At the time of the 2008 draft, many criticized the Maple Leafs for making the "safe" pick of Luke Schenn, over the highly touted Russian, Nikita Filatov(Stan Chistov 2.0), even those in Leaf nation were upset.

But now, in 2011, Schenn is a top 4 defensemen, while Filatov was once again sent to the minors, it won't be long before he goes back to Russia while Schenn prospers.

Ottawa will be the worst team in the east, while the Leafs will be competitive, credit is due

At the time of the 2008 draft, many criticized the Maple Leafs for making the "safe" pick of Luke Schenn, over the highly touted Russian, Nikita Filatov(Stan Chistov 2.0), even those in Leaf nation were upset.

But now, in 2011, Schenn is a top 4 defensemen, while Filatov was once again sent to the minors, it won't be long before he goes back to Russia while Schenn prospers.

Ottawa will be the worst team in the east, while the Leafs will be competitive, credit is due
- FirstClass

No.

Some were upset. Filatov had that raw talent that will excite more people than Schenn's style of play.

Some of Fletcher's moves are looking better, like the Schenn draft and the Grabovski trade.

Some were upset. Filatov had that raw talent that will excite more people than Schenn's style of play.

Some of Fletcher's moves are looking better, like the Schenn draft and the Grabovski trade.
- RogerRoeper

And the Finger signing.... at least it doesnt count against the cap. That lucky bum. $3.5 Mil to play in the minors as the 6th defenceman

They selected Schenn, but could have taken Myers............(see other thread)

BTW You need an avatar.............here's one

They selected Schenn, but could have taken Myers............(see other thread)
- Doppleganger

Yeah, same with many other teams. Myers went 12th.

They selected Schenn, but could have taken Myers............(see other thread)
- Doppleganger

zetterberg went in what the 7th round... you cant completely write off a draft just because someone later is better

leafs were in filatovs range, went and grabbed schen instead... smart move

scouting has improved but is still far from a science

zetterberg went in what the 7th round... you cant completely write off a draft just because someone later is better

leafs were in filatovs range, went and grabbed schen instead... smart move

scouting has improved but is still far from a science
- nightmare3020

And there were some scouts who had Filatov ahead of Schenn.

At the time of the 2008 draft, many criticized the Maple Leafs for making the "safe" pick of Luke Schenn, over the highly touted Russian, Nikita Filatov(Stan Chistov 2.0), even those in Leaf nation were upset.

But now, in 2011, Schenn is a top 4 defensemen, while Filatov was once again sent to the minors, it won't be long before he goes back to Russia while Schenn prospers.

Ottawa will be the worst team in the east, while the Leafs will be competitive, credit is due
- FirstClass

I hope so, we could really use Nail Yakupov or a top 5 pick.

Ottawa did not pick Filatov, Columbus did. Whatever if the guy is a bust we only gave a 3rd pick for him. Filatov is pretty much irrelevant for us as he isnt part of our long term plan he was just a cheap pickup to give a chance to become the player he could be.

They selected Schenn, but could have taken Myers............(see other thread)
- Doppleganger

Myers wasn't projected to go that high, seen as a raw project, now i liked him and was not happy the ducks traded down early in the draft, when they could have had him at 12

Myers wasn't projected to go that high, seen as a raw project, now i liked him and was not happy the ducks traded down early in the draft, when they could have had him at 12
- FirstClass

if i remember correctly Myers was highly touted going into the draft year but an injury set back his draft status, i could be wrong

Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf are vindicating he Leafs even more right now

if i remember correctly Myers was highly touted going into the draft year but an injury set back his draft status, i could be wrong
- sniper12

that was cowen

Honestly, filatov was a good gamble. Basicallyan they hoped they could get a deal like the leafs got Grabovski.

It looks like they failed.

Good effort though.

It's too early to say Filatov is done. If he bolts to Russia yeah, but right now he's still way too young to write off.

He had two goals and an assist in his first AHL game this year btw.

Myers wasn't projected to go that high, seen as a raw project, now i liked him and was not happy the ducks traded down early in the draft, when they could have had him at 12
- FirstClass

The real "hindsight hurt" there has to be Los Angeles, who opted to trade down from 12th (Myers) and take Teubert at 13th, receiving only a 3rd round pick in the process.

At the time of the 2008 draft, many criticized the Maple Leafs for making the "safe" pick of Luke Schenn, over the highly touted Russian, Nikita Filatov(Stan Chistov 2.0), even those in Leaf nation were upset.

