I think hes too expensive for most contenders. He wants to win, but i think he likes money more than winning.
- Codes1087

Brendan Smith for one of those 1st for a 5th round from Van.

I think hes too expensive for most contenders. He wants to win, but i think he likes money more than winning.
- Codes1087

I would've thought the leaves could afford 2x6

We already have a decent prospect pool and it will be getting stronger is what I am saying. You don't need to go bat ass crazy to get more picks. This stuff about taking on bad contracts is nuts. Why tie yourself down to get a second round pick? There will be teams cap struck that can't protect all their players like Panarin or yes even back to Erhoff. Deals like that are good not taking on Brent Seabrook for seven years for the 15 th pick
- VANTEL

You have to be smart on who you take on, obviously. A Seabrook type deal has too much term, but taking on a 1-2 year bad contract for a good asset is smart IMO

Craig Button said we have a great prospect pool, and thats awesome. But Arizona and Buffalo have been near the top of that list for a while and a lot of those kids havent panned out. Getting more picks gives you opportunity to trade up on quality, or take more chances. I am not satisfied with the prospect pool/future as it is, not enough high end talent outside of 4 guys - Boeser, Horvat, Pettersson and Demko, and the higher the team rises in the standings the harder it will be to find impact players

I would've thought the leaves could afford 2x6
- neem55

Leafs will need to spend on a pair of shut-down Dmen after they are turfed in the first rd this year.

#Tanev

Leafs will need to spend on a pair of shut-down Dmen after they are turfed in the first rd this year.

#Tanev
- LordHumungous

I do fully expect a first round exit. Is Bergeron healthy?

You have to be smart on who you take on, obviously. A Seabrook type deal has too much term, but taking on a 1-2 year bad contract for a good asset is smart IMO

Craig Button said we have a great prospect pool, and thats awesome. But Arizona and Buffalo have been near the top of that list for a while and a lot of those kids havent panned out. Getting more picks gives you opportunity to trade up on quality, or take more chances. I am not satisfied with the prospect pool/future as it is, not enough high end talent outside of 4 guys - Boeser, Horvat, Pettersson and Demko, and the higher the team rises in the standings the harder it will be to find impact players
- WhiteLie

I still see OJ with a top 2 skill set and ceiling.

You have to be smart on who you take on, obviously. A Seabrook type deal has too much term, but taking on a 1-2 year bad contract for a good asset is smart IMO

Craig Button said we have a great prospect pool, and thats awesome. But Arizona and Buffalo have been near the top of that list for a while and a lot of those kids havent panned out. Getting more picks gives you opportunity to trade up on quality, or take more chances. I am not satisfied with the prospect pool/future as it is, not enough high end talent outside of 4 guys - Boeser, Horvat, Pettersson and Demko, and the higher the team rises in the standings the harder it will be to find impact players
- WhiteLie

Top 4 D and top 6 forwards just don't come around as most would think every draft. Taking a swing and miss is probably better then taking another kristoffer Gunnarsson. Hit's like a truck should not be a quality that is drafted.

I still see OJ with a top 2 skill set and ceiling.
- Retinalz

For me, he's still very much a question mark as to where he'll end up. If he's top pairing, thats good news, but I have a guess that he might be a good #3. Until that is known, the team shouldnt be complacent with the Juolevi, Sautner, Chatfield, Stecher, Mceneny and a 2018 pick as the future top 6

Top 4 D and top 6 forwards just don't come around as most would think every draft. Taking a swing and miss is probably better then taking another kristoffer Gunnarsson. Hit's like a truck should not be a quality that is drafted.
- manvanfan

Agreed. Until these guys begin to make impacts at the NHL I dont want to start penciling them in for playoff-competing rosters. We've been down this road so many times

For me, he's still very much a question mark as to where he'll end up. If he's top pairing, thats good news, but I have a guess that he might be a good #3. Until that is known, the team shouldnt be complacent with the Juolevi, Sautner, Chatfield, Stecher, Mceneny and a 2018 pick as the future top 6
- WhiteLie

Having a great game so far. He jus hit the post

Having a great game so far. He jus hit the post
- CanuckDon

8 penalties and no PP goals for TPS.

