no doubt he's good but I mean proven as in #1 goalie, 60+ games, can carry a team, not many softies. Someone like Price or Quick, because if you want 3rd overall in this draft, it'll have to be for someone like that...
- BoTtLePoLiCe

But BERNIER!!!!!

The funniest would be if the Leafs won the lottery and took McDavid, and he totally Daigled it up with a twist of Yashin. That would be a classic episode of Leafs.
- Zezel

I don't know, I just think they are not gonna pass on Hanifin if they draft 3rd-5th.
They have used top 3 picks to get Centers (RNH,Draisaitl) Wingers (Hall and Yak)
in the last 5 years. I think they will pick the guy that can form a 1-2 with Nurse in a few years
- GardinerExpress

Oh, just thought you were in the know after you singled them out and said they wanted him.

Tavares had 2 seasons of exactly 2ppg. Conner is at 2.68 this season.
I think McDavid will be a touch better than Tavares, but a good comparable nonetheless.
- GardinerExpress

But Tavares had two seasons where he was a goal per game average. McDavid is doing that now for the first time in three years.

Yes. Yes it would be amusing. Oilers know the leafs want one of the centre's. There's no guarantee they'll be there at 5 or 6. It's gonna take a hell of a lot more than Bernier to jump up to the top 3. Bernier is mediocre at best on a bad leafs team. What makes u think he's gonna be any better on a worse than the leafs oilers squad?
- 1993_Cup_Champs

Alright I gave you the benefit of the doubt of not being a habs troll, I was mistaken.

If a .919SV% on leafs teams that have been TERRIBLE is mediocre at best, I really don't know what mediocre.

But Tavares had two seasons where he was a goal per game average. McDavid is doing that now for the first time in three years.
- JohnFergusonJr

Are you doing the Leaf fan thing of de-valuing somebody so when the probable happens and the Leafs don't win the draft it doesn't sting as much?

Eichel is setting draft eligible records that go back to Paul Kariya. I mean come on...overrated? (frank) off.
- AdamFrench

But Kariya had 100 points in 39 games.

- AdamFrench

Zombs? Or you changing your tampon?

But Tavares had two seasons where he was a goal per game average. McDavid is doing that now for the first time in three years.
- JohnFergusonJr

to be fair Tavares got to play 4 junior seasons, Mcdavid will only get 3

who do you draft if strome and marner are still on the board???
- Leafer749

who do you draft if strome and marner are still on the board???
- Leafer749

Buff takes McD, Edmonton takes Eichel, Arizona takes Strome, Carolina takes Marner.
Leaves Hanifin, Zacha, Crouse, Rantanen, Kylington, Werenski and Provorov.
Zacha could be a potential gem with the style of hockey he plays and could be our 1C of the future they say he plays like Keith Primeau and he was a pretty good player.
Hanifin would be the safest bet, a first pairing of Hanifin and Rielly for the next 15 years makes me giddy.
Shanaban saying were gonna suck for another 3 years means we have more then enough time to find our #1C. Gotta figure out the defense though, gotta draft your own in order to implement a system.
With Percy, Finn, Gardiner, Loov, Granberg, Nilsson, Valiev along with whoever else we draft these next couple years we should be able to fill out the 2nd and 3rd pairings.

Kessel traded to Avs for OReilly, Bigras and 2016 1st
Phaneuf traded to Dallas for Hemsky, Oleksiak, Campbell and 2016 + 2017 2nd round picks
Lupul with 1M retained to Canadiens for Scherbak and Allen

The funniest would be if the Leafs won the lottery and took McDavid, and he totally Daigled it up with a twist of Yashin. That would be a classic episode of Leafs.
- Zezel

ah please don't go there as we hope he can have the effect as Wendel did on the Leafs when they draft him 1st overall.

Nobody is going to give up a top 5 pick for Kessel. He may be worth a top 5 but, it is more a problem of scale in relation to cap, age of a team and rebuilding priorities.

Which top 5 drafting team gives up their first round pick for Kessel?

Buffalo,
Edmonton,
Arizona,
Carolina,
....insert name of team that gives up their #1 pick for Kessel
- spatso

I'm thinking the Kessel from Boston deal may be the last time a Top 3 pick is ever traded (not that it was known to be that when it was traded). GMs have seen a generation of players come through a salary cap world and what works and what doesn't. They all see how important building through the draft and those precious ELCs are now.

