HAAAAA, that "literally" made me LOL
- Cochise

Fact

i'd take hannifin over marner in a heart beat (if strome isn't available, then obviously hannifin is).

marner has talent, but i can't see him ever being a big time #1 center.....he's too friggin small.

hell, i think turris is small for a #1 center, and he's got 3 inches and 40lbs on marner. the kid will no doubt grow, but he's not gonna grow that much. i just can't see him ever matching up against top D pairs or top lines.

everything i've read about hanninfin has him being a legit #1 Dman......the most common comparison i've seen is Suter....and most reports i've read have him as being better than ekblad, who's already a stud.

if given a choice between the undersized center, or the well rounded "potential" #1 dman.....take the dman every time.
- sensarmy_11

I've asked this before, if Marner maxes out at 5'11"/6' and 180-185 lbs, would that change your view of him? That's roughly Giroux size.

Nothing and stay where they are as they will get a most excellent player with that pick.

Ok, say for argument's sake I'm in charge of the Blue Leaves, or any of you are for that matter.

You look at your team this past season. It looks like you have one defenceman in Rielly, one winger in JvR (who may be 30+ by the time this team is ready to compete), and that's about it for young, elite tier players.

You look at your system. You have one centre/wing, probably an NHL right winger, in Nylander, who looks like he may be an elite tier player. The rest of the system consists of players who may be 3-6 defencemen, and 2nd-4th line forwards. Goaltenders are too hard to project.

There's nothing wrong with filling the cupboards with depth prospects, and they have been, but we're talking about the 4th over all pick in the most talented draft in over a decade according to most scouts. The Leafs need talent, regardless of position. They need at least one more elite level defenceman. Just as much as they need a centre. Just as much as they need more talent on the wings. I can't imagine trading a competitor anything of value to get a player at 3 who may not be better than the player who's available at 4.

Foresight is important, and the Leafs probably have more knowledge on the 2016 and 2017 prospects than anyone here. Years they will probably be picking in the top 10, maybe top 5. There will another opportunity to grab a centre if Arizona takes Strome this year. Fans and media members just get hung up on what's right in front of them.

Sorry for the long post.
- BetterCallSaul

Agree 100%. Sorry but the Connor browns and Leivos aren't going to save us. How many depth prospects have ever had an impact with us? I can't think of many at all in my life and I'm 34 years old. I see Rielly and nylander as the only tangible pieces going forward we should be banking on. Draft the best player available since we need help everywhere. To say we have lots of D prospects so we shouldn't take hanafin is laughable. Strome, marner or hanafin are all great prospects and we should be thrilled with any of the 3

I've asked this before, if Marner maxes out at 5'11"/6' and 180-185 lbs, would that change your view of him? That's roughly Giroux size.
- BetterCallSaul

Marner reminds me allot of giroux when I've seen him play. DOzzer loves marner too

Its a complete poker face game for Yotes and Leafs. Neither is going to let on who they are going to pick. If Yotes find out Leafs badly want Strome, well guess who they are going to say they are going to take, even if they have no intentions on selecting him and going for Hanifin.

Or, Yotes could just be spiteful and take whatever Leafs want just to be a jackass, ala Brian Burke/Brian Murray and Kadri. Gotta admit, that youtube clip still makes me chuckle though!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzgalcl3tD8

Either way, not sure its worth the Leafs trying to make an offer for thrid overall, could end up being too much and in the end a complete bluff by Yotes and Strome being available anyways.
- Cochise

Why would you say Burke was being a jackass taking Kadri? We certainly didn't do that just because Ottawa wanted him, that was the plan all along.

Why would you say Burke was being a jackass taking Kadri? We certainly didn't do that just because Ottawa wanted him, that was the plan all along.
- justmike

Burke was pissy because he wanted to trade up and it didn't work out. So he spitefully took it out on Murray. I think he wanted Kadri anyways and was just wanting to trade down and gain and extra asset as well. Was that ever confirmed?

Agree 100%. Sorry but the Connor browns and Leivos aren't going to save us. How many depth prospects have ever had an impact with us? I can't think of many at all in my life and I'm 34 years old. I see Rielly and nylander as the only tangible pieces going forward we should be banking on. Draft the best player available since we need help everywhere. To say we have lots of D prospects so we shouldn't take hanafin is laughable. Strome, marner or hanafin are all great prospects and we should be thrilled with any of the 3
- clark_griswold

I know you, myself, and a few others share this view. Others are entitled to their opinion, but I think most are looking passed the big picture.

