So, so far the draft order looks like it's gonna be Yakupov, Forsberg, Galchenyuk... The Islanders will probably grab Murray... meaning Grigorenko or Trouba for the Leafs

So, so far the draft order looks like it's gonna be Yakupov, Forsberg, Galchenyuk... The Islanders will probably grab Murray... meaning Grigorenko or Trouba for the Leafs
- Feeling Glucky?

Take Grigorenko I say

So, so far the draft order looks like it's gonna be Yakupov, Forsberg, Galchenyuk... The Islanders will probably grab Murray... meaning Grigorenko or Trouba for the Leafs
- Feeling Glucky?

For me ..everything's still a guess after Yakupov. Everybody seems to have their favourites which might make for some trading around in the draft.

Take Grigorenko I say
- senstroll

Yeah, like I prefer Galchenyuk like everyone else, but Grigorenko has 1C hands and vision. His character has been questioned but he could turn out to be a Kopitar or Spezza like center. Big guys that aren' t physical but I would welcome them in a Leafs jersey any day.

Mac's write up on him actually says he mucks it up and goes hard for the net. So he can't be completely fragile out there. The right coach guiding him he could be a force.

For me ..everything's still a guess after Yakupov. Everybody seems to have their favourites which might make for some trading around in the draft.
- The Law

my favourite would be Galy, but I'd be ok with Grigorenko... guy's crazy talented, has good size, is a center, and could be ready to step right into the Leaf's roster.

my favourite would be Galy, but I'd be ok with Grigorenko... guy's crazy talented, has good size, is a center, and could be ready to step right into the Leaf's roster.
- Feeling Glucky?

I think Burke would have him develop 1 year IMO.

my favourite would be Galy, but I'd be ok with Grigorenko... guy's crazy talented, has good size, is a center, and could be ready to step right into the Leaf's roster.
- Feeling Glucky?

High risk, maybe high reward or would you rather try for a safer all round good player like Faksa or Gaunce, they play a physical two way game, won't be stars but will probably be solid NHL'ers.

Edit: we need centres badly, Colborne and sometime centre McKegg is all we have in the system.

my favourite would be Galy, but I'd be ok with Grigorenko... guy's crazy talented, has good size, is a center, and could be ready to step right into the Leaf's roster.
- Feeling Glucky?

Tough draft ...they've got a small sample size on Galy and all sorts of questions about Forsberg and Grigorenko. Some scouts will get fired a few years after this draft.

I hope Dudley left good notes.

I would be pretty excited if Columbus took Forsberg at 2nd. Galy, Grigs, or Murray? (frank) yeah.

Yeah, like I prefer Galchenyuk like everyone else, but Grigorenko has 1C hands and vision. His character has been questioned but he could turn out to be a Kopitar or Spezza like center. Big guys that aren' t physical but I would welcome them in a Leafs jersey any day.
- Boosinicka

Sundin wasn't overly physical either, but he used his size to defend the puck like nobody else could... I'll admit to not paying too much attention to prospects this season, but from what I've read, other than the concerns over consistency and heart, he sounds quite a bit like Mats... with a good mix of playmaking and scoring skill, he'd look great on a line with Kessel.

Galchenyuk is who we need.

my 2 cents

High risk, maybe high reward or would you rather try for a safer all round good player like Faksa or Gaunce, they play a physical two way game, won't be stars but will probably be solid NHL'ers.
- LeafMan

playing it safe will get you a team full of 2nd liners... guys like what Gaunce and Faksa aren't hard to obtain outside the draft... guys with the potential of Grigorenko and Galchenyuk(imo a pretty risky pick as well) usually can't be had without tearing appart your team. Swing for the fences.

High risk, maybe high reward or would you rather try for a safer all round good player like Faksa or Gaunce, they play a physical two way game, won't be stars but will probably be solid NHL'ers.
- LeafMan

I think if Burke grabs Luongo that will be him being "safe". And allows him to take a risk like Grigorenko who is 1C potential. And we need that badly. Faksa and Gaunce would be amazing to have, but they don't alleviate our need of a 1C.

I would be pretty excited if Columbus took Forsberg at 2nd. Galy, Grigs, or Murray? (frank) yeah.
- Boosinicka

call me crazy if you will, but i see Forsberg slipping in the draft come 'draft day'.

fifth or later.

High risk, maybe high reward or would you rather try for a safer all round good player like Faksa or Gaunce, they play a physical two way game, won't be stars but will probably be solid NHL'ers.

