wonder what they do if they get the 2nd? Take Eichel of move the pick ? would still have to move one the c's they have
- PinkSock

Itll be interesting, we are a logical "Hockey Trade" partner with them at the moment as we are both terrible and dealing from weakness.

Couldn't be better. Essentially mathematically eliminated themselves well before the trade deadline.. No illusions, no possible way management can still think there's some chance here.

If there was ever a time to go for broke and potentially make up for the years and years Nonis and his awful contracts might have set this team back, it's this season.
- TheThrill

agree

the trick is to keep the losing going...

I'm worried that he might Patrick Kane things out. Kane centred two "natural centres" in Kostitsyn and Gagner, yet all three at the NHL level turned winger. Similarly Domi was a "natural C."
- AdamFrench

I agree, hes too small, winger for sure ala Kane

Couldn't be better. Essentially mathematically eliminated themselves well before the trade deadline.. No illusions, no possible way management can still think there's some chance here.

If there was ever a time to go for broke and potentially make up for the years and years Nonis and his awful contracts might have set this team back, it's this season.
- TheThrill

Exactly.....a stacked draft and assets that could be parleyed into more picks, or younger already drafted picks. It's not like this team is trying to move 30 year old plus players, past their prime. They have tangible assets, under contract long term. They also have some decent short term pieces, that could help a contender, that doesn't have to worry about cap ramifications going forward. The stars are aligned, to get the rebuilt started properly. It doesn't have to to take 4 years, it could be done in two to three, if done properly.

agree

the trick is to keep the losing going...
- senstroll

and I don't think it will be tricky

What in the history of the TML would ever make you believe that they believe that
- Bigzby

I think you're being sarcastic, but just in case you aren't:

Burke said Grabo, Mac, Reimer and others could have got 1st rounders back. We stayed put because he thought we were a playoff team

The Kessel trade was made based on thinking they were better than they were

Last year, we could have got returns for Raymond, Franson and/or Kulemin but stayed put because Nonis thought it was a playoff team

etc, etc.

That's just the last 5-6 years

I think a team who trades for Lupul could end up with a real steal, if he goes on a healthy streak and gets back into a groove, hes a pretty good guy to have in the playoffs, I assumed he was a few years older than he is , 31, I can see him fitting in real nice on a couple teams

I think you're being sarcastic, but just in case you aren't:

Burke said Grabo, Mac, Reimer and others could have got 1st rounders back. We stayed put because he thought we were a playoff team

The Kessel trade was made based on thinking they were better than they were

Last year, we could have got returns for Raymond, Franson and/or Kulemin but stayed put because Nonis thought it was a playoff team

etc, etc.

That's just the last 5-6 years
- TheThrill

Thats exactly my point, we never do what was suggested.

I agree, hes too small, winger for sure ala Kane
- PinkSock

Still probably the best pick available if he's the one left at 5.

Still probably the best pick available if he's the one left at 5.
- BetterCallSaul

I really hope we just keep drafting the most skilled guy available, we can always parlay them into a filling a need.

Itll be interesting, we are a logical "Hockey Trade" partner with them at the moment as we are both terrible and dealing from weakness.
- Bigzby

Are we dealing from a position of weakness? How would you like to be in the Pacific division, dealing with death valley and knowing that you have to beat those teams, to just get into the playoffs? If you are in the east, and you're in, is this your chance to make it to the finals, with the right piece of the puzzle? There is no favourite in the conference. What if you're a bubble team in the west and you're one piece from getting the edge on three other teams, trying to get in? The Leafs assets, being in their 20's, is something that you can bank on, going forward. It's not like, one and done and the player is finished. You can actually make your team better. The Leafs are actually in a position of strength right now.....knowing that they're not going anywhere and having a fix for those who need help.

McDavid or bust.

I really hope we just keep drafting the most skilled guy available, we can always parlay them into a filling a need.
- Bigzby

I agree. I said yesterday you don't draft Zacha at 5 over Marner just because he's the best centre available.

