Exactly. Traditionally, teams have drafted well and built a team through every medium possible.

And you actually have a higher chance of drafting elite talent with more pircks than higher picks. So if anything, we should trade away some middling players for late firsts and still keep what's currently our core in Phaneuf, Kessel and Lupul.
- Viktory

The only reason the phaneufs and kessels should be traded is if they bring in more legitimate young talent.. Which just doesn't seem plausible. They're a part of future core until opportunity suggests otherwise.

So what's the Leafs' current "blueprint?" What's the Leafs' direction?

Don't answer, it's a rhetorical question, BECAUSE NO ONE (frank)IN' KNOWS!?!?
- As_I_See_It

Mediocrity.

There is a difference between tanking and just being bad. Sadly that difference is being treated as mythical as Unicorns around here.

Chicago and Pittsburgh never tanked. They were just awful, and didnt have the fan support and financial means to compete with Tor, Det, NYR, Philly etc.

Even Edmonton never planned on tanking, it just happened. See the offer sheets to Vanek and Penner.

The only reason the phaneufs and kessels should be traded is if they bring in more legitimate young talent.. Which just doesn't seem plausible. They're a part of future core until opportunity suggests otherwise.
- joel878

Actually, scratch that. Trade Phaneuf, it'll probably make the team better.

They didn't have to trade anybody to be as bad as they were.
- Two_For_Truth

Because fans werent coming out and the team wasnt spending money they werent making. Chicago had among the worst attendance totals in the league. They also blacked out their games on TV to try force fans to come out. It was a joke and a mess. It was not a plan to build their team. Complete disfunction.

There was that Roenick character.....
- golfingsince

Yeah in 1996

it does get you a franchise player more often than not though. What's done with that player is a different story.

This is why he hates Kessel so much - cost the Leafs their only shot at a potential franchise player in his lifetime. maybe even 2 (Hamilton)...
- Big_Lightnin

He hates everything. Can't be taken seriously.

To follow that road now though involves either trading the kadri's and frattin's that are helping this team win, or hindering their development by burying them in the minors. The kulemin MacArthur types? Sure.. Trade em. But we'd still have players who would be helping us win, which is in contrast to the tank theory, and does nothing but further develop our youngsters in a toxic losing atmosphere.

It's not a productive plan no matter how its looked at, and what we have no can be built upon if its done properly.

Actually, scratch that. Trade Phaneuf, it'll probably make the team better.
- Viktory

I'd be a fan of giving phaneuf to the deadline to build some value, and then trade him.

Don't want to look at phaneuf as a dump, and settle for piss poor value.. But he kills me.

Actually, scratch that. Trade Phaneuf, it'll probably make the team better.
- Viktory

IMO phaneuf hasn't been bad this year simplified his game and seems to be more in position this year.

IMO phaneuf hasn't been bad this year simplified his game and seems to be more in position this year.
- Yeti1181

Wish I could find that optimism.

Wish I could find that optimism.
- joel878

I find beer and cocaine help.

IMO phaneuf hasn't been bad this year simplified his game and seems to be more in position this year.
- Yeti1181

Great, more value.

My only real problems with Phaneuf is that he's the Captain, is a 2-3 Dman when at the top of his game, and does as much damage as helps it would seem. Like tonight, he made a few nice defensive breakups in terms of deflecting long passes on a 2-on-1 and stepping into the passing lanes in general. But then like in previous games goes for the one-timer, shoots it wide. or is breaking a teammates arm.

You just can't get all positives out of that one for a long stretch of time as a Captain/#1 Defenseman. He needs a partner suited to his play or to be on a team where he's not "that guy"

Great, more value.

My only real problems with Phaneuf is that he's the Captain, is a 2-3 Dman when at the top of his game, and does as much damage as helps it would seem. Like tonight, he made a few nice defensive breakups in terms of deflecting long passes on a 2-on-1 and stepping into the passing lanes in general. But then like in previous games goes for the one-timer, shoots it wide. or is breaking a teammates arm.

You just can't get all positives out of that one for a long stretch of time as a Captain/#1 Defenseman. He needs a partner suited to his play or to be on a team where he's not "that guy"
- Viktory

Being the captain doesn't necessarily mean he has to be number 1 dmen but if we could pair him with elite shutdown or even a very good shutdown d he could be more effective on offence plus having someone to cover. His mistakes

Leafs win and this thread is still full of stupid.

Leafs win and this thread is still full of stupid.
- burn

Leafs win and this thread is still full of stupid.
- burn

Ya UG'S panties where in a twist after the leafs won

Ya UG'S panties where in a twist after the leafs won
- The_Vark

It's beyond moronic.

Markham arena approved!

Markham arena approved!
- burn

I don't know if I care... Odds are I'll just hate the team like I do the sens and habs

It's beyond moronic.
- burn

I want the team 2 draft in the top 3 so I guess that makes me pro tank... But when I watch the games I'm still cheering for the leafs.... I'm pretty sure UG is cheering for the other team

There is a difference between tanking and just being bad. Sadly that difference is being treated as mythical as Unicorns around here.

Chicago and Pittsburgh never tanked. They were just awful, and didnt have the fan support and financial means to compete with Tor, Det, NYR, Philly etc.

Even Edmonton never planned on tanking, it just happened. See the offer sheets to Vanek and Penner.
- systemtool

Proof that offer sheets can be a very bad idea. I heard people saying the Leafs should be offer sheeting Subban. Will be a great player but clearly the Leafs need their first round picks.

Markham arena approved!
- burn

Wow! Glad I'm not a Markham taxpayer.

Do we know if the province is kicking in??

I don't know if I care... Odds are I'll just hate the team like I do the sens and habs
- The_Vark

Absolutely. It's such a ridiculous notion to even suggest "should they get another team will you change teams"........ not a (frank)ing chance. Totally idiotic. If you have to ask, or think about it then leave.

I want the team 2 draft in the top 3 so I guess that makes me pro tank... But when I watch the games I'm still cheering for the leafs.... I'm pretty sure UG is cheering for the other team
- The_Vark

I would love for them to draft top 3 or so, but I want them to win. I want to see the playoffs again. The notion of tanking is stupid, and and questioning the coaching in a win when every move he made worked perfectly is insanity.

Absolutely. It's such a ridiculous notion to even suggest "should they get another team will you change teams"........ not a (frank)ing chance. Totally idiotic. If you have to ask, or think about it then leave.
- burn

If they get a new team and anyone I know jumps ship from being a leafs fan .... Friendship over and respect lost