Success at the draft table is nailing the round 1/2 n mining a gem in later rounds.
That is considered awesome drafting n rarely happens at that.
TO is in stockpiling mode for obvious reasons.

Luca Spisa 3 years at $3.6 mil.
Ryan Miller 3 years at $6 mil.
And Dorsett 4 years at $2.5 mil.

Which of these deals makes sense to you?
- Vanoxy

Absolutely. Im not saying they are great but what choices did he have at the time? Sbisa and Dorsett are the only physical aspects of the Canucks and that really shows you how much work he has ahead of him. You cant think of it as a fix but more of a bandaid to a much larger wound. The way he structured the term on those deals lined up with the expiring contracts of the rest of the 'stale' core everyone refers to ie. Burrows, Sedins, Hamhuis. We are almost free of all that commitment and JB knew there wasn't anything else attractive to worthwhile FA's until some things change. I think once the rest of these contracts expire, things will get better. Still at least 2 years of bandaids but if we can find a way to trade Edler or Hansen in the offseason, then its a new team. Realistically, its gonna be a new look team every year until they get enough draft picks worth watching.

That was an honest Q n no need to be a child.
If your purpose is to troll go fishing elsewhere.
IMO 12 picks r to get 2-3 good hits n package others in trades.
- Nighthawk

it's basically two drafts in one year. 2-3 is what you should be shooting for from 7 picks.

my expectation (weak draft or not - there will still be nhl players to be found) is if the leafs use all their picks, they need to get at least 4-5 nhl players for down the road; otherwise management sucks and should probably be fired.

edit: if they trade, i don't see trading up. maybe offering picks for an nhl player.

All 3 do.

Spisa is younger than most people realize. Has size and plays with grit. Still makes some young mistakes, but overall is growing. Even though he is not great, he still has a higher ceiling that he could hit. 3.6 is still ball park for what he is worth.

Ryan Miller came in because they did not trust any of the previous goalies long term. I loved Lack and would have loved to have him the main guy.. but as a new GM, you need a goalie you trust. Lack wasnt it. They brought it a guy he trusted. Probably wasnt worth that contract, but I understand why he did it and can respect it.

Dorsett is undervalued. Not a huge point guy, but on a team of soft players he has been the one that stands up. He fights higher than his weight class and willing to do anything asked. He is a decent enough penalty killer and solid in the locker room.

None of those can really be considered horrible contracts. Could they be better? Yes, but they are all pretty close to the players value or potential when signed.
- djlarose

None of those 3 contracts hamstring us.
The future is not next year or the following year.
JB will be nudged better after the next draft n how much progress the kids make next year. After that the picture will be clearer.

i know the difference between retooling and rebuilding.

retooling is what the leafs did from 2004-2014.

that's what you guys have to look forward to.
- Tumbleweed

Are you confusing retooling with the abortion you call the Leafs for 10 years? HA! They had zero talent through drafting. Kadri is all they have to show for in those lost years. Reilly looks promising but you have a long way to go. I feel the Leafs just had poor management in those years which turned into the new regime at the helm now. Our management group is unproven but not as bad as the gong show that went on there for so long. Take that garbage talk and go find someone who cares.

it's basically two drafts in one year. 2-3 is what you should be shooting for from 7 picks.

my expectation (weak draft or not - there will still be nhl players to be found) is if the leafs use all their picks, they need to get at least 4-5 nhl players for down the road; otherwise management sucks and should probably be fired.

edit: if they trade, i don't see trading up. maybe offering picks for an nhl player.
- Tumbleweed

2-3 winners is a good draft in any year by any team n i hope it works out for the Leafs with 12. Options will be available n the job is only starting. A goalie n top 4D will be the real chore to get done.

None of those 3 contracts hamstring us.
The future is not next year or the following year.
JB will be nudged better after the next draft n how much progress the kids make next year. After that the picture will be clearer.
- Nighthawk

Again, nailing home my point. The term really was a quick fix at the time and they end at good times. The long term plan isnt affected in any way at all. Sbisa could turn it around next year and become a steal, if not, who cares, he will be gone shortly enough. JB had very little options. He isn't a miracle worker and some keep forgetting the entire dynamic of the team changed and continues to. In a few years, we will be in an even better spot.

