What you say makes a lot of sense but why trade away Hanifin to add something which you could have drafted for in the first place... unless of course your getting player + in return like a draft to trade kinda thing.

See I'd agree with best player available but at the end of the day the guy you think might be the best available at the time of your selection may turn into a bust.... I love Marner.. but I worry scouts may pass on him due to size. I hate that I like the small guys they usually have high end skill... just need to put on muscle so they don't get bounced around in the pros!!

Crouse is really good.. keep in mind he's only 17...... I know he's not a Centre which is much more important.. but if you look at a guy like Rick Nash he doesn't need a centre and his board play is outstanding... which is something the Leafs need badly
!!
- thehockeygod

If our picks are around 5 and 26 I'm hoping for Marner and Rasmus Andersson. I'd be happy with that 1st round.

Yup!! Dump some more big contracts to allow them to do those types of salary retention deals... End of season and clear slate.. Make it happen leafs
- Dozzer

I'm okay if they bring in a few roster players in some deals or whatever. Even the dumps to play out the season or even next. I don't want to pull an edmonton and toss the kids into the fire.

Is Strome projected to be a sure #1 Center? Is he the center this team has needed for years lol.. PS- How does he compare to his brother, as good, better?
- sparky

Strome, Dylan

High end talent.... potential to be a true #1.. he is 6'3 great shot, good size and a decent playmaker... plays with McDavid in Eerie. Showed he can continue to score even after McDavid left for the Junior Tourny....

I'd say he could end up being better then his brother but tough to tell! He has a better shot but not as good a playmaker. I hear he also has a real good head on his shoulders.

Would love to see him with Connor Brown in the Marlies!!

He's the guy I think Toronto should target if they don't win McDavid!!

If our picks are around 5 and 26 I'm hoping for Marner* and Rasmus Andersson. I'd be happy with that 1st round.
- BetterCallSaul

*Assuming that Strome is gone (which is likely, but not a foregone conclusion)

Agreed!!! Sell sell sell for prospects and picks!!

Take on expensive expiring contracts if need be (a la jokinen) to get the deals done
- Dozzer

they plan on playing Jokinen Ctr, I hope he doesn't start playing for pride and find himself with Kessel after a few games...both guys need a shot in the arm, last thing we need is a positive surge!!As long as they both get hot but we lose 6-5!!

Kessel to dallas to play wing with seguin...

*Assuming that Strome is gone (which is likely, but not a foregone conclusion)
- lumlums

Yeah, of course. I'm of the opinion Strome goes at 3.

I'm okay if they bring in a few roster players in some deals or whatever. Even the dumps to play out the season or even next. I don't want to pull an edmonton and toss the kids into the fire.
- Aaron_85

Just keep on bringing in cheap vets like santorelli / Raymond etc and keep on dealing them at the deadline...

Leaves room for kids to play while maintaining good strong veteran leadership

Yeah, of course. I'm of the opinion Strome goes at 3.
- BetterCallSaul

Which is where we'll be???

they plan on playing Jokinen Ctr, I hope he doesn't start playing for pride and find himself with Kessel after a few games...both guys need a shot in the arm, last thing we need is a positive surge!!As long as they both get hot but we lose 6-5!!
- bazookajo1

I dont think Kessel will ever fit in the defensive system the leafs are trying to play right now

I just can't agree with you less. Oh well. Enjoy the rest of the season.
- BetterCallSaul

No worries that's why we have this forum for! If you combined the 2 drafts what's your order?

How do you rank Hanifin?

I'm kinda thinking you can get more for Kessel at the deadline.

He's not a building block. He is a guy to push your team over the top.

So I'm thinking that the best deal can be had at the deadline, when some GM gets tempted to go all in - and gets stoopid about it.

And if they trade Kessel, they are burning the boats; it's full-on reconstruction, because no UFA will want to come here. We will be building from within, because it will be our only option.
- Atomic Wedgie

I hope it happens. Our FA track record has been abysmal.

Which is where we'll be???
- lumlums

i assume you could trade up to get to number 3... trying to get 1 or 2 like some here think is possible is a waste of time to talk about.

