I understand the hype/potential, but until he proves it in the NHL, I cant put McDavid in any category, especially next to elite players......
- Ur Not Me

As a junior I've seen Tavares play over 30 games live, I have seen Stamkos play about a dozen games live and I've seen McDavid six or seven times live and McDavid is better than both and by allot. McDavid is the best most dominat junior player I have seen since Eric Lindros. McDavid will be in the same category as those players and he will prove it this coming season. In two to three years he will be the best player in the world.

And if you don't think losing sucks, I don't remember which game it was against the Wild but I think the Hawks won an overtime game and the last person off the ice was Suter and as he was about to get off the ice he was watching the Hawks celebrate and I was wondering if he was looking at them and thinking maybe I should of signed with Chicago or what do we have to do to beat this team

First off...Lou would think our roster is miles ahead of the one he just left. So that point is inaccurate. Secondly, his function is to open up his rolodex to Shanahan and Dubas, not make trades.

And lastly, your first paragraph is exactly what I just said. So...
- djamon

Lou's roster in New Jersey compared to the Leafs is irrelevant, except that he presided over how bad it progressively became. And he said himself today after the worship session press conference the "roster obviously needs work". So who's gonna make the trades-the Excel spreadsheet kid?

The point is elite teams have elite players and as of now Toronto doesn't have an elite player or a prospect who is projected to be an elite player.
- paulr

I think they are hoping for the top pick next season

Lou's roster in New Jersey compared to the Leafs is irrelevant, except that he presided over how bad it progressively became. And he said himself today after the worship session press conference the "roster obviously needs work". So who's gonna make the trades-the Excel spreadsheet kid?
- RickJ

Yep, I'd say so. He handled the Kessel and Marincin deals, and I think he will carry on from there. With Lou in tow.

Lou's roster in New Jersey compared to the Leafs is irrelevant, except that he presided over how bad it progressively became. And he said himself today after the worship session press conference the "roster obviously needs work". So who's gonna make the trades-the Excel spreadsheet kid?
- RickJ

Same Leaf fan wherever you go. Even after half a century of disappointment they somehow remain delusionally optimistic.

As a junior I've seen Tavares play over 30 games live, I have seen Stamkos play about a dozen games live and I've seen McDavid six or seven times live and McDavid is better than both and by allot. McDavid is the best most dominat junior player I have seen since Eric Lindros. McDavid will be in the same category as those players and he will prove it this coming season. In two to three years he will be the best player in the world.
- paulr

Im not doubting McDavid's ability but anything could happen when the kid steps onto the ice, is what I was trying to point out. Until he proves it, I cant anoint him in the elite category yet...

I think they are hoping for the top pick next season
- walshyleafsfan

So are Buffalo, Carolina, Arizona and probably Edmonton ..... So what?

Same Leaf fan wherever you go. Even after half a century of disappointment they somehow remain delusionally optimistic.
- paulr

I don't understand how this offseason can be viewed as disappointing for the Leafs though?

Sorry, but Reilly had a great sophomore season. And Nylander and Marner are both elite level prospects.
- djamon

Reilly did not have the season most would have expected of a 4th overall pick. Maybe it was partly due to the donkeys he was paired with, but he was not very good at all.

And that's why nobody dialed his number when Hockey Canada was picking the team for the World Championships.

I expect big time improvement under Babcock.

So are Buffalo, Carolina, Arizona and probably Edmonton ..... So what?
- paulr

We're easily worse than all of them (sans Edmonton)

Im not doubting McDavid's ability but anything could happen when the kid steps onto the ice, is what I was trying to point out. Until he proves it, I cant anoint him in the elite category yet...
- Ur Not Me

You're correct ... But at the same time he will be there and it will happen next season.

Reilly did not have the season most would have expected of a 4th overall pick. Maybe it was partly due to the donkeys he was paired with, but he was not very good at all.

And that's why nobody dialed his number when Hockey Canada was picking the team for the World Championships.