Down 4-3 going into the 3rd. OJ get on the same plane as JD and PP. Utica for the Calder.

For me, he's still very much a question mark as to where he'll end up. If he's top pairing, thats good news, but I have a guess that he might be a good #3. Until that is known, the team shouldnt be complacent with the Juolevi, Sautner, Chatfield, Stecher, Mceneny and a 2018 pick as the future top 6
- WhiteLie

100%

Top 4 D and top 6 forwards just don't come around as most would think every draft. Taking a swing and miss is probably better then taking another kristoffer Gunnarsson. Hit's like a truck should not be a quality that is drafted.
- manvanfan

This

I would've thought the leaves could afford 2x6
- neem55

I’m guessing they preferred a 1 year deal, maybe at a higher cap hit but Kovy preferred the term and city of New York.

This
- Nucker101

If I remember from the draft mic up it was Weisbrod who used the phrase "safe environment" when he talked about Gadjovich and Gunnarsson. That's a fine quality for a player like Gadjovich who still put up decent numbers. Gunnarsson's zero's across the board should have been a red flag.

For me, he's still very much a question mark as to where he'll end up. If he's top pairing, thats good news, but I have a guess that he might be a good #3. Until that is known, the team shouldnt be complacent with the Juolevi, Sautner, Chatfield, Stecher, Mceneny and a 2018 pick as the future top 6
- WhiteLie

I agree, and that is why I want to draft heavy on D in the first 3 rounds. Naturally if a F drops we don't pass that up. But if you have a F and D ranked evenly, take the D.

I’m guessing they preferred a 1 year deal, maybe at a higher cap hit but Kovy preferred the term and city of New York.
- Nucker101

Ya I guess I get a bit of security. I just really thought the guy is wanting to win. Maybe NY is making a huge play on Carlson

If I remember from the draft mic up it was Weisbrod who used the phrase "safe environment" when he talked about Gadjovich and Gunnarsson. That's a fine quality for a player like Gadjovich who still put up decent numbers. Gunnarsson's zero's across the board should have been a red flag.
- manvanfan

Yeah, I totally agree.

“Safe work environment” doesn’t make sense if that guy will end up in the ECHL/AHL for most of his career. He won’t be playing with Pettersson and Boeser.

Mackenzie Stewart for example has yet to play with Horvat, Boeser or Stetcher.

Ya I guess I get a bit of security. I just really thought the guy is wanting to win. Maybe NY is making a huge play on Carlson
- neem55

Wouldn’t be surprised if they do go hard in free agency this year or next year.

But I can’t blame a guy for taking more term and choosing to live in New York City.

Yeah, I totally agree.

“Safe work environment” doesn’t make sense if that guy will end up in the ECHL/AHL for most of his career. He won’t be playing with Pettersson and Boeser.
- Nucker101

If Gadj can improve his skating I think he will be a good bottom 6 guy. That is not a bad expectation from a low 2nd.

If Gadj can improve his skating I think he will be a good bottom 6 guy. That is not a bad expectation from a low 2nd.
- Retinalz

Yeah, I think pegging him as a potential 3rd liner(if his game translates well into pro hockey) is fair. We’ll see how he develops.

He definitely needs to improve his skating with the direction the NHL is heading toward. I suspect he would’ve been drafted higher if he was in a draft 5-6 years ago when everyone wanted to be like those Ducks/Kings/Bruins teams of the past.

I agree, and that is why I want to draft heavy on D in the first 3 rounds. Naturally if a F drops we don't pass that up. But if you have a F and D ranked evenly, take the D.
- Retinalz

I am fine with that approach. But I'd still like them to try and get more picks in this, or future drafts, even if its by taking bad contracts. I am sure two 2nd round picks can get the team up in the 20 range to get a better ranked D prospect, rather than trading down

Nice to hear that OJ is having a strong game today.

Boeser not playing in the World Championships this year, in Minnesota getting wrist looked at

Boeser not playing in the World Championships this year, in Minnesota getting wrist looked at
- WhiteLie

Hopefully his wrist is fine. Glad he's not going. Rehab his injury(injuries?) and be healthy for training camp.