nything to put Smith in the press box, I mean didn't Martin have 15 goals last year?
How many has he gotten with Smith?

A 4th line 5v5 player who is an excellent PKer and who can even go out there on PP to be a net-front presence (he probably has better hands than Leo tbh).
- lumlums

The Def Leppard drummer would have better hands around the net than Leo...

And you don't trade second rounders for fourth liners.
You trade second rounders to rent a player if he is actually going to play, and not sit on the bench.
Only way Boyle plays, is if someone else is moved.
- B-Wforever

Ok Wise Guy Lets just take a look at the 2003 Draft (when Boyle was picked) BTW it was a seriously deep draft!

Lets start at Number 20 to show just how good

20 Brett Burns
21 Mark Stuart
22 Mark Antoine Pouiliot (by Oilers - a dud, but oilers management was brain dead)
23 Ryan Kessler
24 Mike Richards
25 Anthony Stewart
26 Bryan Boyle
27 Jeff Tambellini
28 Corey Perry
29 Patrick Eaves

Fourth liner my ass

You realize Ben smith has played a lot of games right?

Boyle will play. Good lord.
- bryant

Ben Smith warms about 12 inches of pine. The fourth line plays a shift when they want Martin to go hit someone, or on an odd shift after a pp while they are sorting their top lines. If the leafs we're worried about Ben Smith they;d just keep playing Gauthier to let him develop.

Anyway, this is getting boring. I'll stop by after Wednesday and you can all tell me how stupid I am when the top 3 lines remain unchanged through the deadline.


(In case I get busy after the deadline..... I told you so!)

someone post the list of 2nds the leafs have traded that are now solid nhlers

im too lazy

josi saad gibson.. there's more
- daeth

Someone find the 2nd rounders we drafted that were never really NHL players....

A 4th line 5v5 player who is an excellent PKer and who can even go out there on PP to be a net-front presence (he probably has better hands than Leo tbh).
- lumlums

Hey...don't be talking about Uncle Leo like that.

.40p/game and is league leader in hits.

Ferraro on TSN earlier said that Matthews/Kadri/Bozak/Boyle really makes them the envy of many teams, and I have to agree - not many folks have such a decent spread of talent/depth (plus Willie who can fill in if needed).
- lumlums

dude, our C is superb....

Especially when Nylander takes over for Bozak.

It's 90% Matthews tho... Insanely talented player... i still havent really calmed down since the lottery...

Oh I know what you mean....I think he really needs a solid partner. Look how good he looked playing with Ekblad. Not saying we will ever get someone as good...but he looked great with him.

Lot's of great forwards if you really take a look though

Eichel
McDavid
Johnny Hockey
Drouin
etc, not going to go through every team....we love M&M but we also watch every game and are a little bias.
- Garnie

McDavid is on another level - that goes without saying.
Matthews > Eichel
Marner > Drouin (and I'm a big fan of Drouin)
Johnny hockey is excellent, but is also much more expensive

But yes, a quality partner for Rielly would really make the difference. (Hello, Shat! )

Ok Wise Guy Lets just take a look at the 2003 Draft (when Boyle was picked) BTW it was a seriously deep draft!

Lets start at Number 20 to show just how good

20 Brett Burns
21 Mark Stuart
22 Mark Antoine Pouiliot (by Oilers - a dud, but oilers management was brain dead)
23 Ryan Kessler
24 Mike Richards
25 Anthony Stewart
26 Bryan Boyle
27 Jeff Tambellini
28 Corey Perry
29 Patrick Eaves

Fourth liner my ass
- winsix

Ok........Yes?

dude, our C is superb....

Especially when Nylander takes over for Bozak.

It's 90% Matthews tho... Insanely talented player... i still havent really calmed down since the lottery...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I hear ya! And Kadri has stepped up almost beyond any expectations this year too...

Ben Smith warms about 12 inches of pine. The fourth line plays a shift when they want Martin to go hit someone, or on an odd shift after a pp while they are sorting their top lines. If the leafs we're worried about Ben Smith they;d just keep playing Gauthier to let him develop.

