The commentary around Danford made me go look at the last few years. No one was happy when they drafted Cowan and wondered why they hadn't traded down; no one really liked the Minten pick and wondered why they hadn't traded down if they wanted him.

People liked the Knies pick because he was listed as 6'2 / 210lbs.

Very few liked Amirov because they wanted Schneider, Guhle, Lapierre or Zary.

There's a lot of nuttiness in here from a lot of people who know nothing more than what various other guys have spouted. Most of the time after you get out of the top-5 it's a mixed bag. These are guys who all have a lot of skill and it comes down to their personal character and will to take it to the next level.

For instance I don't know much about Solberg. I do know that he comes from a nation that produced one good NHL player in Zuccarello. I know that Solberg - like the rest of the first round - has the tools to be a good player. I don't know much about Danford. A lot of good things have been written about his character and his leadership. If guys like Danford and Cowan are those guys that hate to lose and will do what it takes to win, then the Leafs are making the right choices - but we just won't know for several years.
- Monkeypunk

I think this is a valid point but as you said, the best players are usually higher in the draft. If a guy like D ickinson is going to drop to 11th, I'd like to see the Leafs get bold and trade up for once to grab what is undeniable top end talent rather than trading down to roll the dice on "character" players. We've seen the Leafs trade down before (Dermott) and how it blew up in their face. It's another example of the Leafs having the same failing process and expecting better results.

You know it takes two to make a deal right? It's possible Vegas said no to Toronto because they valued where they think Washington picks would end up more. Every pick has a value to a management team and they likely valued where Washington would likely pick more than the Leafs could offer.
- Aaron_85

Leafs have a lot of players on their roster they could have already traded to recover that draft capital. Jarnkrok, Kampf, McCabe, Robertson, Liljegren; all could have been traded to other teams to get the picks they needed to get a guy like Marino and/or Thompson.

That being said, I was a fan of acquiring Thompson before Saros signed his extension. Now that Saros is locked in long term in Nashville, I'd target Askarov very, very hard and use almost any draft asset to acquire him.

If the Leafs could secure Askarov and have Woll as his 1A/B partner, the Leafs could be set in net for the first time in your lifetime.

I dig Utah's moves. Had no D signed for this upcoming season and got two legit Dmen. Traded their D prospect RFA in Moser but I see why.

They at least are trying to make it a real team instead of just coasting at the league min cap.

It's going to be fun with Utah no longer being where LTIR contracts go.

Leafs have a lot of players on their roster they could have already traded to recover that draft capital. Jarnkrok, Kampf, McCabe, Robertson, Liljegren; all could have been traded to other teams to get the picks they needed to get a guy like Marino and/or Thompson.

That being said, I was a fan of acquiring Thompson before Saros signed his extension. Now that Saros is locked in long term in Nashville, I'd target Askarov very, very hard and use almost any asset to acquire him.

If the Leafs could secure Askarov and have Woll as his 1A/B partner, the Leafs could be set in net for the first time in your lifetime.
- Rare_Jewel

Askarov is still a prospect technically so if you wanted to tie your job to it then I could see a GM doing what you suggest, use any asset to acquire him.


You still ignore the fact that Vegas would want to deal with Toronto or like what they were offering. Sure you can trade Robertson for like a 1st but you'd trade it for Thompson? Give me a break.

Victor Johansson

Whoddafaqisdat?

I dig Utah's moves. Had no D signed for this upcoming season and got two legit Dmen. Traded their D prospect RFA in Moser but I see why.

They at least are trying to make it a real team instead of just coasting at the league min cap.

It's going to be fun with Utah no longer being where LTIR contracts go.
- Aaron_85

Idk..

Tank for McKenna woulda been a solid plan too.

Victor Johansson

Whoddafaqisdat?
- Woderwick

6’1/143.


That’s what I was in grade 6

Askarov is still a prospect technically so if you wanted to tie your job to it then I could see a GM doing what you suggest, use any asset to acquire him.
- Aaron_85

He's a prospect the same way Rask was a prospect. Absolutely unproven in the NHL but checks every box you could want in a top prospect like Sorokin and Shesterkin before him 5/6 years ago.

Yes, you'd have to pay significantly to acquire him but it's a calculated risk worth taking.

You still ignore the fact that Vegas would want to deal with Toronto or like what they were offering. Sure you can trade Robertson for like a 1st but you'd trade it for Thompson? Give me a break.

Yes. Leafs don't need Robertson. They do need a 1A goalie to couple with Woll.

Like I said anyway, I'd target Askarov now.

It's just ridiculous that the Leafs are the team that need to make radical changes but the only thing happening is chatter about the players whom they can not and should not be moving. But at the same time, the guys they can actually trade away or acquire isn't moving an inch.

He's a prospect the same way Rask was a prospect. Absolutely unproven in the NHL but checks every box you could want in a top prospect like Sorokin and Shesterkin before him 5/6 years ago.

Yes, you'd have to pay significantly to acquire him but it's a calculated risk worth taking.



Yes. Leafs don't need Robertson. They do need a 1A goalie to couple with Woll.

Like I said anyway, I'd target Askarov now.

