Yeah, I know exactly what you mean.

I was really concerned that the Leafs finishing last this year might foster a culture of losing.

Why throw out decades of excellence for one lousy pick?
- Atomic Wedgie

I'm not so worried about the culture of losing, but the quality of players surrounding guys to push them to be better and fight for icetime while providing an opportunity to shelter them against superior competition so they can develop at the correct pace

Does anybody know why RHD Philip Larsen is not playing for Denmark's World Championship team?

I'm not so worried about the culture of losing, but the quality of players surrounding guys to push them to be better and fight for icetime while providing an opportunity to shelter them against superior competition so they can develop at the correct pace
- WhiteLie

i've been in favour of a tank for a few seasons, however, i do fear creating an expectation of loss.

my biggest fear is that the players, especially the younger ones, either develop bad attitudes (most haven't dealt with losing on a prolonged scale probably), bad habits or a selfish attitude. i fear that if losing is somewhat expected players will be more about personal stats than team b/c the team's "gonna lose anyway."

but all in all, you need the top 5 picks to develop your next core. losing is a necessary evil and a tank is my preferred way to hopefully get a new core. a couple more seasons of suck (either by design or having the suck thrust upon us) should give hope of building a real contender.

yup, that'll be your cloak of invincibility.
- RealityChecker

haha, you got it baby...

not this poop again...
- Codes1087

nah, it's over before it even started...

haha, you got it baby...
- kaptaan

wow this got ugly real quick.

"Blah, blah, blah.
- kaptaan

Please stop talking.

wow this got ugly real quick.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Trolling will not help get the thread back on track

I really want us to draft Tkachuk regardless of IF Dubois is available. Tkachuk got a hat-trick the other night and is averaging 2.79 PPG for his career in the playoffs. The kid is a beast.
- Codes1087

I'll agree here....he's a slam dunk pick

i've been in favour of a tank for a few seasons, however, i do fear creating an expectation of loss.

my biggest fear is that the players, especially the younger ones, either develop bad attitudes (most haven't dealt with losing on a prolonged scale probably), bad habits or a selfish attitude. i fear that if losing is somewhat expected players will be more about personal stats than team b/c the team's "gonna lose anyway."

but all in all, you need the top 5 picks to develop your next core. losing is a necessary evil and a tank is my preferred way to hopefully get a new core. a couple more seasons of suck (either by design or having the suck thrust upon us) should give hope of building a real contender.
- RealityChecker

Agreed that the losing culture can exist, in every year of hockey for these guys, they always knew if they were on a bad team they would get a fresh start at the next level. The NHL is the top, so if youre losing there, your only choice is to keep plugging away. I would rather take losing seasons for the next 3 years than to gift wrap spots for these kids though, thats the attitude I would hate to see. I got that impression from JV in the early going, that he made the team in the summer and I think sending him the WJC's was the eye opener for him and he played great in the second half. I also think thats why Nylander performed well for the Leafs at the end of the year and why the Detroit prospects do well when they come up, they earn it

Agreed that the losing culture can exist, in every year of hockey for these guys, they always knew if they were on a bad team they would get a fresh start at the next level. The NHL is the top, so if youre losing there, your only choice is to keep plugging away. I would rather take losing seasons for the next 3 years than to gift wrap spots for these kids though, thats the attitude I would hate to see. I got that impression from JV in the early going, that he made the team in the summer and I think sending him the WJC's was the eye opener for him and he played great in the second half. I also think thats why Nylander performed well for the Leafs at the end of the year and why the Detroit prospects do well when they come up, they earn it
- WhiteLie

i agree with most of what you write. that's why i want a few vets (even some of the declining dead stock that the team currently has) to stick around. if the team is going to lose, which i think is their current trajectory and probably best for their long term rebuild, i'd rather have some vets that can mentally deal with losing than throwing the kids in with the wolves.

just b/c a kid is outplaying a vet does not mean that giving him the added minutes and added pressure is best for his long term development. conversely, if losing is necessary, it's probably better to have a declining vet

i agree with most of what you write. that's why i want a few vets (even some of the declining dead stock that the team currently has) to stick around. if the team is going to lose, which i think is their current trajectory and probably best for their long term rebuild, i'd rather have some vets that can mentally deal with losing than throwing the kids in with the wolves.

just b/c a kid is outplaying a vet does not mean that giving him the added minutes and added pressure is best for his long term development. conversely, if losing is necessary, it's probably better to have a declining vet
- RealityChecker

absolutely. I would rather Higgins and Burrows spend their shifts trapped in their own end against Kopitar/Toews/Getzlaf night after night than it be JV, McCann or Bo. Expose them occasionally for the experience, but over the course of the season let it mentally drain the elder folk

Am I missing something? Why is Jordan Schroeder on the US team? He had a sad season as part of his subpar career. Is the USA so thin on talent that they need him on their national team?

Am I missing something? Why is Jordan Schroeder on the US team? He had a sad season as part of his subpar career. Is the USA so thin on talent that they need him on their national team?
- micah555

They are pretty thin, they invited an entire college line from Michigan to play for them. I think most American players are in playoffs or saving for the World Cup

absolutely. I would rather Higgins and Burrows spend their shifts trapped in their own end against Kopitar/Toews/Getzlaf night after night than it be JV, McCann or Bo. Expose them occasionally for the experience, but over the course of the season let it mentally drain the elder folk
- WhiteLie

add in the fact that tying up salary cap space limits the ability of a gm to overpay some ufa who at best will only help the team become (the kiss of death) mediocre.

absolutely. I would rather Higgins and Burrows spend their shifts trapped in their own end against Kopitar/Toews/Getzlaf night after night than it be JV, McCann or Bo. Expose them occasionally for the experience, but over the course of the season let it mentally drain the elder folk
- WhiteLie

Nux record against those teams wasn't what you made it out to be...
against ANA 3w 2l 0ot
against LA 2w 2l 1ot
against CHI 1w 2l 0ot

- RealityChecker

Am I missing something? Why is Jordan Schroeder on the US team? He had a sad season as part of his subpar career. Is the USA so thin on talent that they need him on their national team?
- micah555

He's speedy and on the big ice that can be an asset…other than that pretty much it.

Am I missing something? Why is Jordan Schroeder on the US team? He had a sad season as part of his subpar career. Is the USA so thin on talent that they need him on their national team?
- micah555

I want to know who Michael Matheson on Canada's D is.

I want to know who Michael Matheson on Canada's D is.
- Scooby_Doo

Basically Ben Hutton behind a much deeper defense in Florida.

I'm not so worried about the culture of losing, but the quality of players surrounding guys to push them to be better and fight for icetime while providing an opportunity to shelter them against superior competition so they can develop at the correct pace
- WhiteLie

Heavy.

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean.

I was really concerned that the Leafs finishing last this year might foster a culture of losing.

Why throw out decades of excellence for one lousy pick?
- Atomic Wedgie

That's a good one.

Basically Ben Hutton behind a much deeper defense in Florida.
- belcherbd

You think Florida has a deeper Defense than us?

You think Florida has a deeper Defense than us?
- Scooby_Doo

This past season, absolutely.