Tampa has got a very good system, with some very good pieces signed and in the pipeline. They definitely have an edge in coaching (then again, a toaster can outwit our coach) and Stevie Y seems to be doing a solid job of loading the cupboard.

That said, the Leafs have in my (perhaps biased) opinion some of the more underrated prospects out there. Our Swedish/Euro scout has done a great job with some later round picks, including your own Stralman, and we have guys like Granberg, Tom Nilsson, Andreas Johnson, Victor Loov who are all pretty much unheard of outside of TO, but are all rounding out into very solid prospects. In addition, Matt Finn looks like he may have been a steal of a 2nd, not to mention Connor Brown for whom the only question has ever been size, not compete or skill.

The good thing is that we don't have to sit here flexing our internet muscles; being in the same division will ensure that there is always solid competition between the two teams. And regardless of what happens between our teams, I'm sure that we can both team up and pound the snot out of the Habs
- lumlums

That's the mutual goal. Prospect talk is all premature anyway, when they get to the NHL and play and prove their worth then you can talk about them. Tampa's farm system was rated 4th this year but means there is unrealised potential that's all nothing more.

So you gave me the top forwards, then listed all Tampa's forwards being better than the Leafs (I gave Tampa the forward depth also).

You took a two-year older Bishop on a career year over Bernier but did not address the near identical career stats. (I gave them a toss-up).

You think Drouin has potential to be better than Kessel. Ok fine, but that and 2 bucks will get you a Tim's. I can also point out that many scouts said that Nylander was the most talented player at the last draft. And Connor Brown put up comparable PPG in a tougher league. (although Connor Brown was an older junior which is a red flag)

Stralman Garrison and Carle don't impress me all that much. Vancouver and NYR let Garrison and Stralman walk for nothing. As far as contracts, Stralman's is ridiculous.

You brag about your ahl scorer but don't mention that the Leafs farm team was WAY better.

... as pointed out earlier, simply mentioning prospect names means absolutely nothing to me I could do the same.

The biggest dfference between your argument and mine is that your argument is based almost entirely on potential and your guesses of how players project. The AHL results (at a team level) don't agree with you, sorry.

All you really did here was prove my point ... As much as I like the Lightning's young players, it is not a slam dunk that the Lightning offer a better supporting cast than the Leafs.
- Aetherial

You say all this but most the young players mentioned played nhl or junior last year not ahl. The guys that did play ahl? Took the Norfolk admirals/Syracuse crunch to back to back cup finals and finished first in the league in regular season. Two of the graduates scored 20+ goals in their rookie season last year with solid d. It's just a fact that tampa has more better young players and a deeper prospect pool outside of Nylander maybe Finn nobody in the pipeline for Toronto impressed me that much and I think Gardiner is extremely overrated. And if you taken Stamkos off out team then take the players you'd need to dump to afford him off yours.

So you gave me the top forwards, then listed all Tampa's forwards being better than the Leafs (I gave Tampa the forward depth also).

You took a two-year older Bishop on a career year over Bernier but did not address the near identical career stats. (I gave them a toss-up).

You think Drouin has potential to be better than Kessel. Ok fine, but that and 2 bucks will get you a Tim's. I can also point out that many scouts said that Nylander was the most talented player at the last draft. And Connor Brown put up comparable PPG in a tougher league. (although Connor Brown was an older junior which is a red flag)

Stralman Garrison and Carle don't impress me all that much. Vancouver and NYR let Garrison and Stralman walk for nothing. As far as contracts, Stralman's is ridiculous.

You brag about your ahl scorer but don't mention that the Leafs farm team was WAY better.

... as pointed out earlier, simply mentioning prospect names means absolutely nothing to me I could do the same.

The biggest dfference between your argument and mine is that your argument is based almost entirely on potential and your guesses of how players project. The AHL results (at a team level) don't agree with you, sorry.

All you really did here was prove my point ... As much as I like the Lightning's young players, it is not a slam dunk that the Lightning offer a better supporting cast than the Leafs.
- Aetherial

LOL

Dion pheneufs contract comes to mind. and stralman is a better defenseman

The real point is that they just assumed that there could be no debate because their blogger said so. When I made a debate, using facts, I got a lot of opinion in return.

