because it's pointless - you know it isn't going to. Or do you just enjoy banging your head against the wall?
- Big_Lightnin

By that logic, everything discussed here is pointless. What's the point then?

same amount of useful insight as you normally offer

Oh, you were expecting "get Luongo, sign Getzlaf and Perry and make sure the parade goes down Yonge Street"?

Because there's absolutely no connection to the Oilers or the city of Edmonton?

The Oilers are worth envying because they've make the necessary sacrifice to give their fans a decade or more of spectacular hockey and a damn good chance at winning the Cup, something the Leafs should wake up and do.
- Two_For_Truth

Connections? This is just sports. You can cheer for any team you like. Especially if they're doing all things you think the team you cheer for should be doing.

The Leafs are not going to do what Edmonton did. So instead of trying to move a mountain with will power, maybe you should just go with what works.

Well, I guess if you want to see the grass as orange, who am i to tell you it's green. Carry on...7.5+ and walking.
- systemtool

Meh.

You say "tomato," I say "go (frank) yourself!" Just kidding

Carry on... No chance of walking and resigning for a discount

Why not just cheer for the Oilers then? Why cheer for a team to be like the Oilers when the Oilers are right there for anyone to cheer?

If its all negative, why obsess? Just buy an Eberle jersey and stop being miserable.
- systemtool

Please, the Oilers are playing Fantasy hockey practically. Looks like theyre going to be drafting first overall again! They don't win games they win drafts

Go ahead and cheer for that LMAO.

Seriously, does it take 10 years of drafting first overall to finally build a good team?

I think that falls under retention, 8 years.

Toronto could offer Kessel 8 years because he is Leafs property and they are retaining him. Every other team could other offer him 7.
- As_I_See_It

ya looked it up again. Dunno where I got 2 years. I as thinking 5 and 7 yrs - I think that's what it was initially reported as or offered as and it stuck in my head.

so the extra year is still leverage though. not as much obviously...

Detroit didn't tank, yet remained an Elite franchise until Lidstrom retired. And yes, they had Elite talent drafted throughout the years. I think the motto you've bought into is shameless.
- Viktory

Detroit comes up every single day and everybody always forgets that they drafted Yzerman 4th overall. And Primeau 3rd overall whom they used to acquire Shanahan.

When the Leafs prove they can draft the next Lidstrom in the 3rd round, then, maybe, we can talk about the Leafs being able to build their team without tanking. Until then, the Leafs suck at drafting and have no other options.

oh hell not this again...
- Big_Lightnin

By that logic, everything discussed here is pointless. What's the point then?
- Two_For_Truth

only when you're here

Oh, you were expecting "get Luongo, sign Getzlaf and Perry and make sure the parade goes down Yonge Street"?

ya cause I've always been one of those...

Please, the Oilers are playing Fantasy hockey practically. Looks like theyre going to be drafting first overall again! They don't win games they win drafts

Go ahead and cheer for that LMAO.

Seriously, does it take 10 years of drafting first overall to finally build a good team?
- twiztedmike

Yea, no kidding....

Yes, the GM, Dave Nonis. His core guys are obvious. That's who he is building around. They can try and find better all they want but they won't get it until they trade who they have now to get it. Nobody is going to give you Crosby for Kessel. But, if you give up Kessel for some top prospects and picks, maybe, you tank hard enough to find the next superstar. That's the reality of their situation. By keeping Kessel, they're pretty much guaranteeing that he is the best player they are going to have. Hence why it's obvious that they're building around him. It's foolish but it's what they're going to end up doing.

Unless of course they pull a miracle out of their ass and start drafting superstars in unconventional places, something that not only has Nonis never done but the Leafs have never done as a franchise.
- Two_For_Truth

And 3/10 times those prospects turn into a player like Kessel
7/10 times they bust or become mediocre players
and 1/10000 times you get a Crosby

They are building with Kessel, not around Kessel.

Nonis just got the job. Lets be patient. Lets not pin the failures of past GMs on him.
- systemtool

They're going to try and build around him and it's obvious. With him on the team, and their crappy drafting record, it's highly unlikely they get anybody better to build around. Teams are usually built around the most talented player and that's where they are most likely headed.

