Drew Doughty says hi.
- Two_For_Truth

So do Jeff carter, mike Richards, rob scuderi.. Justin Williams.. And another 80% of the team that wasn't drafted by la

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'
- Viktory

They drafted Steve Yzerman, arguably one of the best centers in the past 30 years who won three Cups on the ice and one in the front office. Needless to say, it was enough to build a franchise around. When the Leafs draft a guy like that and a guy like Lidstrom in the 3rd round, you let me know.

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.
- Two_For_Truth

Really?

They're building with Kessel, not around Kessel. Ive accepted it.

So do Jeff carter, mike Richards, rob scuderi.. Justin Williams.. And another 80% of the team that wasn't drafted by la
- joel878

How did they acquire Richards? Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmons.

Kopitar? Drafted. Brown? Drafted. Quick? Drafted.

Let me know when the Leafs can draft those types of guys because they never have been before. Maybe, just maybe, if they drafted at the top, for a change, they might have better odds. It certainly hasn't been tried yet.

Drew Doughty says hi.
- Two_For_Truth

Anyways if Kessel can be traded for 2 Top 5 picks, you won't find anyone disagreeing. But you risk those picks being lower and you can't guarantee that the picks will be top 5. Nor can you force other teams to trade 2 top 5 picks.

I agree he's not the guy to build around but theres no point throwing him away for the sake of holding draft picks.

Kessel can be a 40 goal scorer and those are quite rare in this league.

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.
- Two_For_Truth

And what exactly have they done to build around Kessel? Signed Lupul who they acquired in a trade to get a defensive prospect? Trade for Phaneuf to clear the roster of deadweight? Oh, I know, it's because they've drafted Biggs. Or maybe Rielly was the piece that Kessel needs to be the guy.

I don't see it.

Really?

They're building with Kessel, not around Kessel. Ive accepted it.
- systemtool

You've accepted to ignore reality.

Really?

They're building with Kessel, not around Kessel. Ive accepted it.
- systemtool

The notion they 'need' to build around any one guy is ridiculous.

There's no set blueprint, many championship formulas are different.

And what exactly have they done to build around Kessel? Signed Lupul who they acquired in a trade to get a defensive prospect? Trade for Phaneuf to clear the roster of deadweight? Oh, I know, it's because they've drafted Biggs. Or maybe Rielly was the piece that Kessel needs to be the guy.

I don't see it.
- Viktory

Nonis has been on the job not even a month and theres enough proof that he thinks Kessel should be the best player on his team for the next decade.

They drafted Steve Yzerman, arguably one of the best centers in the past 20 years who won three Cups on the ice and one in the front office. Needless to say, it was enough to build a franchise around. When the Leafs draft a guy like that and a guy like Lidstrom in the 3rd round, you let me know.
- Two_For_Truth

what kinda poop storm is going on in here tonight..

Really?

They're building with Kessel, not around Kessel. Ive accepted it.
- systemtool

Anyways if Kessel can be traded for 2 Top 5 picks, you won't find anyone disagreeing. But you risk those picks being lower and you can't guarantee that the picks will be top 5. Nor can you force other teams to trade 2 top 5 picks.

I agree he's not the guy to build around but theres no point throwing him away for the sake of holding draft picks.
- twiztedmike

Trading away Kessel guarantees you get high end assets for him. Even if you don't get Seguin and Hamilton in return, you at least get the opportunity to draft really high because without him, the team probably nose dives for a year or two. Then, finally, you get the guy you need to build around.

Kessel can be a 40 goal scorer and those are quite rare in this league.

Unfortunately, it's not good enough. Wrong player for the wrong price at the wrong time.

You've accepted to ignore reality.
- Two_For_Truth

Yes. Your reality. Which isnt all that real to be honest.

Just because they resign Kessel, it does not mean they have no intention of finding a better player who can lead this team, with Kessel being one of the complementary pieces.

How did they acquire Richards? Brayden Schenn.

Kopitar? Drafted. Brown? Drafted. Quick? Drafted.

