its not just that. we picked 8th this year and last year. i assume a version of this team that doesnt have those guys probably picks top 5 both years.
- Sabresfan-365

Thats where im at. Its mainly the O'Reilly thing. I mean hes a nice player (some will say very good) and many will argue the trade was a big win but has it or will it get us any closer to winning anything? IMO if the trade wasn't made we are that much closer to a Laine or Tkachuk or Mathews. Not to mention having the assets to swing a deal for a high quality d-man which we need more than anything.

Thats where im at. Its mainly the O'Reilly thing. I mean hes a nice player (some will say very good) and many will argue the trade was a big win but has it or will it get us any closer to winning anything? IMO if the trade wasn't made we are that much closer to a Laine or Tkachuk or Mathews. Not to mention having the assets to swing a deal for a high quality d-man which we need more than anything.
- MCGUIZZY

I think part of the issue was compared to most rebuilds the tear down here was way bigger.

for example as much credit as i give new leafs mgmt, they were fortunate that the left over pieces from the previous era while complimentary were far better than the ones we had.

They didn't/don't have to make an ROR trade because kadri was already there.

They didnt have to make a kane deal and find a d-man to go with it because they already had JVR and Gardiner (we had stafford and myers).

Thats where im at. Its mainly the O'Reilly thing. I mean hes a nice player (some will say very good) and many will argue the trade was a big win but has it or will it get us any closer to winning anything? IMO if the trade wasn't made we are that much closer to a Laine or Tkachuk or Mathews. Not to mention having the assets to swing a deal for a high quality d-man which we need more than anything.
- MCGUIZZY

I've been saying this since the deal was made.

Wrong time.

People act like ROR was a once and a lifetime get

Top 6 forwards are available all the time, and we would have had the assets to get one when the time was right

Just For fun:

Potential Sabres line up for the 2019-2020 season

Mittelstadt-Eichel-Reinhart
Kane-Oreilly-Okposo
Nylander-Asplund-Oloffson
Bailey-Girgensons-Fasching

Guhle-Ristolainen
Mccabe- Borgen
Beaulieu-Antipin
Stephans-Fitzgerald

Ullmark
Johansson
Luukkonen
- MCGUIZZY

Fasching over baptiste?

Compher+Zads+ maybe Matthews or Laine (or even Pujujaarvi)+ cap space.


I love ROR as a 2nd line center, but I think the trades were the worst part of this rebuild.
- sbroads24

Its pretty scary that a team that is still bad has such little cap space and assets.

Fasching over baptiste?
- jcragcrumple

Ehh yea that was kind of a toss up. Id prob put him there if i did it over again. The big body of Fasching prob made me sway in that direction for the 4th line.

Huh....i dont think Ullmark wants to spend another year in the AHL...so unless Lehner goes im not sure how this would work out
- feetontheair22

Tough (frank)ing poop

Its pretty scary that a team that is still bad has such little cap space and assets.
- MCGUIZZY

Yup.

At least Eichel is here

I've been saying this since the deal was made.

Wrong time.

People act like ROR was a once and a lifetime get

Top 6 forwards are available all the time, and we would have had the assets to get one when the time was right
- sbroads24

Duchene, Galchenyuk, Eberle, Drouin, Hall....List could/will likely go on

Ehh yea that was kind of a toss up. Id prob put him there if i did it over again. The big body of Fasching prob made me sway in that direction for the 4th line.
- MCGUIZZY

Is olofson the 7th rounder? Is he still on a good development path?

Is olofson the 7th rounder? Is he still on a good development path?
- jcragcrumple

I still have high hopes for him. I believe he will come over next year with Asplund. He Was interviewed recently and seems to be on good terms.

I've been saying this since the deal was made.

Wrong time.

People act like ROR was a once and a lifetime get

Top 6 forwards are available all the time, and we would have had the assets to get one when the time was right
- sbroads24

I put the Okposo signing in the same category, even if it was a FA signing and not a trade.

ROR trade should have happened when we ousted Miller and Ott, except we decided to rebuild/tank.

Then waited a year to do the trade.

Tim Murray was the complete opposite of Darcy/Patient.

Let's just hope Botterill is somewhere in between.

I'm not sure why you tank for 2 seasons, with only 2 or 3 players in mind (Reinhart, Eichel, McDavid), then unload all of your prospects, picks and depth to swing 2 trades that you just don't do when you're just beginning a rebuild.

It would be like if Colorado traded for Giroux and Jeff Skinner last season, it just makes no sense.

Duchene, Galchenyuk, Eberle, Drouin, Hall....List could/will likely go on
- MCGUIZZY

Saadx2, Panarin, Johansen, Schenn, Drouin

I put the Okposo signing in the same category, even if it was a FA signing and not a trade.
- buffalofan19

I hated that signing last year, with a passion. Nothing against Okposo, but he should have gotten 5x5 max or good luck elsewhere.

I still have high hopes for him. I believe he will come over next year with Asplund. He Was interviewed recently and seems to be on good terms.
- MCGUIZZY

I remember him being a skill pick. Hey, Moulson was a 7th rounder too, so hopefully it works out

I think part of the issue was compared to most rebuilds the tear down here was way bigger.

for example as much credit as i give new leafs mgmt, they were fortunate that the left over pieces from the previous era while complimentary were far better than the ones we had.

They didn't/don't have to make an ROR trade because kadri was already there.

They didnt have to make a kane deal and find a d-man to go with it because they already had JVR and Gardiner (we had stafford and myers).
- Sabresfan-365

Yep. The Leafs also had a farm system that was much more successful and further along. Timing was almost perfect

I put the Okposo signing in the same category, even if it was a FA signing and not a trade.
- buffalofan19

Agree, but at that point the damage was done.

I remember him being a skill pick. Hey, Moulson was a 7th rounder too, so hopefully it works out
- jcragcrumple

Yea for sure. He was a long term pick for sure. Kind of a pick it and forget it type prospect. I think hes on the right path developmentally and almost ready to make the jump to pros

I've been saying this since the deal was made.

Wrong time.

People act like ROR was a once and a lifetime get

Top 6 forwards are available all the time, and we would have had the assets to get one when the time was right
- sbroads24

I just bookmarked this page. Consider yourself and Mickey G warned.

Saadx2, Panarin, Johansen, Schenn, Drouin
- sbroads24

All of those sting. Schenn is a meh but still

Agree, but at that point the damage was done.
- sbroads24

I miss Tim Murray

All of those sting. Schenn is a meh but still
- MCGUIZZY

I wouldn't have wanted all of them, just pointing out how often top 6 guys are moved.

I wouldn't have wanted all of them, just pointing out how often top 6 guys are moved.
- sbroads24

Panarin says hi

Thats where im at. Its mainly the O'Reilly thing. I mean hes a nice player (some will say very good) and many will argue the trade was a big win but has it or will it get us any closer to winning anything? IMO if the trade wasn't made we are that much closer to a Laine or Tkachuk or Mathews. Not to mention having the assets to swing a deal for a high quality d-man which we need more than anything.
- MCGUIZZY

Hey man those are fighting words .....