Yes. I like Ennis, it's not that I want to see him go, but we need a game changing sniper to go with our centers at this point. I really hate though that we would have to even consider this. There's about 23 games left to go and we're going to blow the draft position by winning meaningless games. Of course it's nice to see the team win, it's been a while, and it's nice to see Lehner playing well. But, losing gets us a top four pick and a player that's NHL ready now and we wouldn't have to lose more assets to move up.

This team and its fan base has been through a lot, but a little more losing won't kill anybody. Picking top four and adding to the future top 6 can free up Ennis plus other prospects/picks to be moved for a defensemen we also desperately need.

Lose out, pick a Finn or Matthews, then move Ennis, 2017 1st, + for a guy like Shattenkirk. We will have the team set for a playoff run next year and have years worth of time for prospects to develop in the AHL.
- sskkoo1

This is what pisses me off the most. They'll win these games and it will give everyone a bunch of false hope like how we absolutely need to overpay to keep mcginn or that moulson isn't as bad as we believe or that we don't really need a top pairing d-man. All of this would be true if we played the leafs 82 times a year.

They're going to miss the playoffs. The top 3 picks are all part of the lottery this year. I'm fine with them not losing because no matter what, we have a shot at a top 3 pick this year.
- HonkFortheGoose

Yes, we have a shot at winning the lottery, but you know the odds go down the more we win. Picking top four guarantees us taking a quality player, I don't want to chance blowing that with so few games left. We lost and got Reinhart, we lost and got Eichel, nobody would say they don't love having these guys on the team, they're the team's hope of one day winning a cup. So, why wouldn't we want to add a third player of their caliber? Losing the majority of these last games can do that, and I feel the value of adding a third elite player to the team far out-weighs any end of season team chemistry we're experiencing now.

This is what pisses me off the most. They'll win these games and it will give everyone a bunch of false hope like how we absolutely need to overpay to keep mcginn or that moulson isn't as bad as we believe or that we don't really need a top pairing d-man. All of this would be true if we played the leafs 82 times a year.
- Sabresfan-365

Exactly. Look at the Bills, they lost 10 draft spots by winning the last two games of the year. And, for what? Nothing! Players don't care, quite a few are leaving anyway. Nobody goes into the next season still riding the same hot streak or having the same player chemistry, it's pointless wins that only hurt the team's future. If you can't win to make the playoffs, don't win to stay mediocre.

They're going to miss the playoffs. The top 3 picks are all part of the lottery this year. I'm fine with them not losing because no matter what, we have a shot at a top 3 pick this year.
- HonkFortheGoose

difference between having a shot and having a real shot. 6th last is 7.5%. Then it jumps to around 9.5 and then for the last spot 10.5 (though im not sure what order they'll do it in).

While I appreciate the entertainment value of a winning team, I don't need a win against New Jersey in April to feel good about where this team is heading.

Yes, we have a shot at winning the lottery, but you know the odds go down the more we win. Picking top four guarantees us taking a quality player, I don't want to chance blowing that with so few games left. We lost and got Reinhart, we lost and got Eichel, nobody would say they don't love having these guys on the team, they're the team's hope of one day winning a cup. So, why wouldn't we want to add a third player of their caliber? Losing the majority of these last games can do that, and I feel the value of adding a third elite player to the team far out-weighs any end of season team chemistry we're experiencing now.
- sskkoo1

It's tough to argue with the strategy except for one thing: It is more business than sport.

difference between having a shot and having a real shot. 6th last is 7.5%. Then it jumps to around 9.5 and then for the last spot 10.5 (though im not sure what order they'll do it in).

While I appreciate the entertainment value of a winning team, I don't need a win against New Jersey in April to feel good about where this team is heading.
- Sabresfan-365

We all know that Edmonton will be picking 1st..

