That's bogus. You think Mike Smith is as good as he is? He was a back-up who got cast off in Tampa Bay. Then Dave Tippett and his defensive system changed him. Overnight.

Think back to the Potvin days. Was it a big surprise to anyone that his career took a nose dive after Pat Burns and his defense first approach left town?

Great goaltending is amazing to have but if you don't have it, it's not the end of the world. Great coaching and attention to defense can make up for it.
- Unholy_Goalie

If what you say is true, maybe the leafs should trade up for the 4th pick?

If what you say is true, maybe the leafs should trade up for the 4th pick?
- A_Tree

Trading up is expensive. To get Schenn at 5th, from 7th, it cost the Leafs a 2nd and a 3rd round pick.

The big question for me is, barring trades affecting the draft order of course, is one of the teams above the Leafs actually going to pick a Dman? Teams always want that skilled forward with these high picks, but a guy like Murray might actually end up being the third or fourth best pick.

It's not likely that one of the forwards will really help the Leafs at centre this year anyway, so if it happens that no one has picked a Dman by the five spot, maybe they should take Murray.

I'm at the point now where I'm mildly interested in how the rest of the playoffs turn out, but after the second round I basically want to fast forward to draft day.

Oh yeah, and nice to see that Gardiner, Kadri, etc will get at least three rounds of AHL playoff experience this spring and Scrivens is putting up super chocolatey numbers in goal. This can't be hurt. Go Marlies Go!
- Zezel

I think CLB will take Murray, NYI will probably take Dumba, especially if MTL takes Grigorenko. Galchenyuk is risky, Dumba is what they need on the blueline. At least from that order. if CLB tak

Trading up is expensive. To get Schenn at 5th, from 7th, it cost the Leafs a 2nd and a 3rd round pick.
- Unholy_Goalie

If Galchenyuk is gone might be a good idea for us to take that deal.

If Galchenyuk is gone might be a good idea for us to take that deal.
- Boosinicka

To trade up? Or down?

If the Leafs can get a 2nd and a 3rd to move from 5th down to 7th and guarantee that Faksa is still there at 7th, that would amazing.

To trade up? Or down?

If the Leafs can get a 2nd and a 3rd to move from 5th down to 7th and guarantee that Faksa is still there at 7th, that would amazing.
- Unholy_Goalie

I concur. pretty good chance he's still available with Forsberg and Trouba ranked higher

I concur. pretty good chance he's still available with Forsberg and Trouba ranked higher
- Boosinicka

I can't see Faksa going out in the top 4

I think CLB will take Murray, NYI will probably take Dumba, especially if MTL takes Grigorenko. Galchenyuk is risky, Dumba is what they need on the blueline. At least from that order. if CLB tak
- Boosinicka

Yeah from what I see the Isles look most likely to take a D, if anyone does. It looks like no matter what happens the Leafs will get a reasonable prospect at any rate. Then again, Aki Berg and Chad Kilger were top five picks too, you never know what the hell's going to happen.

Yeah from what I see the Isles look most likely to take a D, if anyone does. It looks like no matter what happens the Leafs will get a reasonable prospect at any rate. Then again, Aki Berg and Chad Kilger were top five picks too, you never know what the hell's going to happen.
- Zezel

that's my biggest fear about this year, they say it's not a great draft year, there will be a few guys who will never amount to the hype around them. Outside of Yakupov and Murray....nothing is for sure.

The big question for me is, barring trades affecting the draft order of course, is one of the teams above the Leafs actually going to pick a Dman? Teams always want that skilled forward with these high picks, but a guy like Murray might actually end up being the third or fourth best pick.

It's not likely that one of the forwards will really help the Leafs at centre this year anyway, so if it happens that no one has picked a Dman by the five spot, maybe they should take Murray.

I'm at the point now where I'm mildly interested in how the rest of the playoffs turn out, but after the second round I basically want to fast forward to draft day.

Oh yeah, and nice to see that Gardiner, Kadri, etc will get at least three rounds of AHL playoff experience this spring and Scrivens is putting up super chocolatey numbers in goal. This can't be hurt. Go Marlies Go!
- Zezel

I wouldn't necessarily be against taking Murray, but doing so would have to lead to Schenn's departure for luongo, perhaps along with next year's first. Which, for what it's worth, wouldn't be in our best interests as I think Kadri's the one that would be going out west.

I also agree that I've lost interest in the playoffs, and really am just hoping the boys keep this up. Think, if Scrivens comes through and delivers for 4 rounds then perhaps Reimer becomes disposable this summer.

that's my biggest fear about this year, they say it's not a great draft year, there will be a few guys who will never amount to the hype around them. Outside of Yakupov and Murray....nothing is for sure.
- Symba007

Yeah, and in every draft year, you look down the list in hindsight and it boggles the mind...HOFers taken in later rounds, nevermind late first round, total busts abound in every first round. Makes you appreciate what a pull at the slot machine it can be. At least the odds are tilted a little higher in the Habs and Leafs favour with their position, but really so much of it is a crap shoot.

I wouldn't necessarily be against taking Murray, but doing so would have to lead to Schenn's departure, perhaps along with next year's first. Which, for what it's worth, wouldn't be in our best interests as I think Kadri's the one that would be going out west.

I also agree that I've lost interest in the playoffs, and really am just hoping the boys keep this up. Think, if Scrivens comes through and delivers for 4 rounds then perhaps Reimer becomes disposable this summer.
- AngryWhiteMale

Or maybe if they take Murray they look at one or more of the other D prospects they have as trade options, like Blacker, Franson, etc. I wouldn't like to try to trade Schenn and his contract after a tough year.

