Not entirely true.

The 2014 draft was known as a shallow draft with van underwhelming first round past 10.

The 2015 draft was viewed as a very deep first two rounds and that’s been absolutely true

No one of substance thought A.Nylander would be for sure better than William.

It’s been that our GM’s are awful and either trade picks or pick the wrong guys.

This team, to this day, would be 2x as good if they kept their 2015 first rounders and got guys like Konecny, Boeser etc. and maybe someone like Aho, Dermott, Carlo, Cernak
- sbroads24

Those are big IFs. I hate when people hindsight draft. If we kept the picks, odds are we wouldnt have taken those players.

Those are big IFs. I hate when people hindsight draft. If we kept the picks, odds are we wouldnt have taken those players.
- Mentalorgasm5

Sure, but the actual reality is we don’t have Lehner, Kane, or ROR.

And two of those moves were moronic to begin with.

It’s not illogical to think we don’t have 1 of those guys with the 4 picks we traded in that range

Sure, but the actual reality is we don’t have Lehner, Kane, or ROR.

And two of those moves were moronic to begin with.

It’s not illogical to think we don’t have 1 of those guys with the 4 picks we traded in that range
- sbroads24

They would have taken Samsonov at 21 and he looks like a #1 in Washington right now making Holtby expendable

Sure, but the actual reality is we don’t have Lehner, Kane, or ROR.

And two of those moves were moronic to begin with.

It’s not illogical to think we don’t have 1 of those guys with the 4 picks we traded in that range
- sbroads24

That's what I have been saying for awhile know, we weren't ready for those trades yet. It killed are depth and prospect pool all in one.

They would have taken Samsonov at 21 and he looks like a #1 in Washington right now making Holtby expendable
- Pegullaville

Add Samsonov and Sebastian Aho in the second round and this team is almost ready to contend.

This is how teams become great. Hitting on picks. Not throwing them away for three years of Evander Kane who was never going to be here long term

And I know we agree on this

Can't believe Mogilny didn't get in the HOF.

Straight from Eklund, so you gotta know it's true:

The rumoured deal would send Sabres RD Rasmus Ristolainen to Toronto, along with a couple mid-round picks for Andreas Johnsson and Alex Kerfoot and a 2020 pick.

This deal helps both teams in alot of ways. The Leafs are not likely to bring back Tyson Barrie and frankly Rasmus Ristolainen is a better all-around player who fits more into the way the Leafs want to play. Kerfoot brings an element that Krueger has been asking for when it comes top attitude and Andres Johnsson adds a second/third line player who is capable of putting up 20 goals and is signed to a reasonable contract for the next three years...

That's what I have been saying for awhile know, we weren't ready for those trades yet. It killed are depth and prospect pool all in one.
- Buff36

In general, I agree.
What holds me back is ROR. GMTM was on record as saying he needed a 1C for a couple years to shield Eichel. ROR did that well.
Sabres gave up a fair amount for ROR, but I do think it was a smart move at the time.
In the past few days, Mike Harrington is on record as saying the ROR never wanted to be traded. I thought it was a ploy by him to orchestrate a trade out, which it did, but maybe not intentionally.
Team would have been miles ahead with ROR still here rather than the absolute unmitigated crap they got back.

Can't believe Mogilny didn't get in the HOF.
- jochfr

If you compare his resume to that of Kevin Lowe, it's pretty apparent that Mogilny hasn't gone to enough summer golf tournaments with HHOF selectors.

Straight from Eklund, so you gotta know it's true:

The rumoured deal would send Sabres RD Rasmus Ristolainen to Toronto, along with a couple mid-round picks for Andreas Johnsson and Alex Kerfoot and a 2020 pick.

This deal helps both teams in alot of ways. The Leafs are not likely to bring back Tyson Barrie and frankly Rasmus Ristolainen is a better all-around player who fits more into the way the Leafs want to play. Kerfoot brings an element that Krueger has been asking for when it comes top attitude and Andres Johnsson adds a second/third line player who is capable of putting up 20 goals and is signed to a reasonable contract for the next three years...
- Atomic Wedgie

Hey, that's great. Let's revisit in November when the two teams are allowed to trade with one another.

Add Samsonov and Sebastian Aho in the second round and this team is almost ready to contend.

This is how teams become great. Hitting on picks. Not throwing them away for three years of Evander Kane who was never going to be here long term

And I know we agree on this
- sbroads24

Yes sir

Hey, that's great. Let's revisit in November when the two teams are allowed to trade with one another.
- buffalofan19

We'd prefer to complete this deal earlier, as Johnsson is still rehabbing from knee surgery.

Straight from Eklund, so you gotta know it's true:

The rumoured deal would send Sabres RD Rasmus Ristolainen to Toronto, along with a couple mid-round picks for Andreas Johnsson and Alex Kerfoot and a 2020 pick.