Are you confusing retooling with the abortion you call the Leafs for 10 years? HA! They had zero talent through drafting. Kadri is all they have to show for in those lost years. Reilly looks promising but you have a long way to go. I feel the Leafs just had poor management in those years which turned into the new regime at the helm now. Our management group is unproven but not as bad as the gong show that went on there for so long. Take that garbage talk and go find someone who cares.
- WhatTheNuck

meh.

useless free agent signings.

aging players.

poor/no returns on assets through trades.

meddling ownership.

the signs are all there for a western version of that same abortion.

need to take your canuck glasses off.

meh.

useless free agent signings.

aging players.

poor/no returns on assets through trades.

meddling ownership.

the signs are all there for a western version of that same abortion.

need to take your canuck glasses off.
- Tumbleweed

I disagree, you need to take the suck glasses off and stop trying to make yourself feel better. You're team is just starting to get back on track, focus on them and stop playing the butthurt Leaf fan and playing the blame game.

EDIT. I agree with you on the ownership issue only.

Again, nailing home my point. The term really was a quick fix at the time and they end at good times. The long term plan isnt affected in any way at all. Sbisa could turn it around next year and become a steal, if not, who cares, he will be gone shortly enough. JB had very little options. He isn't a miracle worker and some keep forgetting the entire dynamic of the team changed and continues to. In a few years, we will be in an even better spot.
- WhatTheNuck

Sbisa is just fine. JB had many bad contracts n little prospects when he signed on.
So far he has remade our look n stocked up Utica. Lots more to do yet n he busts his ass searching n scouring for pieces to fill the gaps. Next up is drafting n developing as he has done already a solid job of. Its a continuing process n with cap space looking good next year n beyond it only gets better. Too much to do still with D being priority.

2-3 winners is a good draft in any year by any team n i hope it works out for the Leafs with 12. Options will be available n the job is only starting. A goalie n top 4D will be the real chore to get done.
- Nighthawk

well, they will be drafting top 4. so one is a gimme.

they are completely banking on the draft/develop model. if they fail at being at least a little better than average, than the leafs are in for an Edmonton type failure of a rebuild.

which is a fire-able offense.

meh.

useless free agent signings.

aging players.

poor/no returns on assets through trades.

meddling ownership.

the signs are all there for a western version of that same abortion.

need to take your canuck glasses off.
- Tumbleweed

ALL TRUE except thats the Leafs of the past u speak of.
Our history though sad at times is hardly a comparison.
We never tanked in our existence or had a 1st overall.
Eg Wendel Clark or a lotto shot at one.

well, they will be drafting top 4. so one is a gimme.

they are completely banking on the draft/develop model. if they fail at least being a little better than average, than the leafs are in for an Edmonton type failure of a rebuild.

which is a fire-able offense.
- Tumbleweed

The management group in Toronto wont become the Oilers, the Oilers management is probably some of the worst remaining in the league. Dont get me started on those draft pick killers.

The management group in Toronto wont become the Oilers, the Oilers management is probably some of the worst remaining in the league. Dont get me started on those draft pick killers.
- WhatTheNuck

I blame Lowe n his cronies for setting back the Oil for so long.
In TO they r on the right track.
Here we have good vets n its a different boat altogether.

I blame Lowe n his cronies for setting back the Oil for so long.
In TO they r on the right track.
Here we have good vets n its a different boat altogether.
- Nighthawk

It is just that, a completely different scenario. I think Tumbleweed has been listening to a little too much Dangle. Why cant Leaf fans just worry about their own team now that they have something to look forward to?

I disagree, you need to take the suck glasses off and stop trying to make yourself feel better. You're team is just starting to get back on track, focus on them and stop playing the butthurt Leaf fan and playing the blame game.

EDIT. I agree with you on the ownership issue only.
- WhatTheNuck

thing is, ownership is what handcuffed our GM's from 2004-2014 (except nonis, he was just an idiot). the owners were looking for a quick fix solution to the playoffs; and the gm's executed plans based on this strategy. all the stupid moves they made were based on an overall direction set from ownership.

the 70's and 80's were largely a write-off because of harold ballard ... and you guys may have a toned down version of him.

