Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Gold-Medal Day in Moscow, Pondering Laine vs. Matthews The Auston Matthews - Patrik Laine debate for the No. 1 draft pick continues to rage here in Russia. Both players will be outstanding in the NHL.

Both seem like they're going to be very good players in the NHL Carol. For the Leafs, in their situation, I hope and don't doubt they will go Matthews. Only downside is we'll be cheering for a Yank

Really Carol, Maple Leafs?

It's been said by everyone, but even if Laine has closed the gap with Matthews, it'll come down to position. The Leafs haven't had a big, potentially star centre since Sundin and they won't get a chance like this to get one again. But Winnipeg sure won't be complaining about picking up Laine. I'm glad Laine is going to the other conference.

I think the general consensus here is no one cares who the Leafs take.

I think the general consensus here is no one cares who the Leafs take.
- VanHockeyGuy

Fair enough. I've been thinking about it more in terms of the questions of who deserves to be picked first overall and who will have the better career long term. That'd be interesting to me no matter who holds the pick, same as it was in 2014 in Florida and all the years in Edmonton.

Fair enough. I've been thinking about it more in terms of the questions of who deserves to be picked first overall and who will have the better career long term. That'd be interesting to me no matter who holds the pick, same as it was in 2014 in Florida and all the years in Edmonton.
- Carol Schram

Whoever's first goes to a team a world away. I think people here on the west coast are more concerned about what Vancouver is going to do about righting the ship than the center of the universe. That said the Canuck's obviously must be confident in their silence.

I think the general consensus here is no one cares who the Leafs take.
- VanHockeyGuy

Well even when it's other teams picking in the the top three or five in the draft I find speculating about how the kids will turn out and what teams will do to be fun hockey talk.

This draft is interesting because all the Canadian teams will have a chance to add some nice prospects. The Canucks can get a real good player in their position. After the debacle of all the Canadian teams missing the playoffs this year, hopefully they all do well in the draft and get back into the mix together so we can see some great rivalry playoff matchups again.

Who do you guys favour for the Canucks' pick and/or is there a sense of what management will actually do?

Dubois or Tkachuk from all indications. Building, for the Canucks, is going to take a few more years considering Benning was handed an aged team with only one or two prospects of mention.

I suspect the Canucks are going to need two more good drafts before they even have a sniff at turning the corner post Sedin era (two more years).

Dubois or Tkachuk from all indications. Building, for the Canucks, is going to take a few more years considering Benning was handed an aged team with only one or two prospects of mention.

I suspect the Canucks are going to need two more good drafts before they even have a sniff at turning the corner post Sedin era (two more years).
- LeftCoaster

From what I gather it sounds like you can't go wrong with either one. The good thing for Canucks fans is that at least they won't do what the Leafs did at the end of the Sundin era and try to carry on by signing UFAs and trading picks. The JFJ/Burke eras made it obvious to everyone that if a window is closing, you must return to building via the draft.

Fair enough. I've been thinking about it more in terms of the questions of who deserves to be picked first overall and who will have the better career long term. That'd be interesting to me no matter who holds the pick, same as it was in 2014 in Florida and all the years in Edmonton.
- Carol Schram

Firstly, both players look great!

Secondly, because Matthews is a center I think he's the odds on favorite to go #1, smart teams build around centers and great defense. Toronto has never proven to be a smart organization, in my lifetime, thus far they've changed their approach to building under Shanahan, but they've proven nothing yet....I'll be watching to see how it turns out for them.

And just for the record, I hate all Toronto sports teams and their media outlets with a passion. Full disclaimer! I don't hate their fans, but I can't stand the teams.

From what I gather it sounds like you can't go wrong with either one. The good thing for Canucks fans is that at least they won't do what the Leafs did at the end of the Sundin era and try to carry on by signing UFAs and trading picks. The JFJ/Burke eras made it obvious to everyone that if a window is closing, you must return to building via the draft.
- Zezel

I think you'll see Benning try to remain competitive, but you won't see him trade any youth or first round draft picks while he's rebuilding. So far his drafting looks really good with Virtanen, McCann, Demko, Tryamkin & Boeser.

