I don't think anyone could have predicted how bad the Sedins got in such a short period of time
- CanuckDon

agreed, no one could have predicated, which I guess is half the reason this is taking as long as it has. I still think we are honestly 3 years away from competing.

I don't think anyone could have predicted how bad the Sedins got in such a short period of time
- CanuckDon

Last year they both had really decent years and still finished third last, this is hardly at their feet.

good timing..
- belcherbd

No...my point being I thought that rebuilding on the fly could possibly work. Our "best" players became awful overnight so it's become clear we need to burn this thing to the ground

Last year they both had really decent years and still finished third last, this is hardly at their feet.
- Pacificgem

They certainly are a problem. They are an absolute liability right now when they aren't being sheltered

They certainly are a problem. They are an absolute liability right now when they aren't being sheltered
- CanuckDon

1 more year, 14 mill cap hit

and a couple of bounces right?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Yes I agree they did inherit some nice pieces from Nonis and Burke, namely Kadri, Reilly and Nylander. Benning only had younger players like Horvat and Hutton, plus a 6th overall pick.
- Pacificgem

Difference is that they had a nice trade chip in Kessel available. They also got a 4OA and 1st OA where we got a 23 OA and 5 OA. Our future in Net looks bettr ATM, as well as our future in D. Forwards will be easier to catch up on than G and D.

No...my point being I thought that rebuilding on the fly could possibly work. Our "best" players became awful overnight so it's become clear we need to burn this thing to the ground
- CanuckDon

I can agree with that but i'd say somehow moving out the Sedins &
Edler has to happen. Thats a tough one to get done.

They certainly are a problem. They are an absolute liability right now when they aren't being sheltered
- CanuckDon

For this year yes I agree, but they're just one problem of many.

Which FA's are you bringing back?

Obviously Horvat, Tryamkin and Gudbranson.

For me I qualify Gaunce, Labate, McEnemy, Boucher, Gartieg, Chaput.


Rodin, Cramrossa, Skille, Megna, Shore, Larsen, Pedan, Zalewski, Grenier, Billins, Rendulic, Nillson can all jog on, I want to reset our depth.
- belcherbd

Difference is that they had a nice trade chip in Kessel available. They also got a 4OA and 1st OA where we got a 23 OA and 5 OA. Our future in Net looks bettr ATM, as well as our future in D. Forwards will be easier to catch up on than G and D.
- Retinalz

If we lucked out & got Matthews then sutter is a winger & we look a lot better off. The Leafs would be many years off of doing anything without Matthews.

Difference is that they had a nice trade chip in Kessel available. They also got a 4OA and 1st OA where we got a 23 OA and 5 OA. Our future in Net looks bettr ATM, as well as our future in D. Forwards will be easier to catch up on than G and D.
- Retinalz

When Benning took over he had a good trade chip in Ryan Kesler and he inherited a 6th overall. Shanahan wasn't gifted a 4th overall and a 1st overall, that was his plan to finish that low, accumulate a ton of draft picks and build from there.

He did have better young roster players than Benning, but that's about it.

If we lucked out & got Matthews then sutter is a winger & we look a lot better off. The Leafs would be many years off of doing anything without Matthews.
- Nighthawk

So the plan all along was to luck out?

When Benning took over he had a good trade chip in Ryan Kesler and he inherited a 6th overall. Shanahan wasn't gifted a 4th overall and a 1st overall, that was his plan to finish that low, accumulate a ton of draft picks and build from there.

He did have better young roster players than Benning, but that's about it.
- Pacificgem

What kind of a trade chip did he have? He gave a list of one (frank)ing team. I (frank)ing hate Kessler

Middlestadt, Foote.
- VanHockeyGuy

When Benning took over he had a good trade chip in Ryan Kesler and he inherited a 6th overall. Shanahan wasn't gifted a 4th overall and a 1st overall, that was his plan to finish that low, accumulate a ton of draft picks and build from there.

He did have better young roster players than Benning, but that's about it.
- Pacificgem

The Leafs had no choice & were horrible & hence capable for tanking.
We on the other hand were hamstrung from MG's NMC & NTC's.
The Leafs r still miles away with sad D & it will take years yet drafting & developing D. They don't draft D high & if they don't change that they will not contend for many years.

If we lucked out & got Matthews then sutter is a winger & we look a lot better off. The Leafs would be many years off of doing anything without Matthews.
- Nighthawk

Nobody here really likes the Leafs, but you need to be more realistic. Even without Matthews, the young talent level on the Leafs easily surpasses ours.

So the plan all along was to luck out?
- belcherbd

We had no choice. Our roster didn't allow us to tank like the Leafs.

Nobody here really likes the Leafs, but you need to be more realistic. Even without Matthews, the young talent level on the Leafs easily surpasses ours.
- golfingsince

Yes true but realistically they r nothing without Matthews.
Jets have tons of young talent & r a lotto team.

Yes true but realistically they r nothing without Matthews.
Jets have tons of young talent & r a lotto team.
- Nighthawk

So if they don't luck out and get Matthews they get Laine instead? Nice consolation prize. They'd still be miles ahead of us, partially because they've been drafting high for a decade.

What kind of a trade chip did he have? He gave a list of one (frank)ing team. I (frank)ing hate Kessler
- CanuckDon

It's not like Kessel was doing the leafs any favours either.

From the Bobfather.

"I think the list was ostensibly put together probably to places that: A) He would be prepared to play if he had to, and B) places that are salary capped out... I think that the list - for the most part - was designed to make his modified no-trade as close to a full no-trade as possible."

We had no choice. Our roster didn't allow us to tank like the Leafs.
- Nighthawk

There were plenty of choices made to try and keep the party going. Being unlucky in the draft happens. Signing marginal vets to longer term deals was a choice.

So the plan all along was to luck out?
- belcherbd

Hey, that's my line....

So if they don't luck out and get Matthews they get Laine instead? Nice consolation prize. They'd still be miles ahead of us, partially because they've been drafting high for a decade.
- golfingsince

True but miles ahead is a WC spot cuz of a weak division.
D is weak & none in the system that will impact change.
Ignoring OJ & his potential is yet to be seen.
Sedins & our lack of another top C is our achilles heal.

There were plenty of choices made to try and keep the party going. Being unlucky in the draft happens. Signing marginal vets to longer term deals was a choice.
- belcherbd

So was drafting Virtanen.