Anyway, this is getting boring. I'll stop by after Wednesday and you can all tell me how stupid I am when the top 3 lines remain unchanged through the deadline.


(In case I get busy after the deadline..... I told you so!)
- B-Wforever

I think you'll see him out taking draws in our end...constantly, just as we seen Bozak doing it for a couple years.

Boyle - Matthews - Marner
JVR - Kadri - Boyle
Brown - Boyle - Komarov
Martin - Boyle - Soshnikov

this is probably how Boyle will be played; I expect him to be around 60mins / night since he'll be on the PK and PP as well
- MaximusAurelius

that was actually pretty funny

Someone find the 2nd rounders we drafted that were never really NHL players....
- jribout

Jared Knight. (ok technically Boston drafted him).
The leafs traded all their second round picks for the past decade, from Kulemin to Dermott.

Bracco is going to be a player!!!!!

McDavid is on another level - that goes without saying.
Matthews > Eichel
Marner > Drouin (and I'm a big fan of Drouin)
Johnny hockey is excellent, but is also much more expensive

But yes, a quality partner for Rielly would really make the difference. (Hello, Shat! )
- lumlums

Oh sure they are better...but not by as much as we'd like to think. If we got to watch the other guys and not M&M day in and day out...we'd probably be singing some different tunes....wasn't long ago Johnny was making min wage...and it won't be long and M&M will be making close $12-15m combined.

Bozak and/or jvr will be traded in the offseason.

We’ll get our precious 2nd round pick back.

Rebuild over.

While it injects some experience in the lineup, he's a rental isn't he? UFA in July? I don't like the 2nd to give up but it is a weak draft and I think the big benefit is he makes Bozak expendable now. I don't think Lou is done.

I said that too....probably would have to think about McDavid, but that would be about it.
- Garnie

Just from watching this year it looks like McDavid doesnt have the same calm demeanor as AM... Nor his size which is pretty important for an 82 game sched + playoffs..

Also it should be said that i really like Laines attitude too... just so calm and non selfish...

I think you'll see him out taking draws in our end...constantly, just as we seen Bozak doing it for a couple years.
- Garnie

Agree, he'll be what smith was. But a lot better.

Jared Knight. (ok technically Boston drafted him).
The leafs traded all their second round picks for the past decade, from Kulemin to Dermott.

Bracco is going to be a player!!!!!
- B-Wforever

When did Leafs trade Dermott?

Jared Knight. (ok technically Boston drafted him).
The leafs traded all their second round picks for the past decade, from Kulemin to Dermott.

Bracco is going to be a player!!!!!
- B-Wforever

I saw him Friday night. I honestly don't think he'll be a player.

Hope I'm wrong though.

Oh sure they are better...but not by as much as we'd like to think. If we got to watch the other guys and not M&M day in and day out...we'd probably be singing some different tunes....wasn't long ago Johnny was making min wage...and it won't be long and M&M will be making close $12-15m combined.
- Garnie

Both are on pace for over 70 points over a full season... apart from McJesus, I can't think of a rookie who has come close in their age range (i.e. currently on an ELC).

Just from watching this year it looks like McDavid doesnt have the same calm demeanor as AM... Nor his size which is pretty important for an 82 game sched + playoffs..

Also it should be said that i really like Laines attitude too... just so calm and non selfish...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I agree, I prefer having Matthews on my hockey team than McDavid; mainly because Matthews does it all.

Both are on pace for over 70 points over a full season... apart from McJesus, I can't think of a rookie who has come close in their age range (i.e. currently on an ELC).
- lumlums

True...hopefully they can keep it up and were not just having 1 of those seasons like we did with Grabo/Kule/Mac.

Eichel maybe....but you're right...not many are doing what they have done. Still early...lets not jinx them.

Oh sure they are better...but not by as much as we'd like to think. If we got to watch the other guys and not M&M day in and day out...we'd probably be singing some different tunes....wasn't long ago Johnny was making min wage...and it won't be long and M&M will be making close $12-15m combined.
- Garnie

Those 2 we hope will be worth it.

Those 2 we hope will be worth it.
- bixll

yep