Personally I hadn't looked closely at Morgan Reilly before this draft. From what I've read he could be the most offensively skilled PMD in this draft. Why some people are ready to immolate themselves in front of the ACC because of that mystifies me somewhat.

For all we know Reilly could be the Karlsson of this draft but we didn't let him slip to 15th like Karlsson did. A centre was not going to play for us this year, or maybe next year either, unless we rushed him, in which case people would be crying about rushing the player.

The Leafs are building major strength in their blueline prospects, that's not a bad thing. For all we know Reilly actually IS a top five pick, nobody knows anything yet.
- Zezel

I know we have Liles, Gardiner, and to a lesser extent Percy. And there is a chance we pick up Schultz who can move the puck. I like Finn as our second pick but we picked the exact same type of player with both our picks. I don't get what he is going for we have defensive depth.

I know we have Liles, Gardiner, and to a lesser extent Percy. And there is a chance we pick up Schultz who can move the puck. I like Finn as our second pick but we picked the exact same type of player with both our picks. I don't get what he is going for we have defensive depth.
- maverickJ

That's the thing though, if they truly believe Morgan Reilly is an absolute gem, if they believe he has 1D, Norris potential, which they clearly do if they had him rated so high, are they going to not pick him just because they have Liles, Gardiner, and Percy? None of these picks are going to play in the next couple of years anyway. A LOT can happen during that time.

That's the thing though, if they truly believe Morgan Reilly is an absolute gem, if they believe he has 1D, Norris potential, which they clearly do if they had him rated so high, are they going to not pick him just because they have Liles, Gardiner, and Percy? None of these picks are going to play in the next couple of years anyway. A LOT can happen during that time.
- Zezel

I agree. You take the best talent available. Grigs or Faksa etc won't be in the NHL for 2 years. In 2 years you don't have phaneuf or gunnar (possibly). If rielly ends up a better version of liles in 3 years, then you trade liles. Its better to deal upgrade talent and trade from strength then draft a lesser talent by position. I dont see people's logic in being upset with the leafs draft

I am so confused by what Burke's doing!

Rielly is talented, dont get me wrong, and Finn is a steal and one of my favourite players in this draft, period. But he completely ignored our biggest need and total suspect choices after Finn.

Toninato? That was off the board.
Brown? Where does he honestly see this kid going?
Loov? What does he see in him??

Rupert has the most upside of their last 4 picks. Look for Burke to give his twin, Matt, a tryout a long the way.

Overall, another disappointing draft by Burke.

I'm not saying they didn't get anything back in return; they got a great player. The timing of the trade is what makes it so bad IMO. When a team is a piece or two away from truly contending is when I'd make a trade like that, not at what should be the outset of a rebuild.
- Domidives

Burke didn't think the Leafs would finish that bad. We haven't finished that low in so long. The leafs are just so unlucky. If that pick was in this year's draft, Boston would take Murray. And we would be saying that trade is looking good. Kessel is becoming an elite player, 82 points in 82 games with no number 1 center tells you how good he is.

I agree. You take the best talent available. Grigs or Faksa etc won't be in the NHL for 2 years. In 2 years you don't have phaneuf or gunnar (possibly). If rielly ends up a better version of liles in 3 years, then you trade liles. Its better to deal upgrade talent and trade from strength then draft a lesser talent by position. I dont see people's logic in being upset with the leafs draft
- Shteven

They are upset because they were not only expecting the pick to play this year in a position we need, they were also expecting that pick to solve all of our problems in that position overnight.

Sometimes, you just gotta hate those 'leaf fans'

I agree. You take the best talent available. Grigs or Faksa etc won't be in the NHL for 2 years. In 2 years you don't have phaneuf or gunnar (possibly). If rielly ends up a better version of liles in 3 years, then you trade liles. Its better to deal upgrade talent and trade from strength then draft a lesser talent by position. I dont see people's logic in being upset with the leafs draft
- Shteven

They are upset because Burke didn't make any trades. Personally I was hoping the Leafs take Grigorenko, but after reading about Reilly I like the pick. We have to wait and see how good it is, but Reilly looks like a future elite offensive d-man.

They are upset because they were not only expecting the pick to play this year in a position we need, they were also expecting that pick to solve all of our problems in that position overnight.

Sometimes, you just gotta hate those 'leaf fans'
- mfreedman

Agreed. None of the picks we pick at 5 were probably not going to play next year.

They are upset because Burke didn't make any trades. Personally I was hoping the Leafs take Grigorenko, but after reading about Reilly I like the pick. We have to wait and see how good it is, but Reilly looks like a future elite offensive d-man.
- Allstarzz

The opportunity to trade isn't over yet.. we have all summer

I liked the Morgan O pick but c'mon Burkie with the crap of "We would have picked him first if we had that first pick"... No way no how. Stop feeding us BS. I used to think he was always a pretty truthful stand up guy.. But that sounds to me like garbage..I like Finn too.. After that the others probably won't see the light of day.. Move out a couple of D for whatever at this point... Make room for Holzer please

I know we have Liles, Gardiner, and to a lesser extent Percy. And there is a chance we pick up Schultz who can move the puck. I like Finn as our second pick but we picked the exact same type of player with both our picks. I don't get what he is going for we have defensive depth.
- maverickJ

Yeah something's got to give.