Same thing with Reimer, nobody's going to give much for him after his struggles this year, yet his performance last year is tantalizing. I'd like to hold onto him and Scrivens until we see what's what.

Or maybe if they take Murray they look at one or more of the other D prospects they have as trade options, like Blacker, Franson, etc. I wouldn't like to try to trade Schenn and his contract after a tough year.

Same thing with Reimer, nobody's going to give much for him after his struggles this year, yet his performance last year is tantalizing. I'd like to hold onto him and Scrivens until we see what's what.
- Zezel

I think his age and previous seasons would weigh on Vancouver as they can find plenty of evidence of Luke being worth his cheque when at his best. It'd really depend on what they would want back from us in terms of a young player who's NHL ready. Kadri would, on a line with the Sedins, probably be at least as effective as Burrows

I agree Reimer's not going to fetch us too much, but in a package might allow us to dump a salary the same way we got Franson from NSH. I'd be up for sending Reimer in order to dump Connolly as I'm sure Scrivens is NHL ready.

I'd be up for keeping Franson and seeing him with more minutes. Blacker needs time in the AHL, he could be a sleeper steal and just needs time to mature.

I think his age and previous seasons would weigh on Vancouver as they can find plenty of evidence of Luke being worth his cheque when at his best. It'd really depend on what they would want back from us in terms of a young player who's NHL ready. Kadri would, on a line with the Sedins, probably be at least as effective as Burrows

I agree Reimer's not going to fetch us too much, but in a package might allow us to dump a salary the same way we got Franson from NSH. I'd be up for sending Reimer in order to dump Connolly as I'm sure Scrivens is NHL ready.

I'd be up for keeping Franson and seeing him with more minutes. Blacker needs time in the AHL, he could be a sleeper steal and just needs time to mature.
- AngryWhiteMale

Ah, so you're working from the assumption this is all leading to a Luongo trade...I'm not as certain about that. I don't think I'd even want to give up a Schenn or Kadri for that contract. I'd rather look at Vokoun on a one or two year deal while the kids continue to develop.

Lol imagine if we did get Luongo, and then over the next season or two Reimer and/or Scrivens really do perform? Then we're stuck in the same deal Vancouver is in right now.

Ah, so you're working from the assumption this is all leading to a Luongo trade...I'm not as certain about that. I don't think I'd even want to give up a Schenn or Kadri for that contract. I'd rather look at Vokoun on a one or two year deal while the kids continue to develop.

Lol imagine if we did get Luongo, and then over the next season or two Reimer and/or Scrivens really do perform? Then we're stuck in the same deal Vancouver is in right now.
- Zezel

If we can dump a salary or two, like Komi and Army, along with Kadri and 2013 first then I think that's fair, as we've wiggled our way into a situatin of not having space with Grab's new deal, and have uncertain goaltending.

Let's face it, there's a 90% chance Luongo is either a Leaf or Bolt next year, so let's be realistic about how BB enters this draft, as that business will determine what our priorities are with that draft pick.

I'm on board with hoping BBs learned his lesson and doesn't ditch this year's pick in any Luongo deal.

This should be the Leafs new goal song

Im thinking our 1st reimer mac for luongo

schenn for jvr

think we could get jvr for schenn? Im sure phily would love to have the brother together

Im thinking our 1st reimer mac for luongo

schenn for jvr

think we could get jvr for schenn? Im sure phily would love to have the brother together
- Sherratt0204

We'd have to get more back as we'd have to contend with two Schenns on the same team to play against. PHI would have to offer a premium.

I don't think BB moves the 5th for Luongo. He is approaching this from a position of strength as there are only a handful of eligible to acwuire luongo, who has a big contract

If we can dump a salary or two, like Komi and Army, along with Kadri and 2013 first then I think that's fair, as we've wiggled our way into a situatin of not having space with Grab's new deal, and have uncertain goaltending.

Let's face it, there's a 90% chance Luongo is either a Leaf or Bolt next year, so let's be realistic about how BB enters this draft, as that business will determine what our priorities are with that draft pick.

I'm on board with hoping BBs learned his lesson and doesn't ditch this year's pick in any Luongo deal.
- AngryWhiteMale

I'm pretty sure Burke understands now that this team is still in danger of finishing low, I doubt very much he'll trade a first this year, or for the next three years. If the crash that lead to the Seguin pick didn't scare him off, this year's collapse surely will have.

There's no way Burke is sending a first, this year or next, to Vancouver. He's not going to risk watching Gillis take a lottery pick on the Leaf's dime.

Im thinking our 1st reimer mac for luongo

schenn for jvr

think we could get jvr for schenn? Im sure phily would love to have the brother together
- Sherratt0204

How about just Reimer and Mac? No way we add our top 5 pick, and I don't care what canuk fans here think of Luongo now that he's on the block...

Im thinking our 1st reimer mac for luongo
- Sherratt0204

Please. Stop thinking. It's dangerous.

This should be the Leafs new goal song
- AngryWhiteMale

- Unholy_Goalie

Tyr

I can't see Faksa going out in the top 4
- Symba007

Yakupov, Galchenyuk, Grigorenko and Murray. Faksa can easily fall to 5th.

I'm pretty sure Burke understands now that this team is still in danger of finishing low, I doubt very much he'll trade a first this year, or for the next three years. If the crash that lead to the Seguin pick didn't scare him off, this year's collapse surely will have.

There's no way Burke is sending a first, this year or next, to Vancouver. He's not going to risk watching Gillis take a lottery pick on the Leaf's dime.
- Zezel

I highly doubt the Leafs would finish out of the top 8 if they had Luongo in net for 65 games next year.

Plus you can always get those picks protected if top 1, 3, 5 etc