This deal helps both teams in alot of ways. The Leafs are not likely to bring back Tyson Barrie and frankly Rasmus Ristolainen is a better all-around player who fits more into the way the Leafs want to play. Kerfoot brings an element that Krueger has been asking for when it comes top attitude and Andres Johnsson adds a second/third line player who is capable of putting up 20 goals and is signed to a reasonable contract for the next three years...
- Atomic Wedgie

Depending on picks exchanged, I'd consider it. But can't happen until October I guess...unless trades can be executed once a team is eliminated...not sure on that myself.

Edit: keep Johnsson and insert Kappy...done deal.

We'd prefer to complete this deal earlier, as Johnsson is still rehabbing from knee surgery.
- Atomic Wedgie

I don't think the Sabres can trade with the Leafs right now is the point. They're still alive. Even if they could, Ristolainen wouldn't be eligible to play this summer.

Hey, that's great. Let's revisit in November when the two teams are allowed to trade with one another.
- buffalofan19

We have enough left handed shots who can play in the middle 6.

Kapanen and Kerfoot for Risto and Asplund.

We have enough left handed shots who can play in the middle 6.

Kapanen and Kerfoot for Risto and Asplund.
- Pegullaville

We have enough left handed shots who can play in the middle 6.

Kapanen and Kerfoot for Risto and Asplund.
- Pegullaville

My comment was more in reference to the timing of the trade rather than the trade itself.

I don't think the Sabres can trade with the Leafs right now is the point. They're still alive. Even if they could, Ristolainen wouldn't be eligible to play this summer.
- buffalofan19

So here's the funny thing:

I confess I haven't really watched Sabres games for a few years (or anything really, other than the Leafs), so I don't really have an opinion on Risto.

But going strictly off stats, he logged the most TOI/G for your defence, and was second in points.

Johnnson is a classic 2nd/3rd liner forward, with a reasonable contract, coming off of knee surgery.

Kerfoot might be useful to you as a 2nd line winger, provided he had good players to play with.

Yet everyone in Ek's thread is saying there is no way the Leafs would do this deal.

Am I missing something? What's wrong with Ristolainen?

We don't have the 3rd round picks to trade

Can't believe Mogilny didn't get in the HOF.
- jochfr

Wonder if the defection, is holding him back?

I thought it showed bravery and should be viewed as a positive

Straight from Eklund, so you gotta know it's true:

The rumoured deal would send Sabres RD Rasmus Ristolainen to Toronto, along with a couple mid-round picks for Andreas Johnsson and Alex Kerfoot and a 2020 pick.

This deal helps both teams in alot of ways. The Leafs are not likely to bring back Tyson Barrie and frankly Rasmus Ristolainen is a better all-around player who fits more into the way the Leafs want to play. Kerfoot brings an element that Krueger has been asking for when it comes top attitude and Andres Johnsson adds a second/third line player who is capable of putting up 20 goals and is signed to a reasonable contract for the next three years...
- Atomic Wedgie

Cap detail:

Ristolainen would be $5.4M off the Sabres cap and on the Leafs cap for 2 more seasons, while Kerfoot and Johnsson would be $6.9 off the Leafs cap and on the Sabres cap for 3 more seasons.

Leafs would be plus $1.5M for the next 2 seasons and then plus $6.9M after if they don't extend Ristolainen.

Sabres would be minus $1.4M the next 2 seasons and minus $6.9M the 3rd season.

So here's the funny thing:

I confess I haven't really watched Sabres games for a few years (or anything really, other than the Leafs), so I don't really have an opinion on Risto.

But going strictly off stats, he logged the most TOI/G for your defence, and was second in points.

Johnnson is a classic 2nd/3rd liner forward, with a reasonable contract, coming off of knee surgery.

Kerfoot might be useful to you as a 2nd line winger, provided he had good players to play with.

Yet everyone in Ek's thread is saying there is no way the Leafs would do this deal.

Am I missing something? What's wrong with Ristolainen?
- Atomic Wedgie

CapFriendly says Kerfoot was your 3rd line Center this year.

Is that not true? Is he not a Center?

The Sabres need Centers badly.

Wonder if the defection, is holding him back?

I thought it showed bravery and should be viewed as a positive
- Boss34

I couldn't possibly imagine that would hold him back.

Wonder if the defection, is holding him back?

I thought it showed bravery and should be viewed as a positive
- Boss34

Russian hatred.
Trumps fault.

CapFriendly says Kerfoot was your 3rd line Center this year.

Is that not true? Is he not a Center?

The Sabres need Centers badly.
- kingcong39

EXCELLENT QUESTION!!!

There is great debate as to whether he is better suited on the wing or centre.

He moved around on the Leafs last year, and apparently also spent a lot of time on the wing in Colorado, where (I'm told - I didn't watch him) he scored the majority of his points.

tl/dr: many Leaf fans, and maybe coaching staff, feel he is a better fit on wing, but yes, he's "officially" a centre.