no, thats not it.
rather than try and circumvent a proper build, he stuck to a plan.
Not only did he draft and develop intelligently,he then he signed key ufas and traded for necessary pieces such as Guerin, Kunitz and now Neal.
- Barx

I'm not going to argue this, they lucked out on the draft years, it doesn't come around every year that those type of players are available in the draft. The "model" is hard to duplicate because you can never can get the same players, some don't understand that aspect of the draft. Luck plays a huge role in this.

you should have got a discount for the misspelling
- Barx

hahaha...ffackkkk offf!

Honestly, the way we played PIT coming out of the allstar break I don't think anyone could say that TOR was out of shape or a team that would miss the playoffs let alone finish 5th last overall.

I think the major major major problem is that he put his faith in Monster when he first signed him and then later Reimer and he got burned big time.

If you keep the exact same roster and add only a goalie like maybe Halak then they make the playoffs and the criticism of many of the players goes away.

Would they have been a team to contend for years and years, I don't know, but in my opinion goaltending cost them a playoff spot this year anyways. Maybe that's a good thing.
- leafs93

Ya goaltending and D.
Some of the D we have are simply not smart enough on the ice.
I'm all for getting Halak or someone equilivent.
But the current roster collaspe from top to bottom....so overall it needs to be reviewed.

seguin wouldn't have been a brain buster either
- Barx

Neither would have Kessel

I'm not going to argue this, they lucked out on the draft years, it doesn't come around every year that those type of players are available in the draft. The "model" is hard to duplicate because you can never can get the same players, some don't understand that aspect of the draft. Luck plays a huge role in this.
- LeafMan

The 'model' is easy to follow, just as the Hawks, Blues did and the Oilers are currently doing......
You simply need to stay the course and be patient, something Burke has proven he isn't willing to do, and also warned yesterday that he won't do moving forward.

hahaha...ffackkkk offf!
- coach

how PIT got neal for goligoski is beyond me, what a steal!
- coach

That was an inexperienced Nieuwendyk that jumped the gun, it was a mistake by one GM that took the bait from another, the way I see it. If you don't try, you won't succeed.

The 'model' is easy to follow, just as the Hawks, Blues did and the Oilers are currently doing......
You simply need to stay the course and be patient, something Burke has proven he isn't willing to do, and also warned yesterday that he won't do moving forward.
- Barx

that road is starting to get some very deep ruts in it

that road is starting to get some very deep ruts in it
- Dozzer

For every hit there is a miss.

For every hit there is a miss.
- LeafMan

actually considering that a 0.333 average in baseball is considered excellent its safe to assume that for every hit there is two misses lol

that road is starting to get some very deep ruts in it
- Dozzer

Burke sounded so defeated, frustrated and pathetic yesterday, I fear now more than ever for that top 5 pick.
If he keeps it, perhaps gathers another via trade, I might feel better about things.
But damn, I didn't like his tone yesterday. It has Rick Nash written all over it.

Our #5 + Kadri + Kulemin + Gunnar/Franson for Rick Nash. Yes/No?

Our #5 + Kadri + Kulemin + Gunnar/Franson for Rick Nash. Yes/No?
- Leafland

(frank) no


Were guarenteed to get rather Filip Forsberg or Alex Galchenyuk with our pick. Yakupov,Grigorenko and Murray will be top 3. Or if Oilers,Jackets and Habs all go forwards theres no way the Islanders will pass Murray at 4.

Just take the asset and move forward. Jackets want too much for a guy that has a no-trade clause and can choose where to go

That package might work if we move our 2013 1st with it. But, were not moving our #5 selection, we need this player to be a piece of the puzzle if we are to get out of this rebuild someday.

Burke sounded so defeated, frustrated and pathetic yesterday, I fear now more than ever for that top 5 pick.
If he keeps it, perhaps gathers another via trade, I might feel better about things.
But damn, I didn't like his tone yesterday. It has Rick Nash written all over it.
- Barx

I don't think it had Rick Nash written all over it. I think it had that its going to try and get players that are big and will help us against Boston, I would expect him to make a run at Paul Gaustad and maybe a couple other players that can beef up our bottom 6 and maybe Hal Gill for the back end and to help support Dion in the leadership department as Burke put it.

actually considering that a 0.333 average in baseball is considered excellent its safe to assume that for every hit there is two misses lol
- Dozzer

Yeah, I don't think there is anybody in the top 5 that will make a major impact other then maybe Yakapov, it is a very unimpressive draft class to me.

- dt99999

how PIT got neal for goligoski is beyond me, what a steal!
- coach

it was a good trade for them yes, but playing with Malkin doesnt hurt.. If he plays with Bozak all year, he might hit 30/30

Our #5 + Kadri + Kulemin + Gunnar/Franson for Rick Nash. Yes/No?
- Leafland

Just say no to drugs.

- Pecafan Fan

- dt99999

- LeafMan

(frank) no


Were guarenteed to get rather Filip Forsberg or Alex Galchenyuk with our pick. Yakupov,Grigorenko and Murray will be top 3. Or if Oilers,Jackets and Habs all go forwards theres no way the Islanders will pass Murray at 4.

Just take the asset and move forward. Jackets want too much for a guy that has a no-trade clause and can choose where to go

That package might work if we move our 2013 1st with it. But, were not moving our #5 selection, we need this player to be a piece of the puzzle if we are to get out of this rebuild someday.
- t_leafs21

I'd say we are guaranteed Forsberg, and that's all, and I'm not exactly sure what type of player he will be. I'd rather just take Faksa with the 5, but Nash gets a bit of a bad name around here because of his high salary.

Just say no to drugs.
- Leafsfan9329

Care to elaborate? It's so easy to shoot down others suggestions and not add your own.

Yeah, I don't think there is anybody in the top 5 that will make a major impact other then maybe Yakapov, it is a very unimpressive draft class to me.
- LeafMan

yeah well.. while there is truth to that who saw skinner's potential?

just an example.

guys bloom at different times.. hell the leafs have mckegg and he went in the 3rd round... if he had bloomed one year sooner.. no way the leafs get him

i really do like gaunce.. not a flashy guy but an intangibles guy.. the type of guy the leafs are sorely lacking in their top 6