So.. If the Leafs win the cup (and the wont cuz they suck) you wouldn't say Kessel Phaneuf Gardiner Grabo and Lupul weren't key pieces to their success? Doesn't matter how you acquire good players.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Lol there is no way in hell the leafs win with that core.

That's exactly my point.

I think you've forgotten the Cujo/Belfour years.

Believe me, it's the most important position in hockey, and can do wonders for a team
- AngryWhiteMale

We got those guys as UFAs and there wasnt a cap then.

so a team of Kessel, lupul, Getzlaf, Perry, JVR, Phaneuf, Gardiner, Rielly, Gunner, Kadri, Grabo, Luongo isn't enough to contend in your mind?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Yes that team would contend I don't dispute that but I'm sick & tired of the Leafs selling the farm to have a 2 year playoff window only to be followed by 10 years of mediocrity. I wanna be like a Detroit, like a Philadelphia, like a Boston, like a Vancouver where we are a regular contender every season . Much like we were under Pat Quinn from 1999 to 2004. Where year after year we never had a doubt the Leafs would make the playoffs every year.

Who??

Goalie?? Nope

Defense?? Nope

They only drafted 5 guys from that team
- faceto27

Do you really think they win without krecji or lucic?

Not a chance in hell.

Like are winning the cup this year.


Leafs in 3.

Yes that team would contend I don't dispute that but I'm sick & tired of the Leafs selling the farm to have a 2 year playoff window only to be followed by 10 years of mediocrity. I wanna be like a Detroit, like a Philadelphia, like a Boston, like a Vancouver where we are a regular contender every season . Much like we were under Pat Quinn from 1999 to 2004. Where year after year we never had a doubt the Leafs would make the playoffs every year.
- GCHonda

u have to draft and develop well. you can keep your picks all you want. the picks you make have to be hits more than misses. Difference between teams like Calgary/Columbus and the teams u mentioned.

Some take it harder than others i guess.. But im sure that if the leafs don't improve at all in 5 years i could still come on this site and read the same old comments about how they should tank etc.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Ok let me clarify.

Do I think they should tank on purpose?

No way.

Do I think they should play the youth and just let the chips fall where they may?

Yes, absolutely.

Do you really think they win without krecji or lucic?

Not a chance in hell.
- Dozzer

LA won with core players that weren't drafted by them.

So.. If the Leafs win the cup (and the wont cuz they suck) you wouldn't say Kessel Phaneuf Gardiner Grabo and Lupul weren't key pieces to their success? Doesn't matter how you acquire good players.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

If those guys were key pieces, the team would have made the playoffs by now.

LA won with core players that weren't drafted by them.
- jbold

kopitar, doughty,quick.

LA won with core players that weren't drafted by them.
- jbold

Yes, but they built their core before aquiring those players. They also used key players they drafted to get the rest of the core. Their team is built from the draft, both directly and indirectly.

Do you really think they win without krecji or lucic?

Not a chance in hell.
- Dozzer

Here you can add the Anaheim ducks to that list

Majority of their players also acquired through trades and free agency

Could probably go through all the teams and make a case

How about you find me a team that has at least half of the team drafted by them

kopitar, doughty,quick.
- wingz4life

That's 3 lol.

Carter, Richards, Stoll, their defense outside of Doughty...

Here you can add the Anaheim ducks to that list

Majority of their players also acquired through trades and free agency

Could probably go through all the teams and make a case

How about you find me a team that has at least half of the team drafted by them
- faceto27

wings 2008

LA won with core players that weren't drafted by them.
- jbold

What?!?

I guess kopitar Bernier and doughty don't count huh?

You need to have your own developed core first, that's when you make moves to augment the roster.

Here you can add the Anaheim ducks to that list

Majority of their players also acquired through trades and free agency

Could probably go through all the teams and make a case

How about you find me a team that has at least half of the team drafted by them
- faceto27

Again, they drafted the core in Perry and Getzlaf for example and then added other vital pieces.

Yes that team would contend I don't dispute that but I'm sick & tired of the Leafs selling the farm to have a 2 year playoff window only to be followed by 10 years of mediocrity. I wanna be like a Detroit, like a Philadelphia, like a Boston, like a Vancouver where we are a regular contender every season . Much like we were under Pat Quinn from 1999 to 2004. Where year after year we never had a doubt the Leafs would make the playoffs every year.
- GCHonda

Pat Quinn was a great coach and an ok GM. Players played for Quinn. Those are the good ole days that i fondly look back on. The leafs drafted no one during that time (that i can recall) and i was excited about watching the team. I honestly think there needs to be a balance between young guys (drafted or not) and veterans. We have the young guys, lets bring in the vets.

That's 3 lol.

Carter, Richards, Stoll, their defense outside of Doughty...
- jbold

Again, they added Carter and Richards because they drafted well. It all comes down to the draft, and its the draft that allowed LA to get all their core players.

Here you can add the Anaheim ducks to that list

Majority of their players also acquired through trades and free agency

Could probably go through all the teams and make a case

How about you find me a team that has at least half of the team drafted by them
- faceto27

You aren't listening. The core is 3-5 guys that the team is built around.

Not saying you have to draft the whole team, I never said that once. But your core needs at LEAST 3 or 4 guys that you built the team around.

Pat Quinn was a great coach and an ok GM. Players played for Quinn. Those are the good ole days that i fondly look back on. The leafs drafted no one during that time (that i can recall) and i was excited about watching the team. I honestly think there needs to be a balance between young guys (drafted or not) and veterans. We have the young guys, lets bring in the vets.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Two words. Salary Cap.

You cant buy teams like you did then.

The young guys we have now are not ready, and in many cases, not good enough.

You aren't listening. The core is 3-5 guys that the team is built around.

Not saying you have to draft the whole team, I never said that once. But your core needs at LEAST 3 or 4 guys that you built the team around.
- Dozzer

yes!

Ok let me clarify.

Do I think they should tank on purpose?

No way.

Do I think they should play the youth and just let the chips fall where they may?

Yes, absolutely.
- Dozzer

I agree,, but add some vets and a good goalie

What?!?

I guess kopitar Bernier and doughty don't count huh?

You need to have your own developed core first, that's when you make moves to augment the roster.
- Dozzer

Those aren't core players. They suck.

Trade them to the Leafs for a 2nd rounder.

Again, they added Carter and Richards because they drafted well. It all comes down to the draft, and its the draft that allowed LA to get all their core players.
- systemtool

The kings drafted and developed a solid core of guys which allowed them to move prospects for other guys to help them win it all.

But you don't start moving those guys until you're sure you got a solid NHL ready core first.

I agree,, but add some vets and a good goalie
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Get the key guys first, and make sure they are ready.

Then add what you need to fill holes.