As a guy who has watched him a lot I can almost promise you that Forsberg will be a better player than Pastrnak! Here in Sweden he is compared to Peter Forsberg. I am not saying that he will be as good as Peter Forsberg was, maybe not even close but his play style similar to him. He is 6'2", 194 ibs and he uses his size to his advantage. He got great puckskills and passing. He is very creating and fun to watch too!

IMO he could be a 1st line forward in the NHL!
- TampaTalk

thoughts on William Nylander? 16 points in 7 under-18 games in insane.

Good read, thats a lot of questions about Stamkos' future I'm sure he'll stay in Tampa Bay though.
- BoringBob69

And I had to omit a few that contained some inappropriate references!

Avs are still a great team and very well coached but I can see them missing the playoffs. Only because you guys play in a very hard division where every team seemingly improved substantially and a lot hinges on Varlamov. I think he's the real deal but there's always a chance he has an off year. Also, your defense looks a bit suspect to me.

With that said, I do think you guys make the playoffs. You guys lost Stastny and Parenteau but you will have a healthy Tanguay now and Iginla. Barrie should take a step forward in his development and I'm really psyched to see MacKinnon develop. Sophomore slumps are common but for some reason I don't see this kid having one.

I think a few teams will surprise and make the playoffs next year. I think the Panthers, Oilers, and Islanders will all make it.
- rangerdanger94

That's just it for me. I don't think that they were coached well this past season. I think Varlamov had a superb year. Their possession numbers were dreadful. Some of that has to be system related. Roy didn't adjust.

thoughts on William Nylander? 16 points in 7 under-18 games in insane.
- GardinerExpress

I haven't seen Nylander as much as Forsberg but from what I have he is a Elite skilled forward, propably the most skilled in this years draft!
He scored almost a point per game in Sweden's second best league but only 0,30 points per game in SHL (nr1 league).

I am pretty sure he won't make the Toronto roster as he is a bit small (5'11" 170 ibs)+

And the Devils make the playoffs........why?

Drouin + Carle for Phaneuf and JVR is lopsided in Toronto's favor?

I wouldnt even consider that kinda deal. Why trade the big young power forward we have craved for years, coming off a 30/30 season?

If Nonis refused to include JVR in a package to get #1 this year, why would he move him for a guy that was picked #3? It's not like JVR doesnt have room to improve, considering he was the #2 pick in the Kane draft
- GardinerExpress

Drouin would have been picked 1st in this years weak draft.

May I remind leaf fans that tampa can offer a 8 year term and leafs can only offer a 7 year term! For mr stamkos

Phaneuf would be a great grab for you guys. He gets a lot of poop but at the end of the day he's a top-pairing defenseman. You guys have only 1 true top-pairing guy with Hedman at the moment while Stralman, Garrison, and Carle are all better suited to be 2nd pairing guys. The price would be steep but you definitely have the assets to make it happen...2 first round picks next year and a ton of quality prospects.

Obviously you're really high on Drouin and this trade proposal would only happen in NHL 14, but would you consider dealing Drouin + Carle for Phaneuf + JVR? That might be a little lopsided in Toronto's favor so maybe Lupul instead of JVR?
- rangerdanger94

salary cap wise we would be over the cap by a lot that won't work. I can't see the team dealing drouin unless something insane blew the lightning away.

I can't see the team dealing JVR unless something insane blew the Leafs away.
- todd1a

Edited to also reflect the leafs situation

I haven't seen Nylander as much as Forsberg but from what I have he is a Elite skilled forward, propably the most skilled in this years draft!
He scored almost a point per game in Sweden's second best league but only 0,30 points per game in SHL (nr1 league).

I am pretty sure he won't make the Toronto roster as he is a bit small (5'11" 170 ibs)+
- TampaTalk

Hopefully he shows up at training camp a lean 185

Drouin would have been picked 1st in this years weak draft.
- todd1a

I'm not saying he isnt an elite prospect, but why give up what we know for an unknown entity?

just looking back at the past few #3 picks, Gudbransson/Huberdeau/Galchenyuk/ Drouin/ Draisatl, Drouin is probably the most talented of the lot, but I still wouldnt trade a guy who put up a 30/30 year at 24 yrs old for him.

Enjoyed this blog.

I don't think Vancouver returns to the playoffs.

