an awesome team is one of the biggest jokes in hockey. Ask the friggin islanders, panthers or thrashers how that is working out. Washington got OV, Backstrom and Green in the first round over a few years and they havnt done anything. The Devils, Red Wings and Avalanche (they actually traded Lindros, so kind of a bad example) were the dominant teams for 15 years and none of them were built through the draft. Boston won the cup, but Thornton wasnt around when they did. NO, Pittsburgh and Chicago are the only real built through the draft teams to win it all lately and I think we can all agree what pittsburgh did couldnt be replicated with the first overall pick ten years in a row. As for Chicago, they don't win it if Keith and Seabrooke don't go from mid- tier teenagers to superstars. Again, pure luck.

A proper rebuild just doesnt work. You know what does though? Trading for high ceiling players in their twenties.
- Jimmy_Tea

How did Colorado get Forsberg and Sakic? The Wings get Yzerman and Fedorov, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen, Kronwall, Lidstrom? You don't need to draft your whole team, but most great teams start with one superstar, hell going with the Lindros trade, if they never drafted him they wouldn't have the assets for any deal.

they've missed the playoffs for 8 straight years... would be another 5 at least if they play the kids (who aren't even that great)... so you'd be looking at 10 years before the Leafs are competitive. That's 20 years of ugly hockey. Add that to the 40 years since 1967 and you are at 60 years... a lifetime of awful hockey.
- Scooby_Doo

1970's was not all ugly, in fact, most was good.....80's was ugly but playoffs were exciting, early 90's were great here, as were the late 90's and early 2000's....everything else post lockout..... anyways, stop generalizing.

And you don't think that teams employ dozens of extra scouts to watch games and film? Come on dude. Ill ask him if I can give you his email address if you really want.
- Jimmy_Tea

Dozens? You sure that number is correct? Shouldn't it be hundreds? Or thousands?

Better yet, just take a picture with him and his Stanley Cup rings.

I'm sure you could get that done with great ease.

I mean, it doesn't take a professor with two degrees to use a camera right?

I agree 100%
- walshyleafsfan1

Well thanks, its good to know that theres people on here interested in actually talking hockey and not just shtting all over everything I say due to some misunderstnad or another.

I can't remember the last time the Canucks lost a game to the Leafs... or had less points during the regular season... or didn't make it as far in the playoffs.

Only 1 team wins the Cup every year, and for some strange reason you Leafs fans think that makes you equal to the other 28 teams that didn't win the Cup.
- Scooby_Doo

Good for the Canucks. Too bad it doesn't count for jack all.

Now, take your Canuck troll posing as a Leafs fan and run along.

How did Colorado get Forsberg and Sakic? The Wings get Yzerman and Fedorov, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen, Kronwall, Lidstrom?
- AdamFrench

Irrelevant.

Dozens? You sure that number is correct? Shouldn't it be hundreds? Or thousands?

Better yet, just take a picture with him and his Stanley Cup rings.

I'm sure you could get that done with great ease.

I mean, it doesn't take a professor with two degrees to use a camera right?
- Two_For_Truth

Maybe he meant the Detroit Tigers?

What to trade for luongo..

Bozak, 2nd Rounder 2014, Ashton, Komisarek.

If we can sign franson cheap id rather keep him. Need some depth still back there
- Mapleleafs_91

From the hockey forcaster scouting report on Carter Ashton "Failed to score in 15 games but he is huge and has a high ceiling. Potential steal for the Leafs"

Not sure why Ashton is always a guy people hate one. Also, Bozak is our best centre. Actually your trade makes me want to puke. As I said, I'd give them the choice of Frattin/Colbourne and Percey/Finn gotta give up something to get something. Thats just me though. I think Aston probably is better than Frattin long term and that Bozak is going to have to be our Batista.

Maybe he meant the Detroit Tigers?
- mykokes

Maybe he found someone as demented as him wearing a Red Wings jacket?

Also, Bozak is our best centre.








I'm (frank)ing dying here

How did Colorado get Forsberg and Sakic? The Wings get Yzerman and Fedorov, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen, Kronwall, Lidstrom? You don't need to draft your whole team, but most great teams start with one superstar, hell going with the Lindros trade, if they never drafted him they wouldn't have the assets for any deal.
- AdamFrench

No, you are right, but those were not the rebuilds people are talking about when they say Burke should have done a rebuild the right way. That was my point, of course they drafted players but I think people mean that Burke should have sat on his hands for five years and picked top 3. That those teams did not do that was my point. Quebec kind of did, but they traded 2 of their number one overall picks.

Foresberg was drafted 5th., BY Philly. Traded in the Lindros trade.

Bozak is going to have to be our Batista.
- Jimmy_Tea

Is your degree in probability theory kicking in on this one?

Or was that the degree in literature?

No, it was probably something that spawned from the critical thinking class.

Or maybe mykokes was right and the Red Wings scout you were talking to, doubles as a scout for the Detroit Tigers and gave you that wonderful little piece of information.

Also, Bozak is our best centre.








I'm (frank)ing dying here
- Pecafan Fan

Ok then, whose are best centre? Grabbo? Debatable.