Wrong position though. Great draft year for d, weak for forwards. I mean thats why I was fine with moving Schenn for someone like JVR. Because you can replace Schenn in the depth chart with one of the 2012 stud d. And draft your centre in 2013.
- mykokes

Its a good mix this year, if we stay in the top 5 then we can get a great forward prospect.

Even if we end up with a dman, I'm sure by the time he is ready we can use him.

Parise would be the prize this year if we can sign him.

Look at the 2010-2011 Colrado Avalanche. Just coming off a playoff appearance the previous season.

Hot out of the gate. In the playoffs up until the end of January 2011.

The bottom fell out. Played at a worse rate than this current Leafs team.

Got to pick Landeskog.

Who was their goalie for the awful stretch in Feb and March?

In case you can't remember he is currently leading the NHL in GAA and SV%

Stop the panic people. This team is exactly where it should be. Out of the playoffs.
Lets wait and see what Burke, Nonis and their scouting staff managed to pick in their drafts with the picks they had.

Schenn, Kadri, Blacker, Ross, McKegg, Percy, Biggs. None studs, but not terrible.
Add to that 2008 1st rounder... Colborne, Gardiner and Ashton.

Jordan Eberle was a 23rd pick.
Claude Giroux was a 22nd pick.
Milan Lucic was a 2nd rounder (taken after Kulemin)

Will any of the Leafs picks turn into those guys? Highly unlikely, but it's not impossible.

This poop takes time people. So let's take the top 5 pick, and the high 2nd round pick this June and put them in the cupboards.
- leafs_wingp

Now take that scenario and add 4 more 1st round picks to work with

It's very comparable to 08 in terms of the d. The problem was all these stud d and forwards ended up getting hurt, so a lot of scouts/gms aren't as high on it anymore. I mean Tyler Cuma got hurt and its hard to believe him being in the discussion with Doughty/Bogosian/Pietrangelo, but he was.....the same thing is happening with a lot of the 2012 d.
- mykokes

the kid i like is only on the cusp of top ten

i think gaunce is gonna be a good player... be a nice fit for between kessel and lupul (if resigned) in a couple years.. already 215lbs.. loves to drive the net.. perfect power centre.

people are saying he is a future third liner.. to me.. it depends on linemates.

either way, i like that kid's game.

Do you think Burke was even telling the truth on that one?
If he was and decided to keep this group then it was solely to give Wilson a fair shot at making the playoffs. Well that blew up. another major miscalculation by Burkie.

I also wonder... how often do you see a coach given an extension in Dec then fired in Feb? What a cluster(frank).
- Mr_Smokey

It was. Burke truly believed the pre-deadline swoon would soon end and he had the players and coach to reach the playoffs and learn a little about playoff hockey heading into next season. But that's why he watches games from the Team Box and I watch from my couch... hey wait a minute.

Now take that scenario and add 4 more 1st round picks to work with

- 1979AD

what 4?>

your going to move grabovski for a middle of the pack first rounder?

that would be the dumbest move burke could have done.

mac...sure

who else?

Which of Schenn, Mac, Kule, Reimer would you still consider the team's "core"? I'd say it would be much more of a re-tool than a rebuild.
- 1979AD

Reimer somebody made an offer for, but it wasn't a 1st rounder.

But he can go.

The rest I don't have a problem with keeping with the understanding that I would put Mac on the 3rd line for sure because he can still score and is gritty enough.

Kulemin I would like to keep on the 2nd line if he can find his scoring touch again but have no problems with him on the 3rd as well.

We need to sprinkle some vets and all-stars in now. Guys like Parise if we can get him.

Schenn I would most definitely not give up on. Still way too young and whether or not you like him, he is gaining invaluable experience right now.

Which of Schenn, Mac, Kule, Reimer would you still consider the team's "core"? I'd say it would be much more of a re-tool than a rebuild.
- 1979AD

Schenn I keep for the same reasons the Rangers kept Del Zotto last year, and Winnipeg kept Bogosian. You don't know how he's going to turn out, and he's looked stronger under Carlyle.

The other three I don't think are part of the core...but at the same time, I'm not going to move them for the sake of moving them. Anyone who didn't think Reimer might take a step back this season was fooling themselves. He has next year to turn it around, then you close the book on him if he doesn't.