I think 3 could be attainable.

No worries that's why we have this forum for! If you combined the 2 drafts what's your order?

How do you rank Hanifin?
- thehockeygod

McDavid
Eichel
Strome
Hanifin/Ekblad
Ekblad/Hanifin

Couldn't differentiate between the two yet.

Just keep on bringing in cheap vets like santorelli / Raymond etc and keep on dealing them at the deadline...

Leaves room for kids to play while maintaining good strong veteran leadership
- Dozzer

Bickell. You need Bickell.

*Assuming that Strome is gone (which is likely, but not a foregone conclusion)
- lumlums

Let's say Buffalo gets no. 1 and Edmonton gets no. 2; Buffalo takes McDavid. Do you guys think Edmonton will take Eichel, or trade down a few spaces, add an asset and or extra pick, and select a defenceman? Could be interesting for Toronto in that scenario...

I dont think Kessel will ever fit in the defensive system the leafs are trying to play right now
- Dozzer

Any. Kessel won't fit into any defensive system.

McDavid
Eichel
Strome
Hanifin/Ekblad
Ekblad/Hanifin

Couldn't differentiate between the two yet.
- BetterCallSaul

After what Ekblad has been doing so far this year he'd likely go 3. after the two 'generational talents'

Yeah, of course. I'm of the opinion Strome goes at 3.
- BetterCallSaul

See I think he's should go at 3 also but then again depends on who picks at that spot.. maybe a team like Columbus takes Hanifin because they already have Jenner, Johansen down the middle and they need D help... it really all depends on the team and who they think can either help them out the most or who the best prospect is.....

Always a tough call....

Arsenal are solid enough, though Spurs would be my second favourite.


Harry Kane
- lumlums

We agree on something football related! Who is your NHL "Spurs"??

Fair question... Ekblad is far and away better then Hanifin....

If you combined the 2 drafts I say

McDavid
Ekblad
Eichel

Rielly is a stud top pairing Dman..... I like Hanifin but we need more forward prospects particularly at the C position.... if we can't get 1 of McDavid, Eichel or Strome... my next pick would be for Crouse or Marner..... if we can trade down a spot or 2 and let someone else draft Hanifin and get back another asset while still drafting 1 of the 2 I mentioned then I'm all for it! Don't get me wrong if the Leafs were to draft Hanifin I'd be more then ok with it.. I just feel we need more forward prospects... but in reality... I think the biggest thing is to sit down and interview the players and get an idea of where their heads are at psychologically... maybe that's why Hanifin is ranked so high... great head on his shoulders combined with his overall game!! Makes for 1 hell of a pick!
- thehockeygod

what is your opinion about Matt Spencer?

If our picks are around 5 and 26 I'm hoping for Marner and Rasmus Andersson. I'd be happy with that 1st round.
- BetterCallSaul

If the Leafs were to draft both those guys... I wouldn't complain.... again providing Strome has already been selected..... otherwise Strome and Rasmus or Brendan Carlo... Right handed 6'5 RD..... WoW the potential to have him paired with Rielly!

We agree on something football related! Who is your NHL "Spurs"??
- fifty__missions

That shouldnt exist.

in my opinion if you like 2 teams you might as well like all the teams.

See I think he's should go at 3 also but then again depends on who picks at that spot.. maybe a team like Columbus takes Hanifin because they already have Jenner, Johansen down the middle and they need D help... it really all depends on the team and who they think can either help them out the most or who the best prospect is.....

Always a tough call....
- thehockeygod

Isn't Jenner playing more wing for Columbus?

If our picks are around 5 and 26 I'm hoping for Marner and Rasmus Andersson. I'd be happy with that 1st round.
- BetterCallSaul

I hear great things about Marner and with Hunter on board I am sure he will pump up his kid. But his size is what scares me. We have Nylander who isn't big, the prospect we just obtained from the preds (marchand type they say), the kid from Sweden (can't remember his name now lol), plus brown. Seems like we are lacking size up front to protect these guys from being pushed around. We have a passive team now. Not saying Marner is soft but add in Nylander etc. and I would think we would need some big brother protection from someone.