I agree with pretty much everything else, except that you should have let that guy seeupee.

Hopefully he shows up at training camp a lean 185
- GardinerExpress

I don't see a chance of that.

I'm not saying he isnt an elite prospect, but why give up what we know for an unknown entity?

just looking back at the past few #3 picks, Gudbransson/Huberdeau/Galchenyuk/ Drouin/ Draisatl, Drouin is probably the most talented of the lot, but I still wouldnt trade a guy who put up a 30/30 year at 24 yrs old for him.
- GardinerExpress

Ya and how dumb would the lightning look if they traded a superstar in drouin if he turns into what we think he can be. The leafs need a star and they never a bad enough to pick 1st or 2nd! Drouin went 3rd in a very strong draft! Maybe the best draft 2013 since 2003! So if I'm yzerman drouin Hedman and stamkos are not going anywhere.

May I remind leaf fans that tampa can offer a 8 year term and leafs can only offer a 7 year term! For mr stamkos
- todd1a

If Stamkos really does want to come to Toronto, and leave the sunshine and relative anonymity and the good young roster (and I don't believe it will happen) then the 8yr/7yr thing is not going change his mind.

If Stamkos really does want to come to Toronto, and leave the sunshine and relative anonymity and the good young roster (and I don't believe it will happen) then the 8yr/7yr thing is not going change his mind.
- Aetherial

You talking about 12 or 14 million less and factor in no state taxes in Florida which is way more to give up.

Phaneuf would be a great grab for you guys. He gets a lot of poop but at the end of the day he's a top-pairing defenseman. You guys have only 1 true top-pairing guy with Hedman at the moment while Stralman, Garrison, and Carle are all better suited to be 2nd pairing guys. The price would be steep but you definitely have the assets to make it happen...2 first round picks next year and a ton of quality prospects.

Obviously you're really high on Drouin and this trade proposal would only happen in NHL 14, but would you consider dealing Drouin + Carle for Phaneuf + JVR? That might be a little lopsided in Toronto's favor so maybe Lupul instead of JVR?
- rangerdanger94

WTF!? Phaneuf >>>>>>> Carle. Drouin is completely unproven at this point.

That trade would be ridiculous for the Leafs, not lopsided in their favour. Not to mention how the hell does Tampa handle the salary difference?

You talking about 12 or 14 million less and factor in no state taxes in Florida which is way more to give up.
- todd1a

If Stamkos wants to come to Toronto (again, I do not believe it), then you have remember that he already knows about the 8yr/7yr thing. His reasons will be something that Tampa really can't do much to change.

If he is making a RATIONAL decision, there is no way he considers this kind of move. That decision would not be rational in any way, including that extra year.

Enjoyed this blog.

I don't think Vancouver returns to the playoffs.

I agree with pretty much everything else, except that you should have let that guy seeupee.
- Aetherial

Avs miss the playoffs? And bottom 5 talent pool? /quit reading immediately
- dan_77

THat doesn't include their young talent you see on the team. The "Prospects aren't that good at all.

The Avs are primed to fall-back significantly in the standings. This happens a lot when young teams overachieve based on expectations.

". The big issue I have with Nonis’ off-season game plan is that he didn’t take the opportunity to fire Randy Carlyle"

I agree with this completely. The Leafs "Talent" is getting underrated. They should have never missed the playoffs last season. It's shocking to me Carlye wasn't fired. Instead they kee[ him and give him an extension.

Thanks for answering all the questions Mike.

The eastern conference champions finish 8th? Well, because, corsi...right? Nice try.

WTF!? Phaneuf >>>>>>> Carle. Drouin is completely unproven at this point.

That trade would be ridiculous for the Leafs, not lopsided in their favour. Not to mention how the hell does Tampa handle the salary difference?
- Aetherial

That's the problem why dion won't work in tampa. I'd like dion but we can't fit him under the salary cap. Wake up eklund! Look at the numbers!

WTF!? Phaneuf >>>>>>> Carle. Drouin is completely unproven at this point.

That trade would be ridiculous for the Leafs, not lopsided in their favour. Not to mention how the hell does Tampa handle the salary difference?
- Aetherial

Another problem is carle Ntc does he want to waive to go to the leafs ? Why would he ? Then he takes money out of his pocket with losing no state taxes.