TOP 5 PICK!!!

[maplesyrup]

7th most goals in the NHL since the lockout.

... and not at all a one-way player to boot.

 

[Bender]

I don't mean to derail the thread too much, but I really can't see how consecutive seasons of 17, 41, 31, 27, 38, 40, 33, 32, and 30 goals can lead anyone to consider use of the word mediocre.

Is he worth a cap hit of $7.8M? No, but he's a star, for sure.

That contract is still an Albatross. At that money he should be potting 90pts a year consistently.

 

[Bates]

Doan will play in Phoenix next year and every year until he retires.  Doan or the Coyotes are going nowhere.

 

[jdh1]

Well,the way I see it then..is we are out of the running for Nash...were not trading Gardiner for him...and trading Kessel for him is a sideways move..what else is there then?...Phanuef gladly..but I doubt that would fly.

If Howson wants a boatload,well goodluck.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

I read this article:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=626016

and the line that stuck out was how Yakupov and Galchenyuk have "sedin-like" vision for one another.  So, how about we "just" trade for the #1 overall, grab Yakupov, and take Galchenyuk at #5.  Sounds good to me! 

I'm betting Burke has already made phone calls in an attempt to figure out how he can get this done.  There's probably a slim chance it happens, but Im almost certain he'll be working on it.  Without the usual bluster, I hope.

Yeah ok, now we're gonna draft #1 and still keep our pick and get Galchenyuk as well?  LOL.  Will we also have flying ponys and visions of stanley cups on draft day?

I never said it would happen.  In fact, I said chances are slim (never say never), but the way Burke is always going on about how we moved heaven and earth to land the Sedin's I'm sure he'll spend at least a little effort to see what his options are.  I'm guessing this is one he'll at least explore.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Yeah ok, now we're gonna draft #1 and still keep our pick and get Galchenyuk as well?  LOL.  Will we also have flying ponys and visions of stanley cups on draft day?

"...visions of stanley cups" dancing in our heads.  Sure beats "sugar plums"! 

 

[Bullfrog]

I don't mean to derail the thread too much, but I really can't see how consecutive seasons of 17, 41, 31, 27, 38, 40, 33, 32, and 30 goals can lead anyone to consider use of the word mediocre.

Is he worth a cap hit of $7.8M? No, but he's a star, for sure.

That contract is still an Albatross. At that money he should be potting 90pts a year consistently.

Perhaps, but I'm responding to your assertion that he's a mediocre player.

 

[KW Sluggo]

Because hopefully he wants to come to TO and is got only about 3 teams that he will go to.

Just because he might want to play in Toronto doesn't mean the Leafs should sacrifice the type of assets it would require to get Columbus to make that deal.

I have to agree. We really need a centre first with other top two line forward positions second.

The numbers Nash has put up are not that great. I don't follow Columbus closely enough to know whether that is a function of poor line mates, a scarcity of other quality forwards that allows opponents to key only on Nash (you know, like Kessel) or whether it is Nash's play alone that is responsible.

I also think that there is some merit in keeping our pick and then drafting the best player available even if it is a defenceman. At some point we have to recognize that our blue line does not measure up as it presently stands. We will have to trade one or more of them -- and I am not talking about Komisarik(although I wish...), I mean someone that will bring value in return.

We may have to trade for a centre if only because Burke needs a centre who is ready to play next season and it is unlikely anyone from this draft will be able to do so.

We also need a veteram goalie.

Again, this will likely mean the trade of a roster player (including possibly a player like Kadri who is a some time Leaf). I am not saying we should trade Kadri or that we must, merely that other teams will not be willing to give us what we need in exchange for any or all of our collection of third and fourth liners or Mike Komisarik.

Burke is entering lame duck territory and he needs a superior performance on the ice next October, not two years from now.

 

[hockeyfan1]

This isn't the first time the Leafs have a top five pick...

As for the Maple Leafs, they have picked in the top five six times since 1973 when they chose right winger Lanny McDonald fourth overall. They picked defenceman Gary Nylund third in 1982; defenceman Al Iafrate fourth in 1984; centre Scott Thornton third in 1989 and Luke Schenn fifth in 2008.