Firstly, both players look great!

Secondly, because Matthews is a center I think he's the odds on favorite to go #1, smart teams build around centers and great defense. Toronto has never proven to be a smart organization, in my lifetime, thus far they've changed their approach to building under Shanahan, but they've proven nothing yet....ill be watching to see how it turns out for them.

And just for the record, I hate all Toronto sports teams and their media outlets with a passion. Full disclaimer! I don't hate their fans, but I can't stand the teams.
- LeftCoaster

That's natural, I hate pretty much all the other teams.

The Canucks v. Leafs fan rivalry has always been funny because the teams really have nothing to do with each other, and they're two of the most tortured fanbases in hockey.

I think you'll see Benning try to remain competitive, but you won't see him trade any youth or first round draft picks while he's rebuilding. So far his drafting looks really good with Virtanen, McCann, Demko, Tryamkin & Boeser.
- LeftCoaster

Yeah, you just can't do it any other way under the cap system. I like that Virtanen a lot, he should be a good one.

Firstly, both players look great!

Secondly, because Matthews is a center I think he's the odds on favorite to go #1, smart teams build around centers and great defense. Toronto has never proven to be a smart organization, in my lifetime, thus far they've changed their approach to building under Shanahan, but they've proven nothing yet....I'll be watching to see how it turns out for them.

And just for the record, I hate all Toronto sports teams and their media outlets with a passion. Full disclaimer! I don't hate their fans, but I can't stand the teams.
- LeftCoaster

Best thing you have said all month.


Toronto teams have been sh1t for over a decade and the media brings it to us front and centre every day . I could not honestly name two Blue jays or one Raptor player.

Their fans are devoted , it is the rest of the package of the city no one cares about.

That's natural, I hate pretty much all the other teams.

The Canucks v. Leafs fan rivalry has always been funny because the teams really have nothing to do with each other, and they're two of the most tortured fanbases in hockey.
- Zezel

I love the "we suck less than you do" arguments. And for the record I've participated in them...sadly. I got sucked in.

Yeah, you just can't do it any other way under the cap system. I like that Virtanen a lot, he should be a good one.
- Zezel

I really like the kid too, some say Benning should have drafted Ehlers or Nylander, but I like the physicality he brings with some offence. His compete level is high.

IMO you need that physical element to win, along with your pure skill guys.

Best thing you have said all month.


Toronto teams have been sh1t for over a decade and the media brings it to us front and centre every day . I could not honestly name two Blue jays or one Raptor player.

Their fans are devoted , it is the rest of the package of the city no one cares about.
- VANTEL

I despise Sportsnet and TSN more than the Leafs! Blue Jays I just don't care about and I don't know anything about basketball....but (frank) Toronto just the same

Those Russian women in the stands

You really can’t blame players going to unconventional hockey markets. Walking down the street in TO, MTL, VAN etc. verses showing up to the rink with Maui Jim’s & Flip Flops in LA or FLA, leaving the rink with no one breaking your balls? Then you get TSN mentally masturbating every possible hockey scenario with their east coast bias 365 days a year.

Thanks Carol!!

Eklund is extremely fortunate to have you, as are we!

I think the general consensus here is no one cares who the Leafs take.
- VanHockeyGuy

Yes, yes it is.

I really like the kid too, some say Benning should have drafted Ehlers or Nylander, but I like the physicality he brings with some offence. His compete level is high.

IMO you need that physical element to win, along with your pure skill guys.
- LeftCoaster

I don't care about missing out on Ehlers or Nylander at all.

I want Jake to bring it every shift and not take games off.

I want JB to give him a winger that has his back. McGinn might be a good winger with him.

Firstly, both players look great!

Secondly, because Matthews is a center I think he's the odds on favorite to go #1, smart teams build around centers and great defense. Toronto has never proven to be a smart organization, in my lifetime, thus far they've changed their approach to building under Shanahan, but they've proven nothing yet....I'll be watching to see how it turns out for them.

And just for the record, I hate all Toronto sports teams and their media outlets with a passion. Full disclaimer! I don't hate their fans, but I can't stand the teams.
- LeftCoaster