It's tough to argue with the strategy except for one thing: It is more business than sport.
- Der Kaiser

But even economically speaking, getting that high pick probably does more for your business long term than a meaningless win in april. That guy gets you wins, sells more tickets and jerseys etc.

We all know that Edmonton will be picking 1st..
- Pairo11

As long as it's not Toronto

Speaking of business

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...ing-for-ways-to-cut-ties/


Hatty

It's tough to argue with the strategy except for one thing: It is more business than sport.
- Der Kaiser

I admit that I don't follow team economics as much as others do, but even when we lose the house is packed and television viewership is through the roof, so we're is the lost revenue? Every wise business man knows that the key to a successful business is investment in the future, a top draft pick does just that.

There are so many opinions on this. But in general, they don't allow athletes to do a whole ton in general. Even if he lifted small weights while sitting on the couch like you implied, it's still not the same as what his body is used to doing on a daily basis. He's still going to pack on weight because he's going from burning a ton of calories to a more normal amount.
- HonkFortheGoose

I get it, just think he could have been in a little better shape when he arrived, not game shape but a bit better

It's tough to argue with the strategy except for one thing: It is more business than sport.
- Der Kaiser

Hello Kaiser

life is all about choices
- homiedclown

Ok, I choose the girl and the beer...best choice available!

I admit that I don't follow team economics as much as others do, but even when we lose the house is packed and television viewership is through the roof, so we're is the lost revenue? Every wise business man knows that the key to a successful business is investment in the future, a top draft pick does just that.
- sskkoo1

We also benefit from revenue sharing no?

I kind of expected Reinhart to end up a guy that would be kind of like Marc Savard. 20ish goals, 60ish assists. I like what I've seen. I'd like to see him use his smarts to set up guys a bit more often now. Love the growth we've seen from him this year.
- HonkFortheGoose

20 goals and 60 assists would put him in the top 5 overall point leaders the last couple years. I hope so but that is a high watermark.

But even economically speaking, getting that high pick probably does more for your business long term than a meaningless win in april. That guy gets you wins, sells more tickets and jerseys etc.
- Sabresfan-365

I was lamenting a strategy that was driven so much by economics and so little by sportsmanship.

Again, I know in today's sport its impossible to distinguish between the two. But, ... well... nevermind.

20 goals and 60 assists would put him in the top 5 overall point leaders the last couple years. I hope so but that is a high watermark.
- Fattony1187

http://espn.go.com/nhl/pl...ts/_/id/778/brad-richards

brad richards has 293 goals, 629 helpers

922 points in 1102 games

I honestly expect Reinhart to put up those kind of numbers with that goal to assist ratio, not so lopsided the other way

http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/778/brad-richards

brad richards has 293 goals, 629 helpers

922 points in 1102 games

I honestly expect Reinhart to put up those kind of numbers with that goal to assist ratio, not so lopsided the other way
- homiedclown

I think it's because of his position. Playing on the wing he's on the end of a scoring play, not the beginning.

Hello Kaiser
- homiedclown

This is where I'm going tonight.

We also benefit from revenue sharing no?
- Sabresfan-365

I believe we do. Last I'd heard games were a 60/40 split, but that was the old CBA.

I think it's because of his position. Playing on the wing he's on the end of a scoring play, not the beginning.
- Sabresfan-365

agreed, and it's a good sign

just looked up the sedin twin's stats

similar numbers to brad richards


do those 3 get in the HOF?

This is where I'm going tonight.


- Der Kaiser

OH MY

I believe we do. Last I'd heard games were a 60/40 split, but that was the old CBA.
- sskkoo1

Im obviously exaggerating the whole "it's the end of the world if we don't pick top 5" but I feel they need to come out of this draft with an elite player. Drafting outside the top 5 doesn't get you that unless you trade it and even then I don't know if it will be enough.

OH MY
- homiedclown

If I see any of your fish, I will send them home. Sometimes they show up towards the bottom of the bottle and stick around for a few jiggers.