it's the 8th pick in a super weak draft..you can expect someone like :

Zach Hamill
Peter Mueller
Alexandre Picard
Mark Bell
Brandon Convery
Taylor Pyatt
Braydon Coburn
Derek Pouliot
Alexandre Burmistrov
Mikkel Boedker
Scott Glennie
Jonathan Aitken
Terry Ryan
Jason Weimer

But a bit worse as everything outside the top 3 is pretty questionable
- jimmy mcnaulty

Boedker just had 51 points on a low scoring team and that Couturier kid is doing pretty well.Pouliot had 102 pts in 79 games as a Dman in the WHL so he is a pretty nice prospect as well

I'm not promoting Ritchie but the scouting on him is significantly different then it was for Biggs.

From TSN draft reports in 2011 ....

Perhaps the most rugged forward to ever come out of the US development program, Biggs impressed scouts throughout the season with his robust and pro-style game. Strengths - Already built like a man, Biggs dominated his age group in terms of physical maturity and strength. Not afraid to drop the gloves or run over an opponent. Solid positional player, drives hard to the net, possesses a hard shot, strong character. Weaknesses - Feet and hands are average, limited offensive upside, lacks creativity. Prone to taking bad penalties, will need more discipline. NHL Upside - Has been compared to Los Angeles Kings' forward Kyle Clifford. Should be a tough, intimidating second or third-line winger who will battle hard.
- The Law

One goal...against Canada and Burke had to have him.

Boedker just had 51 points on a low scoring team and that Couturier kid is doing pretty well.Pouliot had 102 pts in 79 games as a Dman in the WHL so he is a pretty nice prospect as well
- GardinerExpress

Couturier is ok..205 games, career high is 13 goals and totally shut out in the playoffs this year.

Pouilot is a really good WHL player, like every single 1st round prospect ever..

One goal...against Canada and Burke had to have him.
- Woderwick

would you rather have a 40 pt penalty killer who is +10 or a 60 pt pp guy who is -15?

would you rather have a 40 pt penalty killer who is +10 or a 60 pt pp guy who is -15?
- TincupCanuck

If Biggs ever hits 40 points in a professional league the rapture would be next

I would like to see the Leafs draft Goldobin. 1 point behind Dal Colle in the OHL, and clearly has fist line size and skill. He beat Stamkos' Sarnia rookie record for goals and points.

Plus in NHL 14, he is tied with Ekblad at 70 in the draft only Bennett and Reinhart are rated higher at 71.

I would like to see the Leafs draft Goldobin. 1 point behind Dal Colle in the OHL, and clearly has fist line size and skill. He beat Stamkos' Sarnia rookie record for goals and points.

Plus in NHL 14, he is tied with Ekblad at 70 in the draft only Bennett and Reinhart are rated higher at 71.
- BurkeIlluminati

That's Yakupov actually. Goldobin's rookie year he scored 30 and 68 points.

Stamkos 17 rookie year - 63 42 50 92
Yakupov 17 rookie year - 65 49 52 101

If Biggs ever hits 40 points in a professional league the rapture would be next
- AdamFrench

I didn't necessarily mean biggs. Just trying to break the mould of only thinking offense, as is common for most leaf fans. Defense wins. But biggs can still grow. Give the prospects time to develop instead of writing them off after their first year of pro hockey.

That's Yakupov actually. Goldobin's rookie year he scored 30 and 68 points.

Stamkos 17 rookie year - 63 42 50 92
Yakupov 17 rookie year - 65 49 52 101
- AdamFrench

I knew that... just checking to see if you knew...

I would like to see the Leafs draft Goldobin. 1 point behind Dal Colle in the OHL, and clearly has fist line size and skill. He beat Stamkos' Sarnia rookie record for goals and points.

Plus in NHL 14, he is tied with Ekblad at 70 in the draft only Bennett and Reinhart are rated higher at 71.
- BurkeIlluminati

in '14 the draft stock parameters vary now.

I knew that... just checking to see if you knew...
- BurkeIlluminati

What do you guys think about the Leafs drafting Goldobin? Kadri and Goldobin line could be deadly in the future. Plus our resident Russian Kulemin appears to be on his way out. I'd rather anybody than Ritchie at this point.

What do you guys think about the Leafs drafting Goldobin? Kadri and Goldobin line could be deadly in the future. Plus our resident Russian Kulemin appears to be on his way out. I'd rather anybody than Ritchie at this point.
- BurkeIlluminati

Carlyle would murder him a some point, double homicide, Kadri and Goldobin found in a bin together...or another team ripping up the scoresheet.

I didn't necessarily mean biggs. Just trying to break the mould of only thinking offense, as is common for most leaf fans. Defense wins. But biggs can still grow. Give the prospects time to develop instead of writing them off after their first year of pro hockey.
- TincupCanuck

Not thinking offence at all...thinking making the Marlies as a full time player 1st - which may be a stretch for him - before he's shipped somewhere else.

Carlyle would murder him a some point, double homicide, Kadri and Goldobin found in a bin together...or another team ripping up the scoresheet.
- AdamFrench

But i thought we were getting Babcock next year

Not thinking offence at all...thinking making the Marlies as a full time player 1st - which may be a stretch for him - before he's shipped somewhere else.
- Woderwick

you are writing players off before they get a chance...

Were you expecting a superstar? Maybe they are developing him as a defensive PK type player?