I expect big time improvement under Babcock.
- RickJ

U sure bout that....??
- Ur Not Me

As a fan you sort of need to be, right? I'd call both of their systems pretty light but a few of the younger guys now with NJ look pretty solid. Not so many on the Leafs yet.

I don't understand how this offseason can be viewed as disappointing for the Leafs though?
- walshyleafsfan

Isn't it time for your jello and a bed time story?

Reilly did not have the season most would have expected of a 4th overall pick. Maybe it was partly due to the donkeys he was paired with, but he was not very good at all.

And that's why nobody dialed his number when Hockey Canada was picking the team for the World Championships.

I expect big time improvement under Babcock.
- RickJ

Reilly's 2nd season is pretty close to Keith's second season. Not saying he's going to be Duncan Keith, but as a dman, I think he's progressed as expected.

Same Leaf fan wherever you go. Even after half a century of disappointment they somehow remain delusionally optimistic.
- paulr

That's because they know Kadri will be better than Toews next season, Reilly will be better than Keith and their elite prospects will be better than Kane. It's gonna happen.

Isn't it time for your jello and a bed time story?
- paulr

Erm..... OK. That just got weird quickly.

As a fan you sort of need to be, right? I'd call both of their systems pretty light but a few of the younger guys now with NJ look pretty solid. Not so many on the Leafs yet.
- tredbrta

Me being an outsider, the NJD have a much better/younger D-core, easily a better G, and could match the F's since Kessel is gone, but I could be wrong..

And if you don't think losing sucks, I don't remember which game it was against the Wild but I think the Hawks won an overtime game and the last person off the ice was Suter and as he was about to get off the ice he was watching the Hawks celebrate and I was wondering if he was looking at them and thinking maybe I should of signed with Chicago or what do we have to do to beat this team
- BetweenTheDots

I'll bet he regrets that decision frequently. Not sure anyone here does. It would have caused even more re-shuffling under cap pressure. It's not as if there is a big difference to Madison between Minneapolis and Chicago.

To your earlier post. I think front offices, like fans, are always going to be second guessing GMs and coaches. Even though Stan salvaged the Saad situation somewhat who is to say he couldn't have even gotten more for him at the draft? He is GM. He could have given Saad and Gross a deadline to sign before the draft. He could have bought out Bickell. Hard to speculate on the rumors of offers for Sharp et al but those are 2 things he could have forced which would have provided more control.

That's because they know Kadri will be better than Toews next season, Reilly will be better than Keith and their elite prospects will be better than Kane. It's gonna happen.
- RickJ

I don't remember who, but had a Leaf fan come on isles thread and talk about Kadri is comparable to Tavares....

I don't remember who, but had a Leaf fan come on isles thread and talk about Kadri is comparable to Tavares....
- Ur Not Me

As I said, delusionally optimistic.

I don't remember who, but had a Leaf fan come on isles thread and talk about Kadri is comparable to Tavares....
- Ur Not Me

That swarthy, ignorant blowhard Kadri is going to get some very tough love from Babcock and Lamorello if he doesn't march to their music. And that's why he got a one year contract.

Me being an outsider, the NJD have a much better/younger D-core, easily a better G, and could match the F's since Kessel is gone, but I could be wrong..
- Ur Not Me

Agreed. I was looking at the future outlook. Thought that was what he was implying - that the Leafs appear to be better now and down the line. NJ has some solid young guys.... and a lot of the players that are dragging them down were brought in by Lou. If the Leafs are smart Hunter and Dubas will be making the talent judgments and Lou can make the intros to the old boy network (whatever that is). Though, based on all of those reports from former employees, that could be very difficult with Lou. He sounds like an egomaniac of epic proportion. He probably won't take a back seat to anyone. I still don't get the move.

If Bowman was "unprepared" for the Saad development...

...he salvaged the situation beautifully in my opinion.
- ArlingtonRob

I love the part that came back that is Dano. Anisimov on the other hand is going to have to earn my acceptance.