Edit: we need centres badly, Colborne and sometime centre McKegg is all we have in the system.
- LeafMan

McKegg shifting to wing an awful lot, Faksa was wing primarily. We need a real center, hopefully somebody that can win some board battles and a face-off.

High risk, maybe high reward or would you rather try for a safer all round good player like Faksa or Gaunce, they play a physical two way game, won't be stars but will probably be solid NHL'ers.
- LeafMan

Today's scouts should have a good handle on this "heart" thing. He's only 18 but if he's lazy and heartless then really how often does that change with further development? I'm not saying it won't but these scouts (experts) better have their poop together because it's what they're paid to know.

The worst thing that could happen is they scout him and decide he's got no heart but then trick themselves into believing they can coach it out of him. I think BB has always said he looks for guys with high compete levels at the draft.

McKegg shifting to wing an awful lot, Faksa was wing primarily. We need a real center, hopefully somebody that can win some board battles and a face-off.
- AdamFrench

I know people say take a d-man if available but damn, if and a big if. if Schultz is coming that can address it, if not Gardiner and Blacker are in the system, we NEED skilled centres, you have to take chances, the Leafs need to find one this draft.

What I mean by chances, grab a couple of centres with the first two picks, stock the system.

Today's scouts should have a good handle on this "heart" thing. He's only 18 but if he's lazy and heartless then really how often does that change with further development? I'm not saying it won't but these scouts (experts) better have their poop together because it's what they're paid to know.

The worst thing that could happen is they scout him and decide he's got no heart but then trick themselves into believing they can coach it out of him. I think BB has always said he looks for guys with high compete levels at the draft.
- The Law

Top it all off it came out Grigorenko had mono during the playoffs and end of the year.

Top it all off it came out Grigorenko had mono during the playoffs and end of the year.
- AdamFrench

Yeah ...Grigorenko is going to make or break some GM/Scout's career.

Today's scouts should have a good handle on this "heart" thing. He's only 18 but if he's lazy and heartless then really how often does that change with further development? I'm not saying it won't but these scouts (experts) better have their poop together because it's what they're paid to know.

The worst thing that could happen is they scout him and decide he's got no heart but then trick themselves into believing they can coach it out of him. I think BB has always said he looks for guys with high compete levels at the draft.
- The Law

You don't get to where any of these guys are by being lazy or heartless... it's about staying focused and motivated. A lot of guys, when they make it big, lose their focus, and get lost inside their own heads. Dealing with these guys isn't about trying to weed out the laziness, it's about finding the right motivation.

I know people say take a d-man if available but damn, if and a big if. if Schultz is coming that can address it, if not Gardiner and Blacker are in the system, we NEED skilled centres, you have to take chances, the Leafs need to find one this draft.

What I mean by chances, grab a couple of centres with the first two picks, stock the system.
- LeafMan

Or, sign Schultz and swing a deal (Schenn? or whatever) to land a young centreman if they can. Schultz makes some of the other pieces 'more' available.

I was pleasantly surprised by reading the discussions last night, thanks. What is the point of the senseless arguments that just go round and round.
- LeafMan

Okay - so I'm going to bait the ref here...

are there any particular culprits, that if they weren't around - would allow for more "rounded" conversations?

(I'm not actually expecting an answer - PM).

You don't get to where any of these guys are by being lazy or heartless... it's about staying focused and motivated. A lot of guys, when they make it big, lose their focus, and get lost inside their own heads. Dealing with these guys isn't about trying to weed out the laziness, it's about finding the right motivation.
- Feeling Glucky?

I'd also say tempering expectations. Some people expect players to be robots and go out there scoring 24 highlight reel goals a game and when they don't it's because they are lazy...I mean he did it once so he has the skill he just must be slacking!

Okay - so I'm going to bait the ref here...

are there any particular culprits, that if they weren't around - would allow for more "rounded" conversations?

(I'm not actually expecting an answer - PM).


- BorjeFan4Ever

They were behaved for the most part, all I can ask, it's a start and I'm happy for now, haha.

Or, sign Schultz and swing a deal (Schenn? or whatever) to land a young centreman if they can. Schultz makes some of the other pieces 'more' available.
- The Law

Well if he is signed, going to have to move 1 or 2, we also have Holzer that needs to be up here, AHL is done for him, can't see him resigning to be on the farm again.