Let me know when the Leafs can draft those types of guys because they never have been before. Maybe, just maybe, if they drafted at the top, for a change, they might have better odds. It certainly hasn't been tried yet.
- Two_For_Truth

Brown was drafted in the 2nd Round. Kopitar was outside the top ten. Quick was drafted 72nd overall. Bernier was drafted to be the Top Flight Goalie. Doughty was their only Top 5 pick they've had that worked out. Remember Hickey the 4th overall?

The organization drafted well, not at the top every year.

How did they acquire Richards? Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmons.

Kopitar? Drafted. Brown? Drafted. Quick? Drafted.

Let me know when the Leafs can draft those types of guys because they never have been before. Maybe, just maybe, if they drafted at the top, for a change, they might have better odds. It certainly hasn't been tried yet.
- Two_For_Truth

By trading draft picks.. And prospects. Trick question?

You need to stop breathing your act in people's faces like its the word of god. You've been doing it for years.

This is a professional sport. There is no set standard for building a championship game that everyone on earth has been missing out on, except you. Every championship team has been built differently.

Brown was drafted in the 2nd Round. Kopitar was outside the top ten. Quick was drafted 72nd overall. Bernier was drafted to be the Top Flight Goalie. Doughty was their only Top 5 pick they've had that worked out. Remember Hickey the 4th overall?

The organization drafted well, not at the top every year.
- Viktory

Truth bomb...

How did they acquire Richards? Brayden Schenn.

Kopitar? Drafted. Brown? Drafted. Quick? Drafted.

Let me know when the Leafs can draft those types of guys because they never have been before. Maybe, just maybe, if they drafted at the top, for a change, they might have better odds. It certainly hasn't been tried yet.
- Two_For_Truth

Kadri?
Schenn? - Traded for JVR (2nd overall)

Yes, we would all prefer Seguin and Hamilton but you don't get that if we trade Kessel for 2 picks we won't get players as good as those 2.

Komisarek was a top 5
Phaneuf was a top 10

And what exactly have they done to build around Kessel? Signed Lupul who they acquired in a trade to get a defensive prospect? Trade for Phaneuf to clear the roster of deadweight? Oh, I know, it's because they've drafted Biggs. Or maybe Rielly was the piece that Kessel needs to be the guy.

I don't see it.
- Viktory

Generally and historically speaking, the team is built around the most talented player. Keeping Lupul is one way of showing they are planning to keep Kessel and continue trying to build around him. Notice how the talk is always about "getting a center for Kessel"? That's a sign they're building around him. He's the guy they're going to pay the most.

what kinda poop storm is going on in here tonight..
- wingz4life

We're all trying to find the perfect combination to bring Luongo to Toronto.

Trading away Kessel guarantees you get high end assets for him. Even if you don't get Seguin and Hamilton in return, you at least get the opportunity to draft really high because without him, the team probably nose dives for a year or two. Then, finally, you get the guy you need to build around.



Unfortunately, it's not good enough. Wrong player for the wrong price at the wrong time.
- Two_For_Truth

^.. Speculation.

There have been many a poop team to make the playoffs, that should have probably drafted first overall. Icing a poopty team increases your odds, but it doesn't guarantee anything.

Generally and historically speaking, the team is built around the most talented player. Keeping Lupul is one way of showing they are planning to keep Kessel and continue trying to build around him. Notice how the talk is always about "getting a center for Kessel"? That's a sign they're building around him. He's the guy they're going to pay the most.
- Two_For_Truth

Yes lets just trade away every good player so we can just draft every (frank)ing year 1st overall into the end of time

Yes. Your reality. Which isnt all that real to be honest.

Just because they resign Kessel, it does not mean they have no intention of finding a better player who can lead this team, with Kessel being one of the complementary pieces.
- systemtool

Yup, the player they are going to build around is just going to appear out of thin air.

We're all trying to find the perfect combination to bring Luongo to Toronto.
- systemtool

lou trade would make van better like a nash trade made the jackets better..

Yup, the player they are going to build around is just going to appear out of thin air.
- Two_For_Truth

I forgot that in the new CBA you can't make any more trades you can only draft

x

Yup, the player they are going to build around is just going to appear out of thin air.
- Two_For_Truth

how long has calgary been looking for a C for iginla? 10-12 years?