not particularly. this is probably toronto's best shot at getting a franchise center. they already have depth skill guys in the system (marner, nylander) and will probably get another top 5-10 pick next year. domi and strome have a chance at being great but matthews is less of a risk and likely fills a greater need.
- daeth

i honestly (frank)ing hope not...

i know they were playing with no pressure, but the team looked much better with Nylander playing. Factor in JVR, Marner, Matthews and possibly Stamkos, Vesey, Zaitsev, i dont think playoffs is a stretch...

- lumlums

how about the jets. holy hell did they get lucky. as far as i was concerned they already had enough talent to make the playoffs, they just needed more experience. adding a potential franchise winger to that?

i honestly (frank)ing hope not...

i know they were playing with no pressure, but the team looked much better with Nylander playing. Factor in JVR, Marner, Matthews and possibly Stamkos, Vesey, Zaitsev, i dont think playoffs is a stretch...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

repeating what buffalo did would be best case scenario imo. they finished around that spot.

edit: though if they sign stamkos, vesey, zaitsev it'll be really interesting. that could be a good team.

why hasn't zaitsev signed in toronto yet?

- lumlums

why'd they wait until this year?

leafs will never rebuild, they'll suck forever

*leafs start rebuilding*

such shameful tanking
- daeth

It is funny. Leafs could have signed a couple of big UFAs and trade some firsts and seconds to try to make the playoffs. It wouldn't have been 'tanking', just a doomed, stupid strategy.

how about the jets. holy hell did they get lucky. as far as i was concerned they already had enough talent to make the playoffs, they just needed more experience. adding a potential franchise winger to that?
- daeth

Yeah, they've already got a poop-tonne of talent before this... they'll be the west powerhouse team if EDM don't figure out a Defence...

why'd they wait until this year?
- daeth

Because the montreal gazette doesn't have time for logic amongst all these "hot taeks"!

i honestly (frank)ing hope not...

i know they were playing with no pressure, but the team looked much better with Nylander playing. Factor in JVR, Marner, Matthews and possibly Stamkos, Vesey, Zaitsev, i dont think playoffs is a stretch...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

you will be in for another year of pain if you don't think the leafs will have a top 5-10 pick. unless we sign stamkos and trade for andersen, there's no way we are pushing for a playoff spot

oh ffs, is this gonna revive rig and tank talk?

it's not rigged, I present exhibit A the Oilers

teams will always suck and rebuild, it's part of it

it can't all be perfectly scripted like Teen Wolf

repeating what buffalo did would be best case scenario imo. they finished around that spot.

edit: though if they sign stamkos, vesey, zaitsev it'll be really interesting. that could be a good team.
- daeth

Leafs will get Eriksson

Because the montreal gazette doesn't have time for logic amongst all these "hot taeks"!
- lumlums

Habs need to realize they were the worst team from January to the end and eat a big blue and white Richard and like it.

Yeah, they've already got a poop-tonne of talent before this... they'll be the west powerhouse team if EDM don't figure out a Defence...
- lumlums

They had 99 points a couple years back

Kyle Connor is supposedly a beast too. They're going to be stacked.

Leafs will get Eriksson
- AdamFrench

anders??!

They had 99 points a couple years back

Kyle Connor is supposedly a beast too. They're going to be stacked.
- daeth

Yup... plus they have like three quality young to youngish goalies...

you will be in for another year of pain if you don't think the leafs will have a top 5-10 pick. unless we sign stamkos and trade for andersen, there's no way we are pushing for a playoff spot
- matt1337

I disagree...

No Dion, No Mathias, No Holland... The young guys showed they can handle the NHL, and even excel. Roster spots were wasted on junk last season.. Theres too much firepower to not succeed. Vesey and Zaitsev (not a done deal) are both mature players, they wont really have a growing phase.

Goaltending is the kicker.. they need someone other than Bernier.

We are not the goddamn buffalo sabre,, the comparison is dumb.

The haterz can go frank themselves.

With rare exceptions, the Leafs have been franking putrid since the inception of the amateur draft, yet this is only the second time we have the #1 pick.

Choke on your tears, losers.

anders??!
- daeth

Loui

you will be in for another year of pain if you don't think the leafs will have a top 5-10 pick. unless we sign stamkos and trade for andersen, there's no way we are pushing for a playoff spot
- matt1337

It's not out of the question. There are A LOT of improvements going into next year.

oh ffs, is this gonna revive rig and tank talk?

it's not rigged, I present exhibit A the Oilers

teams will always suck and rebuild, it's part of it

it can't all be perfectly scripted like Teen Wolf
- Zezel

Boof wasn't very hot.

Loui
- AdamFrench

well there goes that awkward boner

how about the jets. holy hell did they get lucky. as far as i was concerned they already had enough talent to make the playoffs, they just needed more experience. adding a potential franchise winger to that?
- daeth

Yeah, the Jets did nicely for themselves. It's a great result, I'd like to see powerhouse Canadian teams, and takes the pick out of division and conference. Love to see the Jets, Oil and Flames all kicking the piss out of the Canucks.

Yup... plus they have like three quality young to youngish goalies...
- lumlums

where did hellebuyck come from, i thought hutch was their guy. 5th round pick? you really have to just draft as many as you can late and hope one turns out don't you lol.

Boof wasn't very hot.
- Atomic Wedgie