Mac is merely a placeholder who has value to other teams as a 2nd or 3rd line player. He is an asset that can be moved easily.

what 4?>

your going to move grabovski for a middle of the pack first rounder?

that would be the dumbest move burke could have done.

mac...sure

who else?
- big_dion

According to Burke he turned down a bunch of 1st round picks at the deadline. According to NHL insiders like Dregs, the offers were for Mac, Reimer, Schenn, Kulemin, Grabo.

the kid i like is only on the cusp of top ten

i think gaunce is gonna be a good player... be a nice fit for between kessel and lupul (if resigned) in a couple years.. already 215lbs.. loves to drive the net.. perfect power centre.

people are saying he is a future third liner.. to me.. it depends on linemates.

either way, i like that kid's game.
- Dozzer

We need a high end Center to even start a discussion...Toronto needs to find a way to secure the best C prospect available this draft... they are currently doing that by losing every game....just need to stay on task

According to Burke he turned down a bunch of 1st round picks at the deadline. According to NHL insiders like Dregs, the offers were for Mac, Reimer, Schenn, Kulemin, Grabo.
- 1979AD

Reimer wasn't included in the statement about the 1sts. Dreger reported it.

Burke did later say that an offer was made for Reimer but didn't say if it was a 1st. If it was, he is an idiot for turning it down.

According to Burke he turned down a bunch of 1st round picks at the deadline. According to NHL insiders like Dregs, the offers were for Mac, Reimer, Schenn, Kulemin, Grabo.
- 1979AD

see, id have done the Mac for sure...still dunno what we got in reims, but after this collapse, id have done it looking back.

even tho schenn has been PUTRID this year, and struggled last couple years, i think he will do better under carlyle.

kulemin and grabo IMO are worth more than a first, but thats my 2 cents!

not trying to pick a fight or argue just saying not sure if moving all those pieces for firsts woudl have bene the right call, most teams that offered would be teams going for the cup, not bottom 10.

Reimer somebody made an offer for, but it wasn't a 1st rounder.

But he can go.

The rest I don't have a problem with keeping with the understanding that I would put Mac on the 3rd line for sure because he can still score and is gritty enough.

Kulemin I would like to keep on the 2nd line if he can find his scoring touch again but have no problems with him on the 3rd as well.

We need to sprinkle some vets and all-stars in now. Guys like Parise if we can get him.

Schenn I would most definitely not give up on. Still way too young and whether or not you like him, he is gaining invaluable experience right now.
- leafs93

2nd and 3rd line players can be acquired much easier via UFA and trades. Young superstars can almost only be acquired via the draft. For a team to be perennially successful, they need a young core of superstars to build a team around.

But aren't you a little worried they are grooming him for a 3rd or 4th line role.

I'd rather see him nail down a 35 goal season in the AHL and then bring him up.
- leafs93

He`s not going to be a top 6 forward in the nhl. You should be happy if he pans out as a 3rd liner.

the kid i like is only on the cusp of top ten

i think gaunce is gonna be a good player... be a nice fit for between kessel and lupul (if resigned) in a couple years.. already 215lbs.. loves to drive the net.. perfect power centre.

people are saying he is a future third liner.. to me.. it depends on linemates.

either way, i like that kid's game.
- Dozzer

I like him too and thought that's where we'd end up. I wonder if Colorado will unite him with his brother. We'll see where we end up amigo.

We need a high end Center to even start a discussion...Toronto needs to find a way to secure the best C prospect available this draft... they are currently doing that by losing every game....just need to stay on task
- senstroll

Its either Yakupov, Grigorenko or Galchenyuk I believe.

Didn't somebody report CBJ willing to part with their 1st round pick.

The lower TOR finishes the better chance they can make that swap.

We need a high end Center to even start a discussion...Toronto needs to find a way to secure the best C prospect available this draft... they are currently doing that by losing every game....just need to stay on task
- senstroll

So wish it was 2013 though haha....I really want Sid Jr.

Now take that scenario and add 4 more 1st round picks to work with

- 1979AD

I'm ok with Kessel. Yeah sure Seguin and Hamilton would look nice, but a 40 goal scorer isn't anything to shake a stick at. Don't tell me Jared Knight. (Greg McKegg is better than Knight)
And likely we would have drafted Ross with that pick anyway.