....there's hope...

Source:  Sportsnet

 

[Corn Flake]

Another notch on the card of Alex Galchenyuk to the Leafs is that his father isn't Russian (as it had been reported in a number of places), he's from Belarus.  Draft this kid and plunk him beside Grabovski to teach him how to be a pro...... and the rest will probably take care of itself.

 

[Erndog]

Another notch on the card of Alex Galchenyuk to the Leafs is that his father isn't Russian (as it had been reported in a number of places), he's from Belarus.  Draft this kid and plunk him beside Grabovski to teach him how to be a pro...... and the rest will probably take care of itself.

I've got my fingers crossed it's Galchenyuk or, failing that, Forsberg.  Either or and I will be okay.  Unless of course a Grigorenko falls to us then I'll be smiling from ear to ear.  I wouldn't be too pleased with Murray simply because I have my sights set on a forward but I wouldn't crucify Burke or anything.

Honestly, if we go "off the board" and don't grab one of the big 3 forwards likely avail to us (Gal, Grigs or Fors)  I'll admit I'll be pretty upset. 

 

[Peter D.]

We constantly talk about Burke trying to move up to obtain the 1st overall and draft Yakupov.  But failing that, it'll be curious to know/find out if the Leafs feel and have their sights set on a clear #2 (ie. Grigorenko), or feel that there is a clear top 3 that they don't want to be scooped on any of them, that they try and move up to one of those picks.   

Then again, if the grandiose plan is to get Yakupov (all for speculative purposes), I also wonder if Burke is formulating a two-step process where they somehow get Columbus to move the 2nd pick in a deal for the 5th ++, then call up Edmonton and say, "We want Yakupov, Murray might be better suited for you...what can we give up to make us both happy?"

So many possibilities. 

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

We constantly talk about Burke trying to move up to obtain the 1st overall and draft Yakupov.  But failing that, it'll be curious to know/find out if the Leafs feel and have their sights set on a clear #2 (ie. Grigorenko), or feel that there is a clear top 3 that they don't want to be scooped on any of them, that they try and move up to one of those picks.   

Then again, if the grandiose plan is to get Yakupov (all for speculative purposes), I also wonder if Burke is formulating a two-step process where they somehow get Columbus to move the 2nd pick in a deal for the 5th ++, then call up Edmonton and say, "We want Yakupov, Murray might be better suited for you...what can we give up to make us both happy?"

So many possibilities. 

If he moves up to the number 1, I think that is how he'll have to do, in two moves....

 

[Corn Flake]

We constantly talk about Burke trying to move up to obtain the 1st overall and draft Yakupov.  But failing that, it'll be curious to know/find out if the Leafs feel and have their sights set on a clear #2 (ie. Grigorenko), or feel that there is a clear top 3 that they don't want to be scooped on any of them, that they try and move up to one of those picks.   

Then again, if the grandiose plan is to get Yakupov (all for speculative purposes), I also wonder if Burke is formulating a two-step process where they somehow get Columbus to move the 2nd pick in a deal for the 5th ++, then call up Edmonton and say, "We want Yakupov, Murray might be better suited for you...what can we give up to make us both happy?"

So many possibilities. 

If he moves up to the number 1, I think that is how he'll have to do, in two moves....

Really?  Edmonton seems the most interested in moving down of all 4 teams ahead of Toronto.  The others I don't really see willing to move down at all, and one would have to for it to be a two-step thing. 

I mean, maybe NYI moves down 1 spot but that isn't really a gain.  MTL I can't see moving down and CBJ simply HAS to walk away from this draft with a top flight pick.. has to be top 3 for sure.

If any of the 4 teams ahead is willing to drop, it's Edmonton for sure.

 

[lamajama]

Schenn + #5 for #1  8)

HAHA, that's immediately where my mind went.  I think the Leafs have a better chance of acquiring the #1 with the Oilers holding it as opposed to the BJs.

Absolutely.  This is probably the 2nd best scenario for Toronto to move up, other than winning the lottery. 

