Is there any player drafted 1st overall whose team & fans didn't say he was a generational talent at the time?
- Antilles

I've only ever heard it about Lindros, Daigle, Ovechkin, Crosby, McDavid and Matthews.

So far, they were 4/5. And Daigle had the talent, but just not the drive.

Taylor hall is NOT in the same class as Wayne or Mario. Holy hell Tanner. Hall can't hold the jockstraps of those guys. Your over-valuation of Oilers players is comical.

Matthews doesn't project to be a generational talent, great young center and I'd have loved to draft him, James is just excited with a new toy.

Leafs will finally draft someone with size to go with their crop of garden gnomes.
- LeftCoaster

Strongly disagree, it's pretty insane that he might be the MVP of a league of Men. You can find people who want to sound measured and intelligent who say he's not going to be that good, but the vast majority of people I've talked to online who've seen him play just start drooling when they talk about him.

The only reason he's not being talked about like McDavid is because he didn't play this year in North America, and ironically, he played in harder league so he's probably more ready for the NHL than almost any player of his age has ever been.

I've only ever heard it about Lindros, Daigle, Ovechkin, Crosby, McDavid and Matthews.

So far, they were 4/5. And Daigle had the talent, but just not the drive.
- James_Tanner

Where have you seen it printed that Matthews is a generational talent?

Taylor hall is NOT in the same class as Wayne or Mario. Holy hell Tanner. Hall can't hold the jockstraps of those guys. Your over-valuation of Oilers players is comical.
- EnzoD

When did I put Taylor Hall into that league? I don't think I said anything of the sort.

But, Taylor Hall is in the league of Stamkos and Tavares, Seguin and Kane.

Crosby, Ovechkin and McDavid are in a league of their own. We'll see where Matthews ends up, but I'm predicting superior to Stamkos, Tavares, Seguin and Kane. I am super biased though, so by all means, take it with a brick of salt.

Where have you seen it printed that Matthews is a generational talent?
- LeftCoaster

Yes, but since that became such a ridiculous, overused cliche last year, I think people have stopped saying it, kind of like talk to the hand.

Keep asking myself the same thing. Kadri is our fourth best forward. How crazy is that?
- James_Tanner

Kadri will eventually slot into a perfect role. I think the Leafs will have 3 lines that you can't really label as 1,2 or 3 for awhile. Eventually:

Matthews
JVR
Marner

Nylander
Leivo/Leipsic/Johson, ....someone Komarov maybe even
Brown

Kadri
Sosh
Hyman
That is a fantastic "3rd line" with grit, speed and offensive skills. Kadri on the PP of course as well.

That's ridiculous. He's guaranteed to be an NHL regular. His speed and defense alone will keep him in the show. Should develop into a Lehtonen type guy, I hope.
- James_Tanner

I disagree. It's way to early to tell. If he was so great he wouldn't be a healthy scratch for the Marlies in the playoffs. He has at least two AHL seasons to go.

Kadri will eventually slot into a perfect role. I think the Leafs will have 3 lines that you can't really label as 1,2 or 3 for awhile. Eventually:

Matthews
JVR
Marner

Nylander
Leivo/Leipsic/Johson, ....someone Komarov maybe even
Brown

Kadri
Sosh
Hyman
That is a fantastic "3rd line" with grit, speed and offensive skills. Kadri on the PP of course as well.
- Njuice

Maybe in a few years from now,sure. But to start next season, Kadri is your first line centre, as he should be since he's one of the best centres in the NHL - top 20 at least.

People forget how good of a season he just had because his shooting percentage and that of his linemates was so unlucky.

Is there any player drafted 1st overall whose team & fans didn't say he was a generational talent at the time?
- Antilles

Yakupov?

Agree on the Bruce firing - I didn't like it and still don't and the list of candidates that have been proposed is Horrrrriiibbble - Randy Carlyle Marc Crawford Guy Boucher the only one worth considering is the Stache and I'm not even sure about that over Bruce - Corey P has blown chunks in 2 of the last 4 playoff yrs going Ofer in 7 game series -

I happen to love me Some sasquatch so I'm not sure about the idea of him not being a Norris finalist 27 goals is crazy in this day and age for a D man - I personally wouldn't take any of those other guys over BB - I still don't know how the hell he got traded from Minnesota -

Because no one could seriously think that would be a realistic proposal. Four top-ten picks for one player, essentially? I have to believe if he said that he wasn't serious.
- James_Tanner

You clearly don't read much of his stuff. If there is one person out there who would seriously consider it, it's Garth.

