Leafs traded Wendel Clark for Sundin. Another time they traded Beauchemin for Gardiner and Lupul. Can't forget Gary Leeman and scraps for Gilmour. Really in the end the Leafs traded Clark, Leeman, Seguin, Beauchemin, and Hamilton and ended up with Sundin, Lupul, Gardiner, Gilmour, and Kessel. That's not that bad.
- daeth

And, of course, that was the fatal flaw. A whimsical decision that would ultimately cost him his job. More important, a decision that likely set the Leafs back two or three years in their rebuild.

There now appears to be a growing body of opinion that the Leafs should trade Kessel while they are still able to get some value for him.

I am not sure that is a useful pathway at this point in time.
- spatso

Ship his ass out of town, enough with this Circus... Tank tank tank .. get as many top 5 picks as you can in the next 3 drafts... Lupul, Phaneuf, Mac, Liles, komisarek take whatever picks we can get for them

Ship his ass out of town, enough with this Circus... Tank tank tank .. get as many top 5 picks as you can in the next 3 drafts... Lupul, Phaneuf, Mac, Liles, komisarek take whatever picks we can get for them
- senstroll

I hated the trade, simply because I disagree trading top picks or prospects if you are rebuilding. On the other hand, I don't think the Leafs can get as good a return for Kessel as he is worth. He is only 25 years old. I would rather see them resign him and get him a real #1 center.

I hated the trade, simply because I disagree trading top picks or prospects if you are rebuilding. On the other hand, I don't think the Leafs can get as good a return for Kessel as he is worth. He is only 25 years old. I would rather see them resign him and get him a real #1 center.
- spatso

I agree with everything you are saying here. I'm scared.

That has already been pointed out (scroll back) .
- Doppleganger

good lord no

I agree with everything you are saying here. I'm scared.
- daeth

I have been saying essentially the same thing for the last 3 years.

good lord no
- sanfordnson

Seeing Dopps telling somebody to scroll back is both hilarious and terrifying.

The hindsight is 20 20 game is fun to play.

Where would the leafs be, if some trades were not made, and Rask, Seguin & Hamilton were leafs.
- Doppleganger

nowhere...we would be told the leafs ruined them and they are all busts.

see Kadri, Schenn etc.

nowhere...we would be told the leafs ruined them and they are all busts.

see Kadri, Schenn etc.
- senstroll

Does any team have a worse record than the Leafs in developing draft picks?

Does any team have a worse record than the Leafs in developing draft picks?
- spatso

It's hard to tell what's due to poor drafting and what's due to poor development. Columbus would seem to have the worst record considering where they've been drafting over the years though. To continuously get top 10 picks and only have Nash to show for it is quite impressive.

The Leafs have not had all that many draft picks in the 1st round until recently and in the past they often didn't even keep the guys they drafted anyway. It'd be hard to rank them.

The hindsight is 20 20 game is fun to play.

Where would the leafs be, if some trades were not made, and Rask, Seguin & Hamilton were leafs.
- Doppleganger

Don't think Burke sign guys like Beachemin, Komisarek, etc if he doesn't trade for Kessel so things could be quite different. They may very well have basically been the Oilers with Hall and RNH, who knows?

It's hard to tell what's due to poor drafting and what's due to poor development. Columbus would seem to have the worst record considering where they've been drafting over the years though. To continuously get top 10 picks and only have Nash to show for it is quite impressive.

The Leafs have not had all that many draft picks in the 1st round until recently and in the past they often didn't even keep the guys they drafted anyway. It'd be hard to rank them.
- daeth

I agree...who knows if its drafting or developing or both.

We do have some players that were drafted by the leafs, starting to make an impact.. They were JFJ picks mind you.

2006 - Reimer, Kulemin, Holzer, Komarov
2007 - Frattin, Gunnarson

The Burke era, we still dont know yet, it will take another 3 years to get the results we need to make an assessment.

I do see a change starting, Ithink.. Kadri was not handed a spot, was sent down, had to earn it, work hard etc.. Also they didnt keep Rielly up this season, which I am glad, just leave him then entire year, maybe even most of next season before giving him a chance. Some people/media talked about the chances of Rielly staying up this season, or getting the 5 game trial..it looks like it wasn't even a thought, down he went

hopefully a new trend of just keeping picks, letting them develop as long as you can, and just keep adding to the pile of prospects each year. That can only improve the depth for years

I agree...who knows if its drafting or developing or both.