I don't know, I just think they are not gonna pass on Hanifin if they draft 3rd-5th.
They have used top 3 picks to get Centers (RNH,Draisaitl) Wingers (Hall and Yak)
in the last 5 years. I think they will pick the guy that can form a 1-2 with Nurse in a few years
- GardinerExpress

They should draft the best player available and then use one of their other assets to dangle for a top 4 defenseman.

But Kariya had 100 points in 39 games.
- JohnFergusonJr

Daigle had a 2.58PPG in the Q, on par with Crosby. Different time, different place.

Also Kariya was the bomb in Phantoms yo.

ah please don't go there as we hope he can have the effect as Wendel did on the Leafs when they draft him 1st overall.
- dmnted

Win jack squat?

( )

Jvr - Strome - Kessel

or

Rielly - Hanifin

What one would you pick?

Zombs? Or you changing your tampon?
- weirdoh

I can play

Oh, just thought you were in the know after you singled them out and said they wanted him.
- weirdoh

In the 3rd overall slot, I think they would take Hanfin but who knows maybe they use a 3rd top 3 pick in 5 years on a C.

The Oilers WANT McDavid or Eichel. 3-5 could be a crapshoot. I know leafs fans value Strome because he is a center, but most experts have Hanifin at 3.

- AdamFrench

Was he really a generational talent or just a really good prospect that got hyped to the moon so people would give a poop about the draft? I'm not saying McDavid isn't a great prospect but he's not a generational talent either. He's what the Leafs need but he's not Sidney Crosby or Stamkos or even Tavares.

Also, I was talking about acquiring another top 5 pick so that doesn't automatically mean 1st overall. It could be 3rd or 4th, which is what Kessel should be able to get you in return.
- JohnFergusonJr

You're supposed to save these lines til after the Leafs lose the lottery. You've just shot yourself in the foot if they win.

They should draft the best player available and then use one of their other assets to dangle for a top 4 defenseman.
- 1993_Cup_Champs

why would they trade assets for a top 4 d-man? They are rebuilding. They will trade for picks and prospects.

They will draft Strome,Marner or Hanifin if available. If not probably Crouse.

Would it be that amusing if it was 3rd overall for Bernier and 5th overall?

Leafs grab Strome, Arizona takes Domi's linemate Marner, Oilers grab Hanifin (who they wanted anyways)

I am assuming a Canes/Jackets/any other team not in the top 3 lottery win
- GardinerExpress

I think that is how it probably works out.

But, once the lottery draw is done and we know who will get MCDavid and Eichel, watch for a lot more discussion about possible movement in the drafting schedule. There are good young players all the way through the first two rounds. There will be some big deals as some teams try to shed salary in exchange for picks and/or prospects.

Buff takes McD, Edmonton takes Eichel, Arizona takes Strome, Carolina takes Marner.
Leaves Hanifin, Zacha, Crouse, Rantanen, Kylington, Werenski and Provorov.
Zacha could be a potential gem with the style of hockey he plays and could be our 1C of the future they say he plays like Keith Primeau and he was a pretty good player.
Hanifin would be the safest bet, a first pairing of Hanifin and Rielly for the next 15 years makes me giddy.
Shanaban saying were gonna suck for another 3 years means we have more then enough time to find our #1C. Gotta figure out the defense though, gotta draft your own in order to implement a system.
With Percy, Finn, Gardiner, Loov, Granberg, Nilsson, Valiev along with whoever else we draft these next couple years we should be able to fill out the 2nd and 3rd pairings.

Kessel traded to Avs for OReilly, Bigras and 2016 1st
Phaneuf traded to Dallas for Hemsky, Oleksiak, Campbell and 2016 + 2017 2nd round picks
Lupul with 1M retained to Canadiens for Scherbak and Allen
- Unholy_Forward

I still think the Leafs pick 4th. Where Arizona and Edmonton slot will probably dictate who the Leafs pick. Along with the chance of a lower team winning the lottery.

ah please don't go there as we hope he can have the effect as Wendel did on the Leafs when they draft him 1st overall.
- dmnted

Yeah, choking on a semi-final up 3-2 games with Game 7 at home. Wendel and Sundin both got us two semi-final losses each.

Jvr - Strome - Kessel

or

Rielly - Hanifin

What one would you pick?
- BoTtLePoLiCe

I don't know if Strome is a slam dunk as a 1C, but he will probably be better than any centre we've had since Mats.