Are we dealing from a position of weakness? How would you like to be in the Pacific division, dealing with death valley and knowing that you have to beat those teams, to just get into the playoffs? If you are in the east, and you're in, is this your chance to make it to the finals, with the right piece of the puzzle? There is no favourite in the conference. What if you're a bubble team in the west and you're one piece from getting the edge on three other teams, trying to get in? The Leafs assets, being in their 20's, is something that you can bank on, going forward. It's not like, one and done and the player is finished. You can actually make your team better. The Leafs are actually in a position of strength right now.....knowing that they're not going anywhere and having a fix for those who need help.
- PrinceLH

Those teams aren't trading young valuable roster players....

depends on how they value the top D in the draft I suppose if there isnt that much of a diff talent wise, they move down a spot or 2?

I take Eichel and move RNH personally
- PinkSock

That's likely what they'll do.

RNH will draw lots of interest, and having two big centers on the top-2 lines would be pretty damn nice.

What does a "number 2" look like? The optics are distorted if you're comparing Toronto against CHI or LA (or any team that's not as disfunctional as this one).

Dion is so easy to hate on this team by fans looking for a scapegoat for all that ails this team, but he's had a solid career with Toronto despite playing with Gunnarsson, Holzer, and Franson his entire time here, Franson being the closest to a top 2 guy (he's a 3/4 on pretty much any playoff team).

Toronto, the team, sucks. Phaneuf as the team captain was never a good idea because playing as the #1 D on this team in this market is hard enough (see, Kaberle, Beauchemin, Komisarek, McCabe, etc.) without being burdened with the captaincy.
- gravyface

Dion sucks, has always sucked on Toronto.
The only good thing he does once every 3-4 games is make a nice rush into the offensive zone and then almost score a goal (he never does though).
Can't clear the zone in front of the net. Not using his stick properly to defend dangerous passes. Will not make use of his body anymore like a few years ago. Always has his d-partner solve the issue to make transition from d to fw. And his 'famous' shot on PP has now become infamous in the bad sense..
+ leadership skills zero - what do you expect from a neanderthaler with a 100 on the narcisism scale..

I agree. I said yesterday you don't draft Zacha at 5 over Marner just because he's the best centre available.
- BetterCallSaul

Both are centers...

Those teams aren't trading young valuable roster players....
- Bigzby

So you don't think the Kings make a deal, since they're on the outside looking in right now? They'll make a trade, to get in and make a run. Same goes for the Wild and Stars....they want to get in and will make a move.

That's likely what they'll do.

RNH will draw lots of interest, and having two big centers on the top-2 lines would be pretty damn nice.
- Feeling Glucky?

They'll make a move .....but don't expect it to happen this summer.

Both are centers...
- burn

Most people in the know believe Marner will be a RW in the NHL. As we discussed a little earlier.

So you don't think the Kings make a deal, since they're on the outside looking in right now? They'll make a trade, to get in and make a run. Same goes for the Wild and Stars....they want to get in and will make a move.
- PrinceLH

spin spin spin.....

1. i said hockey trade
2. never said they wouldnt make trades

If you need me to include a diagram explaining my posts let me know.

So you don't think the Kings make a deal, since they're on the outside looking in right now? They'll make a trade, to get in and make a run. Same goes for the Wild and Stars....they want to get in and will make a move.
- PrinceLH

Missing the playoffs might be the best thing for the Kings. Relax this summer and go for Cup 3 next year.

They'll make a move .....but don't expect it to happen this summer.
- Jeropotato

It shouldn't happen this summer.


But Edmonton doesn't really have a history of being patient.

spin spin spin.....

1. i said hockey trade
2. never said they wouldnt make trades

If you need me to include a diagram explaining my posts let me know.
- Bigzby

Please do!

spin spin spin.....

1. i said hockey trade
2. never said they wouldnt make trades

If you need me to include a diagram explaining my posts let me know.
- Bigzby

Ooooohhhhhh Sarcasm......... The only thing you can draw is a pentagram, but I digress. There is always room for a hockey trade, if you have a need at defense, and have extra offense, you can make a hockey trade. It's just the usual degrading of our assets. There is value in many of the assets that we have to trade.