Case in point- the Toronto Maple Leafs. They've been the perfect amount of mediocre for a million years, and combined it with fairly brutal scouting.

Accordingly, they have never really drafted a player that has worked his way up to being an important component of their team.

It looks like Morgan Reilly may be the first guy since Wendel Clark in 85 to buck that trend....
- Jordo

A lot of that has to do with poor scouting/development. Look at Schwartz and Tarasenko, both were picked in the teens of the first round. You do not need a #1 overall pick to have an effective reload on talent.

other than Edmonton who else has has this luxury?
- Lucas Neilson

Thats about it
Edmonton in the last 5yrs
2014 3rd
2012 1st
2011 1st
2010 1st

Your argument suggests that 14 gms get fired every year.
- Feds91Stammer

We're talking about teams that finish in the bottom few that actually have a chance at getting first overall in the current system. Those are the teams that you think are trying to tank on purpose to get a high pick.

have a tournament march madness style ...bottom 8 compete ....3 rounds single elimination winning gets connor ....the tanking teams will lose out cause their roster is too weak and the 14th place team still won't get connor
- Redmile247

The best solution I've ever seen personally.

http://www.sloansportsconference.com/?p=5496

Ek, you didn't disappoint.

Once again showed your lack of knowledge and bias concerning the sport you cover.
All the while, getting in a good troll blog and some oiler bashing.

Thats about it
Edmonton in the last 5yrs
2014 3rd
2012 1st
2011 1st
2010 1st
- cabin

Awww couldn't you include our 7th overall in 2013 just to make it look a little bit less embarassing

Thats about it
Edmonton in the last 5yrs
2014 3rd
2012 1st
2011 1st
2010 1st
- cabin

Copycats.

A lot of that has to do with poor scouting/development. Look at Schwartz and Tarasenko, both were picked in the teens of the first round. You do not need a #1 overall pick to have an effective reload on talent.
- Yeah Boyes

Development more than anything. Look at Yakupov. Ever since the Eakins calamity left town he's been great.

Awww couldn't you include our 7th overall in 2013 just to make it look a little bit less embarassing
- OilersFan1985

That would have ruined the esthetics of the post.

I am still a little upset that Erik Johnson was a #1 overall pick sandwiched between SEVERAL Hall of Fame #1 overalls. Timing is everything.

I am still a little upset that Erik Johnson was a #1 overall pick sandwiched between SEVERAL Hall of Fame #1 overalls. Timing is everything.
- Yeah Boyes

Chris Phillips says gfy.

We're talking about teams that finish in the bottom few that actually have a chance at getting first overall in the current system. Those are the teams that you think are trying to tank on purpose to get a high pick.
- OilersFan1985

They are intentionally tanking and that's why it's stupid.

Straight lottery, equal odds for the bottom 14 teams. These teams tanking is embarrassing for the sport.
- Jordo

It's happened for years and the only reason people are more cognizant of it is because of social media. The Penguins tanked to get Mario. It saved their franchise. The Blackhawks were god awful for numerous years. The reason teams "tank" is because in most cases it works. The only real reason people are up in arms is because there is a generational talent in McDavid and the consolation prize for finishing last but not winning the lottery gets you a franchise player in Eichel as well.

Ek, you didn't disappoint.

Once again showed your lack of knowledge and bias concerning the sport you cover.
All the while, getting in a good troll blog and some oiler bashing.
- Ihateallofu

You are correct, I think he wants a top 3 in Philly this year and is whining because his team is a joke.

Why is that stupid? Equal odds for everyone who doesn't make the playoffs. Makes it much more interesting rather than seeing Edmonton potentially picking first again...
- deuce22

Their are many things wrong with that. For one, the only way bottom teams to get better is through the draft and high draft picks. Second if it was equal odds, do really think teams like ottawa, dallas, sharks and calagry would be trying to make playoffs. It could also make teams like boston, jets, wild, and capitals to actually try to avoid playoffs. Would you rather lose in the first round or have chance for mcdavid. It may seem like that would never happen but imagine team like Caps or wild with Mcdavid. It would make them an instant contender. And also keep teams like buffalo and coyotes from getting out of the basement.

Awww couldn't you include our 7th overall in 2013 just to make it look a little bit less embarassing
- OilersFan1985

Could have included
2015 3rd (as it stands)

Fixing the Draft. Let's do it the way the Big Leagues do it. The NFL lets the team with the worst overall record to draft first. The NFL doesn't have issues with their draft. I don't hear complaints from fans at all.

Sounds like an idea rather than all this utter nonsense with draft lotteries and rules and regulations coming.

We definitely had terrible scouting for many years and are still feeling the effects of a poorly stocked shelf of prospects
- OilersFan1985

This.

With the past regime, yes this is true. The guys that would/could be in their primes and contributing now we're misses.
but it's a different scouting group in place waiting on said later picks.
And developing them.
We absolutely have some promising later picks. Marincin, Pitlick, lander, yakimov, chase, etc

It's so typical. This whole later round thing got mentioned a few months ago by some dude, and within weeks it's was cliche du hour for media, pundits and outsider fans alike

They are intentionally tanking and that's why it's stupid.
- Feds91Stammer

What's stupid is that you think anyone is actually doing this.

don't do that, that would break up this oilers dynasty 3 lotteries won in a row, took a couple years off and now looking to add a 4th the rafters

We definitely had terrible scouting for many years and are still feeling the effects of a poorly stocked shelf of prospects
- OilersFan1985

This.

With the past regime, yes this is true. The guys that would/could be in their primes and contributing now we're misses.
but it's a different scouting group in place waiting on said later picks.
And developing them.
We absolutely have some promising later picks. Marincin, Pitlick, lander, yakimov, chase, etc

It's so typical. This whole later round thing got mentioned a few months ago by some dude, and within weeks it's was the cliche du jour foe media, pundits and outsider fans alike everywhere

Why not follow the NFL model? Despite their apparent lack of moral integrity, their draft model allows for a greater parity of talent.
Frank Jerry Jones and his puppet Roger

Fixing the Draft. Let's do it the way the Big Leagues do it. The NFL lets the team with the worst overall record to draft first. The NFL doesn't have issues with their draft. I don't hear complaints from fans at all.

Sounds like an idea rather than all this utter nonsense with draft lotteries and rules and regulations coming.
- mattsox

Apples and oranges. Most 1st rd picks in the NFL are expected to make an immediate impact whereas the NHL draft has maybe 3-5 players ready to do that.

They are intentionally tanking and that's why it's stupid.
- Feds91Stammer

You're funny

Know what a big problem is? NTC and NMC's. How is a team, that is trying to improve, supposed to bring in top players that say "No" to going to that market?
- ChetManly

Jesus a bolt of insight! This is a topic that should be discussed a lot more