I think a Schenn + 5th for 1st makes a ton of sense for both teams. The Leafs finally get their young star in the making and the Oilers get a d-man who steps in and helps now, under long-term deal so he can't escape for at least 4 years, draft another young d-man and be able to be a bit more patient with him.

Will obviously come down to what Edm thinks of Schenn.  They will no doubt push for Gardiner but that's not happening and shouldn't need to.

The only trouble I have with this while it makes sense for both teams, there's a decent chance Edmonton gets a better offer. I mean, what if Bufallo offered their pick + Myers or something.  :-\

Buffalo is not offering Myers for that pick.

Who knows though, right? I mean the point is Edmonton might be able to do better than Schenn + #5.  :-\

As long as Burke doesn't go into the press talking about previous drafts and how he's been able to deal and get the player he wants (see Tavares draft) and then ends up doing nothing and looking all sour-pussed on tv.  Just shut up and draft.

x1000. It's time for Burke to shut up and do his job. He looks like an idiot with these "non-expectations" that 99% of fans perceive to be actual expectations. He just sets himself and the organization up to be laughed at and made fun of. And we certainly don't need any more help there.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Really?  Edmonton seems the most interested in moving down of all 4 teams ahead of Toronto.  The others I don't really see willing to move down at all, and one would have to for it to be a two-step thing. 

I mean, maybe NYI moves down 1 spot but that isn't really a gain.  MTL I can't see moving down and CBJ simply HAS to walk away from this draft with a top flight pick.. has to be top 3 for sure.

If any of the 4 teams ahead is willing to drop, it's Edmonton for sure.

No, they will have to jump Montreal for sure, but I think it will all depend on who everybody is targeting. Burke has said that before, that teams in the top 5 may not necessarily have the same player on the top of their list and it could work out for everybody.

Does it go down like that? Probably not, that is why I think it may take a few different moves. You may be right and Edmonton may be willing to move, but maybe they don't want to move all the way down to 5th and may need some persuasion or the Leafs need a second move to get up to the number 1 pick.

Maybe the Leafs don't want Nail Yakapov, so this could all be moot.

 

[Kaberle15]

This isn't the first time the Leafs have a top five pick...

As for the Maple Leafs, they have picked in the top five six times since 1973 when they chose right winger Lanny McDonald fourth overall. They picked defenceman Gary Nylund third in 1982; defenceman Al Iafrate fourth in 1984; centre Scott Thornton third in 1989 and Luke Schenn fifth in 2008.

....there's hope...

Source:  Sportsnet

Wasn't Wendel Clark selected 1st overall in 85 ?

 

[Optimus Reimer]

This isn't the first time the Leafs have a top five pick...

As for the Maple Leafs, they have picked in the top five six times since 1973 when they chose right winger Lanny McDonald fourth overall. They picked defenceman Gary Nylund third in 1982; defenceman Al Iafrate fourth in 1984; centre Scott Thornton third in 1989 and Luke Schenn fifth in 2008.

....there's hope...

Source:  Sportsnet

Leafs have wasted or ruined more 1st rounders than have drafted 1st rounders that made decent contributions to the team.  Kadri appears to be the latest one, and there are rumours Schenn could be moved in the off season so I don't expect much with this 1st rounder either.

 

[Bullfrog]

Another notch on the card of Alex Galchenyuk to the Leafs is that his father isn't Russian (as it had been reported in a number of places), he's from Belarus.  Draft this kid and plunk him beside Grabovski to teach him how to be a pro...... and the rest will probably take care of itself.

I doubt this fact bears any weight at all in the decision-making process. He also speaks Italian and English.

 

[groundskeeper willie]

Another notch on the card of Alex Galchenyuk to the Leafs is that his father isn't Russian (as it had been reported in a number of places), he's from Belarus.  Draft this kid and plunk him beside Grabovski to teach him how to be a pro...... and the rest will probably take care of itself.

I doubt this fact bears any weight at all in the decision-making process. He also speaks Italian and English.

I think it is far more important that Galchenyuk was born on the same day as me (different year of course). Only one day before a Mr. Mats Sundin as well.

Draft him.