I've seen no indication the Leafs brass (they have no GM!) are interested in picking Dylan Strome... I only assume it because they've been looking for a number 1 center for years and this might finally be their guy.
- archromat

If the leafs have their heart set on a center and Strome is gone I would happily take Marner. I really hope they don't start making trades to move up unless it's for one of the top two (which of course won't happen)

I know you, myself, and a few others share this view. Others are entitled to their opinion, but I think most are looking passed the big picture.
- BetterCallSaul

No opinion is wrong...i just have learned over the years that all these prospects have never panned out. The list is way too long to write. Some fans have practically the whole Marlies team as sure bets to be future leafs

Yeah, I wouldn't hope for the Leafs to make any moves with that 4th overall pick other than selecting a player. I'm sure they may have their preferences, but the team needs everything and the guys that will be there are going to be hugely valuable.

No matter what 2 of Marner/Strome/Hanifin, are going to be there. Any of those will be huge pieces, no need to make trades up or down.

I am curious if teams like the Flyers might make a move and change up the picture a little, but so long as the Leafs don't move I'm fine with that.

Yeah, I wouldn't hope for the Leafs to make any moves with that 4th overall pick other than selecting a player. I'm sure they may have their preferences, but the team needs everything and the guys that will be there are going to be hugely valuable.

No matter what 2 of Marner/Strome/Hanifin, are going to be there. Any of those will be huge pieces, no need to make trades up or down.

I am curious if teams like the Flyers might make a move and change up the picture a little, but so long as the Leafs don't move I'm fine with that.
- FlareKnight

I can see maybe Columbus as the team that would consider moving their pick. But price would be steep

Why would you say Burke was being a jackass taking Kadri? We certainly didn't do that just because Ottawa wanted him, that was the plan all along.
- justmike

Burke may have wanted Kadri, but it was definitely a little "jack assey" the way he went about it with Murray. "So, Kadri is the guy you want? Well, we're gonna take him, so ok?" Funny as hell, but jack assey.

I am still not convinced though that Kadri was who Burke wanted. He didn't get the trade he wanted (flip to the 5th to pick Schenn) and was in a pissey mood. Even the panel was a little surprised that Kadri was the Leafs pick. He wasn't even projected to go in the top 10 for the draft.

I can see maybe Columbus as the team that would consider moving their pick. But price would be steep
- clark_griswold

If they have a junk contract (besides Clarkson) that they want to get rid of I would swap Kessel for that pick and the contract.

We don't want Kessel

- Arizona Coyotes
- Jacksover9s

You'll take him and like him
- Toronto Maple Leafs

leafs should draft Hanifin and flip him to Philly for Couterier, B.Schenn and Simmonds

i've seen crouse play live twice. Couldn't notice him and i was looking for him too. while 2 games isn't enough of a sample size, he was literally invisible
- clark_griswold

That's a really neat trick!

Every year there is the ramp up to the draft, all kinds of trade speculation..............and every year, nothing happens! Nothing. The draft essentially gives a team some level of talent at a very cost effective price, for a number of years. In these days of the cap, nobody ever turns their nose up at that. I hope this year is different but can't see it.
- Bullot

You can't see how one of the deepest drafts in years, with a salary cap freeze and tons of teams being cash strapped would mean that there will a lot of action this summer?

ok

Just take the best player at #4 toronto. You'll have to give up so much just to move up one spot when the difference between them is not enough to cover the gap you just created. Dont get your #1C? Well get a #1 D or a #2W. Those things are important too.

Just take the best player at #4 toronto. You'll have to give up so much just to move up one spot when the difference between them is not enough to cover the gap you just created. Dont get your #1C? Well get a #1 D or a #2W. Those things are important too.
- gravis1982

exactly. the leafs have more holes to fill than a las vegas brothel on super bowl weekend

cost the leafs a 2nd and 3rd to move up from 7 to 5 in 2008. plenty of talent or 4, would be a waste of assets to move up.

i'd be more interest in moving down to 6-9 if someone paid a hefty premium.

If I'm the Leafs I wouldn't waste the assets to move up one but I would move down one if Carolina was willing to give back their 5th overall along with their 35th overall pick.

If I'm the Leafs I wouldn't waste the assets to move up one but I would move down one if Carolina was willing to give back their 5th overall along with their 35th overall pick.
- dwoo33

I wonder if Carolina really wants someone and trades up with Arizona to leapfrog the Leafs. They might really want Strome or Hanifin, too.

I wonder if Carolina really wants someone and trades up with Arizona to leapfrog the Leafs. They might really want Strome or Hanifin, too.
- BetterCallSaul

I'm thinking if Arizona takes Strome and Carolina wants Hanifin bad enough we could turn it into Marner plus a defensemen like Meloche/Pilon/Carlo... Who ever is still around at 35

I'm thinking if Arizona takes Strome and Carolina wants Hanifin bad enough we could turn it into Marner plus a defensemen like Meloche/Pilon/Carlo... Who ever is still around at 35
- dwoo33

Again I'm happy with all 3 and wouldn't trade up but don't think id trade down either.


I've flip flopped a bunch of times but think the final order should be:

Strome
Hanafin
Marner

I'm simply basing this on their positions to be honest. We need help at all positions but to me wingers are least important position when building

FIRST!!!













any habs rumours?!?











nuff said