That said, on the Leaf thread a Leaf rejected this:
Matthews
for
7th
Strome
Domi
+ stuff

If I'm Arizona I absolutely WOULD trade OEL straight up for Matthews. If I'm the Leafs I would shut that poop down without blinking an eye.

Matthews doesn't project to be a generational talent, great young center and I'd have loved to draft him, James is just excited with a new toy.

Leafs will finally draft someone with size to go with their crop of garden gnomes.
- LeftCoaster

You're an embarrassment. At least the rest of your crew quit when it's time to quit. You Sir, you disappoint me (especially for someone so old)

Thanks. Are you from Wales? if so, how did you end up a hockey fan. Are their any cool Welsh bands?

My dad used to have a couple tapes of the Alarm when I was a kid, who I think are Welsh, but other than that I can't think of any...guess I could use Google.
- James_Tanner

(frank) you.

No, England

Moved to Canada in 2004 and fell in love with the sport. Fast, aggressive, no time for winging it, mostly honest players.

Only Welsh band I can think of worth anything is the Stereophonics or Manic Street Preachers

Strongly disagree, it's pretty insane that he might be the MVP of a league of Men. You can find people who want to sound measured and intelligent who say he's not going to be that good, but the vast majority of people I've talked to online who've seen him play just start drooling when they talk about him.

The only reason he's not being talked about like McDavid is because he didn't play this year in North America, and ironically, he played in harder league so he's probably more ready for the NHL than almost any player of his age has ever been.
- James_Tanner

Don't feed the trolls JT

i like what the Leafs are doing. they are finally doing it the right way. but all these blogs read like Oiler copy from 4 years ago. The idea that the Leafs are on the verge of contending is ludicrous. Still 5 to 6 years away.
- spatso

I'd like to know the formula behind this.

Maybe in a few years from now,sure. But to start next season, Kadri is your first line centre, as he should be since he's one of the best centres in the NHL - top 20 at least.

People forget how good of a season he just had because his shooting percentage and that of his linemates was so unlucky.
- James_Tanner

His shooting percentage was so low because he shot from everywhere and anywhere and put a lot of pucks right in the bread basket.

I do agree that he will be 1st line center this year and I a big fan of Kadri but you go way overboard with the Corsi stuff. If the theory is that +/- is useless and shots are a better indicator then you have to take it one step further and analyze all the little things. Is the player in position for front end and back end puck support. Does the player win board battles, does the player make intelligent plays, etc, etc. because those are the things that result in shots. Kadri does all these things well but there is no way he is a top 20 center. ANd like I said, I am a Kadri fan.

Allowing Matthews and Nylander to face weaker opposition on their lines. And I think all three lines will be good and can't really be categorized as 1, 2 or 3.

You're an embarrassment. At least the rest of your crew quit when it's time to quit. You Sir, you disappoint me (especially for someone so old)
- walshyleafsfan

I was just kidding....you're so touchy.

I was just kidding....you're so touchy.
- LeftCoaster

You're so douchey though, it's hard to tell. All buddy buddy one minute then massive troll the next. You're the HB version of
Petyr Baelish

(frank) you.

No, England

Moved to Canada in 2004 and fell in love with the sport. Fast, aggressive, no time for winging it, mostly honest players.

Only Welsh band I can think of worth anything is the Stereophonics or Manic Street Preachers
- walshyleafsfan

I misread your name, as welshyleafsfan. Both good bands I didn't know where welsh.

You're so douchey though, it's hard to tell. All buddy bud one minute then massive troll the next. You're the HB version of
Petyr Baelish
- walshyleafsfan

Ha - I think it's more about you than it is about me. It's just a little joke, nothing douchey or massively trolling about it.

If we're not allowed to crack jokes we should just head over to hfboards, there's only serious informed discussions over there.

I'd like to know the formula behind this.
- systemtool

According to the Oilers thread over the last few weeks, the only thing holding back all the ELITE talent, is right handed Defensemen.

(frank) you.

No, England

Moved to Canada in 2004 and fell in love with the sport. Fast, aggressive, no time for winging it, mostly honest players.

Only Welsh band I can think of worth anything is the Stereophonics or Manic Street Preachers
- walshyleafsfan

Bonnie Tyler!

According to the Oilers thread over the last few weeks, the only thing holding back all the ELITE talent, is right handed Defensemen.
- Aetherial

For a team that's never had a Calder winner, an Art Ross winner or a (recent, post-six-team) Stanley Cup, this is the best thing that could ever happen to them. 
- James_Tanner

Britt Selby says hello.