Yea, no kidding....
- systemtool

LA didnt win the cup because of them drafting 1st overall 5 years in a row ill tell you that much

Connections? This is just sports. You can cheer for any team you like. Especially if they're doing all things you think the team you cheer for should be doing.

The Leafs are not going to do what Edmonton did. So instead of trying to move a mountain with will power, maybe you should just go with what works.
- systemtool

The team being from Toronto and connections to that team matter. There's a reason why each team has a city it plays in. It represents that city. The city matters.

And 3/10 times those prospects turn into a player like Kessel
7/10 times they bust or become mediocre players
and 1/10000 times you get a Crosby
- twiztedmike

There were 10,000 drafts? And only one superstar in the history of the game?

Wow.

They're going to try and build around him and it's obvious. With him on the team, and their crappy drafting record, it's highly unlikely they get anybody better to build around. Teams are usually built around the most talented player and that's where they are most likely headed.
- Two_For_Truth

With him, not around him.

LA didnt win the cup because of them drafting 1st overall 5 years in a row ill tell you that much
- twiztedmike

and it took almost 10 years from the year they drafted Brown

LA didnt win the cup because of them drafting 1st overall 5 years in a row ill tell you that much
- twiztedmike

Edmonton will end up moving some of their talent to plug holes though.

Can't win with such a young team. But now they have an assload of assets.

I'll be stunned if both Hall and Yakupov are still with that team in 3 years. One of them will get moved for other peices.

There were 10,000 drafts? And only one superstar in the history of the game?

Wow.
- Two_For_Truth

"Oh whats an exaggeration? I'm so wise but I'm too stupid to know what that big word means!!"
-UG

Please, the Oilers are playing Fantasy hockey practically. Looks like theyre going to be drafting first overall again! They don't win games they win drafts

Go ahead and cheer for that LMAO.
- twiztedmike

And I'm sure if the Leafs had all those guys, you wouldn't like them. Sure thing.

Seriously, does it take 10 years of drafting first overall to finally build a good team?

Leafs have been at it for 45 years and still haven't built a good team.

LA didnt win the cup because of them drafting 1st overall 5 years in a row ill tell you that much
- twiztedmike

Drew Doughty says hi.

They're going to try and build around him and it's obvious. With him on the team, and their crappy drafting record, it's highly unlikely they get anybody better to build around. Teams are usually built around the most talented player and that's where they are most likely headed.
- Two_For_Truth

Whether you're right or wrong.. It doesn't matter.

As always, your entire argument is based around speculation.

Detroit comes up every single day and everybody always forgets that they drafted Yzerman 4th overall. And Primeau 3rd overall whom they used to acquire Shanahan.

When the Leafs prove they can draft the next Lidstrom in the 3rd round, then, maybe, we can talk about the Leafs being able to build their team without tanking. Until then, the Leafs suck at drafting and have no other options.
- Two_For_Truth

So they drafted... twice in the Top 5?

Then go out and hire a better scouting Staff? I think the last few years the Leafs have drafted smart, and drafting smart gets results. The Leafs are the most valuable team in the NHL. With all that money, they have plenty of 'options'

With him, not around him.
- systemtool

And where is the guy they are actually going to build around going to come from?

Thin air? Or that impeccable drafting record that both the Leafs and Nonis have?

They're building around Kessel. It sucks. I know. But accept it.

The team being from Toronto and connections to that team matter. There's a reason why each team has a city it plays in. It represents that city. The city matters.
- Two_For_Truth

And you have hated how the team has been run for decades now. So....I dont see how cheering for a team that makes you so upset is worth it. At some point, you have the choice to move if you dont like your city. Just like you can buy a different jersey if you dont like your team. its just sports. You dont have to cheer for the city you live in. I swear, you wont be arrested. I promise.

In sports, the team should matter more than the city, if the team in your city is nothing remotely close to what you want to be cheering for.

Drew Doughty says hi.
- Two_For_Truth

It was acquisitions like Carter and Richards that gave them a chance