We do have some players that were drafted by the leafs, starting to make an impact.. They were JFJ picks mind you.

2006 - Reimer, Kulemin, Holzer, Komarov
2007 - Frattin, Gunnarson

The Burke era, we still dont know yet, it will take another 3 years to get the results we need to make an assessment.

I do see a change starting, Ithink.. Kadri was not handed a spot, was sent down, had to earn it, work hard etc.. Also they didnt keep Rielly up this season, which I am glad, just leave him then entire year, maybe even most of next season before giving him a chance. Some people/media talked about the chances of Rielly staying up this season, or getting the 5 game trial..it looks like it wasn't even a thought, down he went

hopefully a new trend of just keeping picks, letting them develop as long as you can, and just keep adding to the pile of prospects each year. That can only improve the depth for years
- senstroll

Looking at his draft picks, over the course of his tenure, I see some solid players, no potential stars, other than Rielly. Outside chance on Finn too I guess.

Blacker could end up as one of those solid two way guys, but probably not first pairing. Second pairing maybe. Good minute eater, not a game breaker.

McKegg has good scoring potential, but he’s not a first line winger in the making either.

Ross, a good Darcy Tucker like sandpaper scoring winger, but not a first liner either. Probably more like a third liner that can pop a few goals here and there, if anything. Not gonna set the world on fire. I think last year’s draft is sort of interesting.

Biggs, I can’t see him as a good scoring line winger. But can be decent as a depth guy with some muscle, and score occasionally.

Percy, I think he had potential, but post-concussions, things don’t look so promising anymore. The better picks seem to be after the first round. Leivo is doing quite well, again, maybe a second line scoring winger. Nilsson is apparently turning heads in Sweden. Many said he was Sweden’s top Dman in the world juniors (partly due to injury).

Rielly speaks for himself, and Finn has been absolutely great in the OHL this year as an 18 year old.

So far, the Leafs are being led by their young players. 6 points in 6 games for Kadri, and 5 points in 3 games for Frattin. And Reimer looks solid thus far.

So far, the Leafs are being led by their young players. 6 points in 6 games for Kadri, and 5 points in 3 games for Frattin. And Reimer looks solid thus far.
- RogerRoeper

yup, Kadri and Frattin are absolutely carrying this team right now.

I think a solid defensive system is helping Reimer, who isn't playing badly though at all.

yup, Kadri and Frattin are absolutely carrying this team right now.

I think a solid defensive system is helping Reimer, who isn't playing badly though at all.
- prock

If he could give up less fivehole goals (1 per game average I bet) he'd be better. Statistically he hasn't been bad though.

Reimer now has a .922 save %

Reimer now has a .922 save %
- RogerRoeper

If he can keep his sv% around .920 we may have a chance. I would think he needs to even play above that for the leafs to make the playoffs

Its early yet, but the goals against has to improve, so far it has
2011/12 - 3.21 gaa
2013 - 2.88 gaa

The pp/pk is the other one, so far the PK is improved a little bit, but the PP is down.

Good job everybody!

Who are you guys trading for? Getlzaf or Ovechkin?

Who are you guys trading for? Getlzaf or Ovechkin?
- Morris

dont you follow eklund? they will all come to the leafs!

dont you follow eklund? they will all come to the leafs!
- nightmare3020

From my meddling on Cap geek: If Washington and Colorado accepts exclusively picks and prospects in trades for Ovi and O'Reilly, and you compliance buyout Phaneuf and Komi and replace them with guys making league minimum, your top 6 can be

Lupul-Getzlaf-Kessel
Ovi-O'Reilly-JVR

Win every game 9-7. You're welcome.

Who are you guys trading for? Getlzaf or Ovechkin?
- Morris

sign Getz if you can, forget trading for anyone, the leafs do not have any young assets to trade.. 1 "A" prospect and a bunch if B or C level ones.

sign Getz if you can, forget trading for anyone, the leafs do not have any young assets to trade.. 1 "A" prospect and a bunch if B or C level ones.
- senstroll

And don't trade this year's draft pick either.

And don't trade this year's draft pick either.
- Doppleganger

that goes without saying.
If the leafs trade 1 more first all hope is lost for this team.. hopefully a team moves into the GTA and I can start over in that case