But now, in 2011, Schenn is a top 4 defensemen, while Filatov was once again sent to the minors, it won't be long before he goes back to Russia while Schenn prospers.

Ottawa will be the worst team in the east, while the Leafs will be competitive, credit is due
- FirstClass

This is a really strange interpretation of events. Schenn has had his minutes cut and is playing on the fringe of the top four. There is extensive speculation that his confidence was undone in the fight with Chris Niel. Not sure why you would push a Schenn story when things are going so fragile for him.

On the other hand, the reshaping of Filatov is actually going pretty well. Remember this is a third round pick for the Senators. I think the comments this morning from Travis Yost pretty well reflects the Senators perspective on the matter.

"Filatov's absolutely tearing up Binghamton as expected, and I think the coaching staff will continue using and abusing his two-way contract as needed for now.

By the way, major props to Filatov for heading to the AHL affiliate and busting his ass. He may have had a work ethic problem in the past, but he looks like he's genuinely trying to improve on his game, and that in itself is laudable. Will he ever succeed with consistency at the NHL level? Your guess is as good as mine."

At the time of the 2008 draft, many criticized the Maple Leafs for making the "safe" pick of Luke Schenn, over the highly touted Russian, Nikita Filatov(Stan Chistov 2.0), even those in Leaf nation were upset.

But now, in 2011, Schenn is a top 4 defensemen, while Filatov was once again sent to the minors, it won't be long before he goes back to Russia while Schenn prospers.

Ottawa will be the worst team in the east, while the Leafs will be competitive, credit is due
- FirstClass

This is an incredibly disjointed presentation of issues. Did you really mean to imply that somehow the Senators took Filatov at #6 in the draft? The Senators actually took Karlsson as their first round pick. As of this morning Karlsson leads the Senators in scoring and is second in the league. Not bad for a 20 year old kid.

Not sure why this thread is so irritating. Schenn is a great young Dman, he has signed a new deal and expectations have been raised. But he is still a kid. He also happened to be in a draft that was deeply loaded with talent. But, Schenn plays the kind of game that takes longer to mature and he is still a few years away before the value of his game is fully developed.

Most of the kids who finish their entry level deal get a new level of scrutiny and Schenn is getting some of that now and feling a bit of the pressure. But he is playing the role of a shut down Dman on a team that is playing run and gun hockey. It is a very difficult role to play. I think it is unwise to unreasonably push expectations at this point.

Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf are vindicating he Leafs even more right now
- RogerRoeper

Roger have you know shame? The Leafs have not had as good a start this year as they did last year? Let's not start planning the parade route before we play a single road game.

This is a really strange interpretation of events. Schenn has had his minutes cut and is playing on the fringe of the top four. There is extensive speculation that his confidence was undone in the fight with Chris Niel. Not sure why you would push a Schenn story when things are going so fragile for him.

On the other hand, the reshaping of Filatov is actually going pretty well. Remember this is a third round pick for the Senators. I think the comments this morning from Travis Yost pretty well reflects the Senators perspective on the matter.

"Filatov's absolutely tearing up Binghamton as expected, and I think the coaching staff will continue using and abusing his two-way contract as needed for now.

By the way, major props to Filatov for heading to the AHL affiliate and busting his ass. He may have had a work ethic problem in the past, but he looks like he's genuinely trying to improve on his game, and that in itself is laudable. Will he ever succeed with consistency at the NHL level? Your guess is as good as mine."
- spatso

Your descent into madness is really quite entertaining to watch.

Your descent into madness is really quite entertaining to watch.
- Schenn-Sational!

It is probably true. It just drives me crazy that people do not do the basic research and just say crazy stuff. If anybody had just taken the time to check out Schenn's reduced playing time over the first four games they would have seen something that suggests a very different result than what has been implied on this thread.

Game 1 22:06
Game 2 18:17
Game 3 13:54
Game 4 14:21 (overtime)

Your descent into madness is really quite entertaining to watch.
- Schenn-Sational!

the reshaping of Filatov. LOL. He still can't hack it in the NHL.

the reshaping of Filatov. LOL. He still can't hack it in the NHL.
- prock

Chris Neil has completely destroyed Schenn's confidence!
He jumped him so hard that he caused a drop in game going back to the start of training camp.

the reshaping of Filatov. LOL. He still can't hack it in the NHL.
- prock

Take it up with Yost. Apparantly, the Senators are really pleased with the progress that Filatov is making. I do not know that for myself. I was actually very surprised that they sent him down to the AHL.