I dunno if I think Toronto has a better team or future ... but I think there is an argument to be made.
- Aetherial

For sure I agree

you tell em, Boss Hog
- puckhead17

sometimes it's just easier to throw the warning out there rather than listen to all the whining later lol

LOL

Dion pheneufs contract comes to mind. and stralman is a better defenseman
- RileyB77

no he's not. He had one good playoff run. One! Before that he was a bottom pairing d man his whole career.

The real point is that they just assumed that there could be no debate because their blogger said so. When I made a debate, using facts, I got a lot of opinion in return.

I dunno if I think Toronto has a better team or future ... but I think there is an argument to be made.
- Aetherial

I think that Toronto has one of the more underrated prospect pools, perhaps due to not having many drafted top 5 or so. Tampa are definitely well stocked though. I am however a VERY big fan of Rielly and Nylander, and think they will be the faces of our Franchise going forward.

sometimes it's just easier to throw the warning out there rather than listen to all the winning later lol
- Dozzer

Fixed

Fixed
- lumlums

You're a leaf fan, that word was removed from our dictionary long ago

LOL

Dion pheneufs contract comes to mind. and Stralman is a better defenseman.
- RileyB77

Oh absolutely

Tampas nhl roster and farm are both better than the leafs in every single category.
- rangerdanger94

Reading back a lot of these lightning fans seem on edge. That tweet Stammer favorited must have hit a soft spot

LOL

Dion pheneufs contract comes to mind. and stralman is a better defenseman
- RileyB77

in the voice of Plankton, WHA?

Why in the world would any player in their right mind leave a beautiful city in Florida to go to the city where hockey players go to die?
- habfanforever

Tampa has nice weather, but the city actually sucks.

I think that Toronto has one of the more underrated prospect pools, perhaps due to not having many drafted top 5 or so. Tampa are definitely well stocked though. I am however a VERY big fan of Rielly and Nylander, and think they will be the faces of our Franchise going forward.
- lumlums

And what a pretty face Nylander has

Oh absolutely
- Aetherial

What 15 games can do to a player I remember when Bickel had that crazy playoff run last year. Did he get a 4-5 million contract? Nope because Chicago is smart and if they did give him a ridiculous contract just because 1 great playoff run it would of backfired huge.

I think that Toronto has one of the more underrated prospect pools, perhaps due to not having many drafted top 5 or so. Tampa are definitely well stocked though. I am however a VERY big fan of Rielly and Nylander, and think they will be the faces of our Franchise going forward.
- lumlums

I think we have a deep talent pool but lack star quality. Tampa's minor league talent looks to have more upside to me. Ours looks a little safer, but less interesting.

LOL

Dion pheneufs contract comes to mind. and stralman is a better defenseman
- RileyB77

In what world is Stralman better than Dion? That's ridiculous. Stralman would be crushed if he had to have Dion's role.

LOL

Dion pheneufs contract comes to mind. and stralman is a better defenseman
- RileyB77

That's sadly not a comparison that can be made directly; Phaneuf played 23.1 min/60 with the toughest QoC in the league. Stralman played 19.2 min/60 on a lower pairing with much lower QoC (77th) for defenseman playing more than 62 games.

This year will give Stralman a chance to see whether he can handle lots of big minutes against the best forwards, but until then, it's way too soon to make a comparison.

Reading back a lot of these lightning fans seem on edge. That tweet Stammer favorited must have hit a soft spot
- MLeafs81

Not really stamkos will resign here July 2015! If the leafs want him they will need to trade for him and good luck.

And what a pretty face Nylander has
- Artyukhin76

Future prom queen at the NHL awards

The "Prospect" argument doesn't hold much water. The Panthers have had great prospects for over a decade.

Tampa has nice weather, but the city actually sucks.
- RogerRoeper

I was just there this past week as my family lives there. So I am actually a Tampa fan.

The actual city is horrible, but St. Pete's (Treasure Island beach) and Disney world close by are good.

You're a leaf fan, that word was removed from our dictionary long ago
- Dozzer

Im also a born and raised Manchester United fan... I have hope... apart from last season

Reading back a lot of these lightning fans seem on edge. That tweet Stammer favorited must have hit a soft spot
- MLeafs81

Not me. The Lightning survived before him and can survive without him. He is not this team but part of it (albeit a big part).

As for Toronto, they have a good (not great) prospect pool, but you're kidding yourself if you think for one second it's better then TBay's.