Mike Augello: Who Are The Leafs Aiming For After Matthews??

Mike Augello: Who Are The Leafs Aiming For After Matthews??
- mikeinbuffalo

As far as team improvements : Stamkos, solid NHL caliber number one goalie, and another good defenseman to compliment Rielly.

As far as the draft goes, I would suspect they will take a goalie with their second round pick - (Gustavsson) or - the one acquired from Washington (Hart or Parsons). I suspect that the Pittsburgh pick - will be packaged off with some roster and AHL players to move up in the draft to about position #14 (Boston) and the Leafs will select a defenseman - one of Bean, Fabbro, McAvoy or Stanley - whichever they like or is available. I expect the Leafs to be very active on draft day - meaning they will complete 2-3 trades of significance.

I can really see max Jones with the second #1 pick., then a goalie or 2 within the 2-4th rounds.

But the leafs will be sure to make some deals on draft day. The one I can really see is for kinkaid in NJ. Kid is really good, and Lou likes this kid....not sure what would go the other way....but it's no surprise NJ is looking for scoring.

I can really see max Jones with the second #1 pick., then a goalie or 2 within the 2-4th rounds.

But the leafs will be sure to make some deals on draft day. The one I can really see is for kinkaid in NJ. Kid is really good, and Lou likes this kid....not sure what would go the other way....but it's no surprise NJ is looking for scoring.
- Kinggilmour

I don't think Jones will last till #30, what value he may have lost with the 12 game suspension, he won back after he returned. A big winger with mobility is attractive, so he probably goes in the teens or early 20's.

Niemelainen would be a nice fit

I don't think Jones will last till #30, what value he may have lost with the 12 game suspension, he won back after he returned. A big winger with mobility is attractive, so he probably goes in the teens or early 20's.
- mikeinbuffalo

But he hasn't put up big numbers...this was the first uear he put up decent numbers on a high flying Knights team. I guess we'll see. After watching a guy like Barzal fall into the late teens last year.....I can see Jones dropping to the late first early second round.

Niemelainen would be a nice fit
- mr.sir

Filip Gustavsson - with pick 31 - even though the other Gustavsson didn't exactly pan out.

5th.

(closest I've ever been to first, I'll take it.)

Edit: God dammit winsix. 6th.

But he hasn't put up big numbers...this was the first uear he put up decent numbers on a high flying Knights team. I guess we'll see. After watching a guy like Barzal fall into the late teens last year.....I can see Jones dropping to the late first early second round.
- Kinggilmour

The hockey sites have him rated as high as fourteen and as low as 23 - doubt very much he slips to 30

The hockey sites have him rated as high as fourteen and as low as 23 - doubt very much he slips to 30
- winsix

In Brendan gallghers draft year he scored 41 goals in 54 games and went 147th overall, even after playing for team canada and playing top minutes in the whl.

When I see guys like Logan brown projected In the top 10.....it makes me wonder who watches these guys play?? I've watched almost every single spitfire game, and let me tell you....Logan brown is not great..,,Logan Stanley is terrible!!

I said it about ho sang, and I'll say it about these guys....overrated, and highly unlikely to contribute in the NHL.

That being said...a lot of high flying players and pedigree players will get selected before jones...we won't know until draft day right?

I'd be calling the Avs and Bruins about Pickard and Subban.

In Brendan gallghers draft year he scored 41 goals in 54 games and went 147th overall, even after playing for team canada and playing top minutes in the whl.

When I see guys like Logan brown projected In the top 10.....it makes me wonder who watches these guys play?? I've watched almost every single spitfire game, and let me tell you....Logan brown is not great..,,Logan Stanley is terrible!!

I said it about ho sang, and I'll say it about these guys....overrated, and highly unlikely to contribute in the NHL.

That being said...a lot of high flying players and pedigree players will get selected before jones...we won't know until draft day right?
- Kinggilmour

You are absolutely right - we won't know how things go until draft day.
You probably watched more junior hockey than I. What I know about Logan Brown is that he scored 74 points in 59 games for Windsor, he is 6'6" (which cannot be taught or learned) and his dad Jeff scored 585 points over 747 games (not too bad for a second rounder) - I think he will be a top-ten pick. Are there faster more skilled players? - yes, but the chance at drafting a scoring 6'6" centre - for a team like Montreal - will be difficult to pass on. My guess he goes in the top ten for sure. Either Calgary or Montreal will snag him. Logan Stanley - is 6'7" and still growing - people will remember another spastic big defenseman taken 56th by Ottawa. Chara - and he became a dominant player on a cup winning team.