Our big problem is we suck at home.
Thats a priority n WD is on the hot seat for that.
Next year the West is gonna be much better n a huge dogfight.
Good teams won't make the playoffs but overall the competition
will be fierce with the Flames n Oil having to do better n all the
other teams won't be push overs either.
If the cap is stagnant that effects many teams.

ALL TRUE except thats the Leafs of the past u speak of.
Our history though sad at times is hardly a comparison.
We never tanked in our existence or had a 1st overall.
Eg Wendel Clark or a lotto shot at one.
- Nighthawk

Niether team has done much to brag about since 1970:

Leafs Canucks
GP 3549 3551
Wins 1487 1486
Losses 1590 1557
Ties 345 391
OT 127 117

All 3 do.

Spisa is younger than most people realize. Has size and plays with grit. Still makes some young mistakes, but overall is growing. Even though he is not great, he still has a higher ceiling that he could hit. 3.6 is still ball park for what he is worth.

Ryan Miller came in because they did not trust any of the previous goalies long term. I loved Lack and would have loved to have him the main guy.. but as a new GM, you need a goalie you trust. Lack wasnt it. They brought it a guy he trusted. Probably wasnt worth that contract, but I understand why he did it and can respect it.

Dorsett is undervalued. Not a huge point guy, but on a team of soft players he has been the one that stands up. He fights higher than his weight class and willing to do anything asked. He is a decent enough penalty killer and solid in the locker room.

None of those can really be considered horrible contracts. Could they be better? Yes, but they are all pretty close to the players value or potential when signed.
- djlarose

If the Nucks were hard-pressed for cap-space that might change your tune. For example, these would not be good contracts on the Hawks, they can't afford to pay someone like Dorsett or Sbisa that much when they can get a replacement for much cheaper.

But the Nucks aren't in the same position as the Hawks, so it's not that big of a deal. I think the person who brought it up was mostly just using it to show that it's not like Benning has some kind of stellar record for contracts. Imo, I wouldn't refer to it as a strength or weakness of Bennings, just kinda average.

Success at the draft table is nailing the round 1/2 n mining a gem in later rounds.
That is considered awesome drafting n rarely happens at that.
TO is in stockpiling mode for obvious reasons.
- Nighthawk

I like what the leafs management is doing much more than the Canucks ...I don't think I'm alone in this thought process

thing is, ownership is what handcuffed our GM's from 2004-2014 (except nonis, he was just an idiot). the owners were looking for a quick fix solution to the playoffs; and the gm's executed plans based on this strategy. all the stupid moves they made were based on an overall direction from ownership.

the 70's and 80's were largely a write-off because of harold ballard ... and you guys may have a toned down version of him.
- Tumbleweed

Oh I'm well aware of the damage Ballard the moron did.
Our 70-80's were pretty sad sack also lol

I like what the leafs management is doing much more than the Canucks ...I don't think I'm alone in this thought process
- Redmile247

Apples n oranges n only time will tell.
Out west its pretty competitive n not fixed overnight.
Leafs had no option n all is looking rosier.

well, they will be drafting top 4. so one is a gimme.

they are completely banking on the draft/develop model. if they fail at least being a little better than average, than the leafs are in for an Edmonton type failure of a rebuild.

which is a fire-able offense.
- Tumbleweed

At least it will happen a lot faster than Edmonton's so it shouldn't take them 6 years to find out if it is gunna work. I mean the Leafs actually got rid of aging assets for value in order to speed up their rebuild, the Oil didn't have any aging assets of value to begin with.

Our big problem is we suck at home.
Thats a priority n WD is on the hot seat for that.
Next year the West is gonna be much better n a huge dogfight.
Good teams won't make the playoffs but overall the competition
will be fierce with the Flames n Oil having to do better n all the
other teams won't be push overs either.
If the cap is stagnant that effects many teams.
- Nighthawk

Thankfully our division is terrible and we still have a chance to look better than we actually will be next year.

Apples n oranges n only time will tell.
Out west its pretty competitive n not fixed overnight.
Leafs had no option n all is looking rosier.
- Nighthawk

If it's not fixed over night then why the quick fixes ...why not rebuild proper ?