It's just ridiculous that the Leafs are the team that need to make radical changes but the only thing happening is chatter about the players whom they can not and should not be moving. But at the same time, the guys they can actually trade away or acquire isn't moving an inch.
- Rare_Jewel

Yeah the 100+ point team with a 69 goal scorer needs "radical" changes. Let's not get hasty.

Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
·
1m
The #pens acquire Kevin Hayes and a 2025 second-rounder from the #stlblues for future considerations.

Pittsburgh gets a sweetener for taking Hayes.

___________________________

Pittsburgh keeps making questionable decisions.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Why would anyone be surprised?

Can't lie ...I'm a little jealous that it feels a bit like when we think other teams are (frank)ed (cap wise) ...they do something to change it.

Maybe they take a hit on Jeannot but I respect that they said '(frank) it' ...we need the space to get better ...to sign Guentzal or Stammer or whatever.
- The Law

Run. It. Back. Mother. Bozak. -er.

Yeah the 100+ point team with a 69 goal scorer needs "radical" changes. Let's not get hasty.

- Aaron_85

1 playoff series win in 8 years.

Yes, they need radical changes to pretty much everything outside of the core of elite players in their prime.

Why would anyone be surprised?
- fifty__missions

They got a 20 goal scorer LW/C and added a 2nd round pick for nothing.

I wasn't a big fan of Dubas but that's not a bad deal.

They basically added Bertuzzi (cheaper 3.5 AAV) and a 2nd for future considerations.

1 playoff series win in 8 years.

Yes, they need radical changes to pretty much everything outside of the core of elite players in their prime.
- Rare_Jewel

Leafs are too afraid to make a big, bold move to break up the Core.

Buckle up for the next few years.

Mike Augello: Leafs Select Danford At #31, Toronto Draft Day #2 Recap
- mikeinbuffalo

shamford is already taller than stephens and only 6 pounds lighter 🤔

decent looking neck👍🏿

he should get himself a neck flex, build on that then jack steel (power clean, squat, deadlift and press) to get up to about 225/230👊

learn to lift properly from Rippetoe and starting strength👊🏿

of course this would be in addition to plyos and sport specific stuff like power skating, puck handling and passing👍

THEN, beyond watching film, if he wants to contribute more offensively, work on the clapper after practice 👊🏿

this is all assuming he’s a psychopath like stephens or even trouba which is doubtful because he’s part of the weakest generation in the history of mankind created by the second and third worst🤦‍♂️

what a (frank)ing joke 🤦🏿‍♂️

edit: alliteration👍

6’1/143.


That’s what I was in grade 6
- Horsey Sauce

Apparently, he's listed as 165lbs. on his team site.

6’1/143.


That’s what I was in grade 6
- Horsey Sauce

i was 6’2 200👊🏿

The commentary around Danford made me go look at the last few years. No one was happy when they drafted Cowan and wondered why they hadn't traded down; no one really liked the Minten pick and wondered why they hadn't traded down if they wanted him.

People liked the Knies pick because he was listed as 6'2 / 210lbs.

Very few liked Amirov because they wanted Schneider, Guhle, Lapierre or Zary.

There's a lot of nuttiness in here from a lot of people who know nothing more than what various other guys have spouted. Most of the time after you get out of the top-5 it's a mixed bag. These are guys who all have a lot of skill and it comes down to their personal character and will to take it to the next level.

For instance I don't know much about Solberg. I do know that he comes from a nation that produced one good NHL player in Zuccarello. I know that Solberg - like the rest of the first round - has the tools to be a good player. I don't know much about Danford. A lot of good things have been written about his character and his leadership. If guys like Danford and Cowan are those guys that hate to lose and will do what it takes to win, then the Leafs are making the right choices - but we just won't know for several years.
- Monkeypunk

Well said

Leafs are too afraid to make a big, bold move to break up the Core.

Buckle up for the next few years.
- mjones242

I'm bored already.

6’1/143.


That’s what I was in grade 6
- Horsey Sauce

I see 5’11” 137 lbs

Either way…..

https://www.nhl.com/draft...cker/2024/all?pageIndex=0

Leafs are too afraid to make a big, bold move to break up the Core.

Buckle up for the next few years.
- mjones242

They don't have to move the core, other than Tavares because he's past his prime.

They could however move Kampf, Jarnkrok, McCabe, Reaves, Liljegren and Robertson and that'd clear just as much cap space. Then use those draft picks to trade down seven or eight times and collect 112 7th round picks.

Since the Leafs are so super fantastic at trading down and drafting, you could fill the roster spots with prospects in the system lower in the line-up.

Is it just to make room for Stamkos?
- shack67

I hope so. I have mixed feelings until I see what Briesbois does with the cap space.

I'm bored already.
- fifty__missions

Which are the end times before you lose all passion.

I hope so. I have mixed feelings until I see what Briesbois does with the cap space.
- GalacticStone

Tampa Bay has earned the benefit of the doubt because of their previous success but moving a younger D to accommodate a player who is probably past his prime is an odd decision. Vasilevskiy is already expected to stand on his head, making that blueline thinner doesn't seem like a good idea.

But like you said, if they use that cap space to accommodate the defensive game, maybe it'll pay off. If they spend it all on Stamkos, I don't know if that's going to work out long term.

Which are the end times before you lose all passion.
- mjones242

The core should have been broken up min. 3 years ago. This is (frank)ing pointless.