Who has actually seen Ritchie play live? and Leafs draft both skill and grinders as previous drafts indicate, ridiculous to say they draft one way or another, for every Nazem Kadri, or Andreas Johnson there is a Tyler Biggs or Dave Broll, quit shinning a light on one player or draft year like its the end all
- PinkSock

The confusion that seems to be at the top is worrisome

Nonis said that he is more interested in the size and character and Shanny said he wasn't homerun skill. Not sure they're on the same page.... and not sure placing more importance on size and character is a smart thing.

Everything I've read about this kid suggests he much more than just a big body that scores with his size. He's talked about as having a lot of high end skill. The issue seems to be more about motivation and conditioning.

If they think they can motivate him and get him into top shape then maybe they believe they have a Bertuzzi or Lucic. If they fail then maybe he's Penner or some other big lazy (frank).
- The Law

yup.

Not thinking offence at all...thinking making the Marlies as a full time player 1st - which may be a stretch for him - before he's shipped somewhere else.
- Woderwick

I just looked at past 22nd overall picks expecting to find a load of crap...considering the 8th overall hasn't produced that much...but Giroux eberle pacioretty and matta were all picked there.

The Leafs draft and development record certainly has been poope, but I think Burke tried to change that culture

I'm not promoting Ritchie but the scouting on him is significantly different then it was for Biggs.

From TSN draft reports in 2011 ....

Perhaps the most rugged forward to ever come out of the US development program, Biggs impressed scouts throughout the season with his robust and pro-style game. Strengths - Already built like a man, Biggs dominated his age group in terms of physical maturity and strength. Not afraid to drop the gloves or run over an opponent. Solid positional player, drives hard to the net, possesses a hard shot, strong character. Weaknesses - Feet and hands are average, limited offensive upside, lacks creativity. Prone to taking bad penalties, will need more discipline. NHL Upside - Has been compared to Los Angeles Kings' forward Kyle Clifford. Should be a tough, intimidating second or third-line winger who will battle hard.
- The Law

Tuch sounds more like biggs

It works for the western conference and the boston bruins. This is the culture change they talk about. Its not all about offense. Kessel and Kadri types wont win you anything. You need big mobile guys to control the boards and cycle down low. You don't win games trying to score off the rush while cherry picking and not back checking. Give him, Gauttier and Biggs a shot. Typical leafs fan...looking for instant 80 pt players or they are a bust
- TincupCanuck

I understand defense is important, but you're not going to defend the puck all the way into the other team's net. You need the Kessels and Kadris, just as much as you need the shut-down players.

Thing is, you can find the shut-down players later in the draft. Early in the draft, you're looking for game-breaking skill- something you have a much harder time finding in the later rounds.

I've got hope that Gauthier will be a good shut-down center, but when you look at some of the top shut-down guys around the league, they were still putting up big points in junior, not struggling to hit ppg in the Q.

Biggs was a waste of a pick. Hated it then, wanted to give him a chance, but again, couldn't even hit ppg in junior. At the time, I wanted a guy like Phillips, Saad, Jenner, or Rattie... lemme tell you, all those guys are looking better than Biggs right now.

Biggs wasn't selected for his defensive play, btw... he was selected because they were hoping he'd be a Lucic clone. Mean player who'd go into the corners, punish defenders, and screen the goalie.

Adam French: Mockable Mock Draft : The Toronto Maple Leafs Select...
- AdamFrench

I think Calgary picks this guy at #8

I just looked at past 22nd overall picks expecting to find a load of crap...considering the 8th overall hasn't produced that much...but Giroux eberle pacioretty and matta were all picked there.

The Leafs draft and development record certainly has been poope, but I think Burke tried to change that culture
- TincupCanuck

Not sure what any of those players picked at 22nd have to do with Biggs. I've watched Biggs play - lots. The NHL will be a stretch for him and my money is on the Leafs losing patience with him during his long "development" especially if his ceiling is only 4th line duties.

I understand defense is important, but you're not going to defend the puck all the way into the other team's net. You need the Kessels and Kadris, just as much as you need the shut-down players.

Thing is, you can find the shut-down players later in the draft. Early in the draft, you're looking for game-breaking skill- something you have a much harder time finding in the later rounds.

I've got hope that Gauthier will be a good shut-down center, but when you look at some of the top shut-down guys around the league, they were still putting up big points in junior, not struggling to hit ppg in the Q.

Biggs was a waste of a pick. Hated it then, wanted to give him a chance, but again, couldn't even hit ppg in junior. At the time, I wanted a guy like Phillips, Saad, Jenner, or Rattie... lemme tell you, all those guys are looking better than Biggs right now.

Biggs wasn't selected for his defensive play, btw... he was selected because they were hoping he'd be a Lucic clone. Mean player who'd go into the corners, punish defenders, and screen the goalie.
- Feeling Glucky?

that's exactly what they are trying to develop in him. By all accounts his defense and PK ability is already there. He's not going to become that top6 PF, but there is still hope that he can still turn out to be a strong defensive player that will punish players.

I just looked at past 22nd overall picks expecting to find a load of crap...considering the 8th overall hasn't produced that much...but Giroux eberle pacioretty and matta were all picked there.

The Leafs draft and development record certainly has been poope, but I think Burke tried to change that culture
- TincupCanuck

Yes. That's what happens when you look for skill. You find it.

When all you're looking for is size, you get Biggs.