I can really see max Jones with the second #1 pick., then a goalie or 2 within the 2-4th rounds.

But the leafs will be sure to make some deals on draft day. The one I can really see is for kinkaid in NJ. Kid is really good, and Lou likes this kid....not sure what would go the other way....but it's no surprise NJ is looking for scoring.
- Kinggilmour

I didn't realize that the pick gave an improvement to vision...?

In Brendan gallghers draft year he scored 41 goals in 54 games and went 147th overall, even after playing for team canada and playing top minutes in the whl.

When I see guys like Logan brown projected In the top 10.....it makes me wonder who watches these guys play?? I've watched almost every single spitfire game, and let me tell you....Logan brown is not great..,,Logan Stanley is terrible!!

I said it about ho sang, and I'll say it about these guys....overrated, and highly unlikely to contribute in the NHL.

That being said...a lot of high flying players and pedigree players will get selected before jones...we won't know until draft day right?
- Kinggilmour

Gallagher didn't play for team Canada until 2 years after his draft.

Unless you mean a U17 team Canada West thing... which of course you don't

Gallagher didn't play for team Canada until 2 years after his draft.

Unless you mean a U17 team Canada West thing... which of course you don't
- lumlums

Now, now Lums. Play nice.

Now, now Lums. Play nice.
- Steven_Seagull

I am.


I come from English hooligan stock.


I can play like a female genitalia if need be

- nbboy

Filip Gustavsson - with pick 31 - even though the other Gustavsson didn't exactly pan out.
- winsix

I think they go with Parsons over Gustavsson.

I think they go with Parsons over Gustavsson.
- mikeinbuffalo

or draft a dman

and trade Bozak for Ryan Miller

I was watching some of last year's draft, Button said marner is an Erik Karlsson on forward. Now I like button again.
Also marner eats skittles before games, taste the rainbow

Keep an eye out for Luke Green on Defense. Good wheels, good strength and apparently still with room to improve. Hunter has been zeroed in on guys who have the tools and potential to grow.

I'm not sold on taking a goalie in round 2 as goalies rarely show their true potential at age 18. It may well be a better move to deal a pick or a prospect for a 20 or 21 year old goalie with promise. The Rangers have 3 good ones and need to get younger. Lou could land a bargain that only needs an extra year or two to develop, instead of 3 or 4.

You are absolutely right - we won't know how things go until draft day.
You probably watched more junior hockey than I. What I know about Logan Brown is that he scored 74 points in 59 games for Windsor, he is 6'6" (which cannot be taught or learned) and his dad Jeff scored 585 points over 747 games (not too bad for a second rounder) - I think he will be a top-ten pick. Are there faster more skilled players? - yes, but the chance at drafting a scoring 6'6" centre - for a team like Montreal - will be difficult to pass on. My guess he goes in the top ten for sure. Either Calgary or Montreal will snag him. Logan Stanley - is 6'7" and still growing - people will remember another spastic big defenseman taken 56th by Ottawa. Chara - and he became a dominant player on a cup winning team.
- winsix

Except Chara wasn't drafted by Ottawa.... So there's that.

German Rubtsov is a 17 year old, 6'2" Russian center. He appears around the 15th slot on most draft lists. He gets Tarasenko type language in regard to the intensity and passion that he brings to the game. I just read an article making a Datsyuk like comparison in terms of his overall defensive play. His agent (Mark Gandler) is trying to make arrangements for him to play in North America next year. I think he sneaks up higher on some team's draft list (perhaps top 10) over the next couple of weeks. From the Hockey Writers blog:

"Rubtsov is a highly-intelligent two-way center and is probably one of the players with the highest Hockey IQ of the entire draft. He possesses a great vision and can really distribute the puck very well. He seems to always be aware of his line mates and is a great setup guy. Rubtsov makes smart decisions with the puck and barely turns the puck over. He is a calm puck carrier and uses his strong puck-handling skills to dance through the neutral zone with speed."

I think they go with Parsons over Gustavsson.
- mikeinbuffalo

Not very often you have a Cary Price (Luongo, Fleury) that actually makes it big after appearing to be so much better than any other junior goaltender. Generally, goalies develop their game far more slowly. So, they are a much higher risk when picked as a late first or even as a second round pick.

When you get to the late first round (29th or 30th) you are still going to have some very good skill and size on the board. I would be reluctant to take a goalie with a first of second pick out of this particular draft.