The Gardiner/Lupul and Kaberle trades made up a little bit for the Kessel deal.

Still... get rid of the fat, I couldn't care less "veterans" and go with mostly youth next season.

Also... Get a MOTHER (frank)EN VETERAN BACKUP and/or dump Francois Allaire!

He`s not going to be a top 6 forward in the nhl. You should be happy if he pans out as a 3rd liner.
- pens_66

Who's that?

I'm ok with Kessel. Yeah sure Seguin and Hamilton would look nice, but a 40 goal scorer isn't anything to shake a stick at. Don't tell me Jared Knight. (Greg McKegg is better than Knight)
And likely we would have drafted Ross with that pick anyway.

The Gardiner/Lupul and Kaberle trades made up a little bit for the Kessel deal.

Still... get rid of the fat, I couldn't care less "veterans" and go with mostly youth next season.

Also... Get a MOTHER (frank)EN VETERAN BACKUP and/or dump Francois Allaire!
- leafs_wingp

We are so on the same page.....ride the kids next season like we should've done this season, worse case scenerio we start following the Oiler model of getting top 3 picks.....best case scenerio we have a young exciting team. This one has too much dead weight doing absolutely (frank) all. Stares at Connolly for starters.

Its either Yakupov, Grigorenko or Galchenyuk I believe.

Didn't somebody report CBJ willing to part with their 1st round pick.

The lower TOR finishes the better chance they can make that swap.
- leafs93

Yak is a winger and I doubt columbus moves that pick.. unless some miracle that someone else wins the #1 pick...Yakupov is a Jacket.

I think Montreal needs a Center as well... Edm needs D .... somehow we need to suck more than Montreal..or get lucky and jump them with the lottery win

2nd and 3rd line players can be acquired much easier via UFA and trades. Young superstars can almost only be acquired via the draft. For a team to be perennially successful, they need a young core of superstars to build a team around.
- 1979AD

I guess my point being that our 3rd line sucks now.

If we take Kule and Mac and put them on the 3rd line then it injects some offense and they are still good defensively.

Then we shore up our 2nd line with maybe a guy like Parise and suddenly we have some balanced scoring.

I still see use for those guys.

Yak is a winger and I doubt columbus moves that pick.. unless some miracle that someone else wins the #1 pick...Yakupov is a Jacket.

I think Montreal needs a Center as well... Edm needs D .... somehow we need to suck more than Montreal..or get lucky and jump them with the lottery win
- senstroll

Go Habs GO!

he's a ufa....would you resign with toronto if you were gustavsson?
- Barx

You would if it were your only chance at keeping a job in the NHL.

I'm ok with Kessel. Yeah sure Seguin and Hamilton would look nice, but a 40 goal scorer isn't anything to shake a stick at. Don't tell me Jared Knight. (Greg McKegg is better than Knight)
And likely we would have drafted Ross with that pick anyway.

The Gardiner/Lupul and Kaberle trades made up a little bit for the Kessel deal.

Still... get rid of the fat, I couldn't care less "veterans" and go with mostly youth next season.

Also... Get a MOTHER (frank)EN VETERAN BACKUP and/or dump Francois Allaire!
- leafs_wingp

Kessel hasn't scored 40 yet. I fully understand he has the potential, but let's not count chickens until they hatch. Also, 1 dimensional 40 goal scorers aren't as valuable as they seem. Did you know Kessel has been on the ice for more 5-5 goals against than any other fwd? He's also apparently only capable of scoring off the rush, and can be easily intimidated and thrown off his game by getting in his grill. There's a HUGE difference between a "40" goal scorer like Philip and an actual 40 goal scorer who adds so much more to his team like Ryan Kesler.

I guess my point being that our 3rd line sucks now.

If we take Kule and Mac and put them on the 3rd line then it injects some offense and they are still good defensively.

Then we shore up our 2nd line with maybe a guy like Parise and suddenly we have some balanced scoring.

I still see use for those guys.
- leafs93

If you want Parise, then you use Kessel in a trade to get your 1st line centre. Parise thrives on high minutes.