Esp if we get Schultz.

Komi will be shown the door. Liles will get another couple years then step aside to let someone else take over.

At that point, Schenn will have either Established himself or be dealt. We'll have decided whether we keep Gunnarsson or Franson, but I doubt we stick iwth both unless Schenn gets moved.

Then there's Percy, Blacker, Finn, Holzer, Reilly.

Simply put, our Blueline's saturated. A move for a top 6 HAS to be coming soon, and even if he's not a centre, I wouldn't be surprised to see a Dman moving for Bobby Ryan

Agreed. None of the picks we pick at 5 were probably going to play next year.
- Allstarzz

Almost 0 chance. I'm sure if burke was around when we drafted schenn he wouldn't play either. He drafted Bobby Ryan second overall and only let him play 3 years later.

This is about bringing talent into the organization. Look at Tyler Biggs. he drafted a guy that doesn't have a high ceiling, but is easily projectable infront of plenty of people who could end up being much better players. He even traded 30 and 39 which could have been 2 players better than biggs to get percy, again an easily projectable guy. This is the first time he's gone high end talent and no one is happy.

The opportunity to trade isn't over yet.. we have all summer
- mfreedman

Yeah but a lot of leafs fans don't understand that. They expect Burke to fill all of our needs in one day. Wait until free agency starts, and see what trades Burke makes.

David Alter ‏@DavidAlter590

Burke says they could be close on a deal soon, Burk had talks at Philly and Nashville tables on day 2 #leafs. #SNDRAFT

Almost 0 chance. I'm sure if burke was around when we drafted schenn he wouldn't play either. He drafted Bobby Ryan second overall and only let him play 3 years later.

This is about bringing talent into the organization. Look at Tyler Biggs. he drafted a guy that doesn't have a high ceiling, but is easily projectable infront of plenty of people who could end up being much better players. He even traded 30 and 39 which could have been 2 players better than biggs to get percy, again an easily projectable guy. This is the first time he's gone high end talent and no one is happy.
- Shteven

Typo I meant to say none of them were probably going to play next year.

I liked the Morgan O pick but c'mon Burkie with the crap of "We would have picked him first if we had that first pick"... No way no how. Stop feeding us BS. I used to think he was always a pretty truthful stand up guy.. But that sounds to me like garbage..I like Finn too.. After that the others probably won't see the light of day.. Move out a couple of D for whatever at this point... Make room for Holzer please
- Popcorn Kid

I dont get why people don't believe him. Look at the options. He doesn't draft russians or like russians so that's yaku and grigs. Gal is of russian descent so take him out. so its murray or rielly, and rielly has a higher upside. He can be a 1 pp guy. Murray will at best be a number 2 guy. So why is it so unbelievable?

Yeah but a lot of leafs fans don't understand that. They expect Burke to fill all of our needs in one day. Wait until free agency starts, and see what trades Burke makes.
- Allstarzz

toronto has become an offseason hype town. Teams suck during the year, so the fans need excitement, look at the jays and darvish. same crap happened

[quote=Leafland]

Can't remember who tweeted that BB was in talks with Holmgrem, and this was before EK posted it.

I can't imagine who's involved, but if PHI isn't willing to move B. Schenn for Bobby Ryan, then they won't be moving him to the Leafs either. Take JVR out of the equation and you really have to wonder what all the fuss is about

i say we move some of our d to philly for Brayden Schenn not only could he add grit to our top six he would add skill as a top line center and i think he could seriously get Luke going... Imagine someone creams Lukes little brother... his mean streak sure comes out.

toronto has become an offseason hype town. Teams suck during the year, so the fans need excitement, look at the jays and darvish. same crap happened
- Shteven

It really is a frustrating time to be a Toronto sports fan. Raps, Jays, Leafs, every year we are going through the same thing. One can only hope things improve.

That's the thing though, if they truly believe Morgan Reilly is an absolute gem, if they believe he has 1D, Norris potential, which they clearly do if they had him rated so high, are they going to not pick him just because they have Liles, Gardiner, and Percy? None of these picks are going to play in the next couple of years anyway. A LOT can happen during that time.
- Zezel

Defensemen are always in demand, especially puckmovers. Burke is gaining assets. Assets can turn into other assets that fill other needs. Stockpiling at one position isn't necessarily a bad thing if you can turn that inventory into something that you need.....let's see what Burke can do with those assets moving forward.

They are upset because Burke didn't make any trades. Personally I was hoping the Leafs take Grigorenko, but after reading about Reilly I like the pick. We have to wait and see how good it is, but Reilly looks like a future elite offensive d-man.
- Allstarzz

I think grigorenko is a fine prospect. But we know that Gal and Yak were more talented so he was at best the third best fwd.

Rielly barring injury is the most talented defensemen. I think you have to draft the most talented guy possible. And he did

Can't remember who tweeted that BB was in talks with Holmgrem, and this was before EK posted it.

I can't imagine who's involved, but if PHI isn't willing to move B. Schenn for Bobby Ryan, then they won't be moving him to the Leafs either. Take JVR out of the equation and you really have to wonder what all the fuss is about
- AngryWhiteMale

I just wanted to post it because it was posted so many times in the last blog.

I think grigorenko is a fine prospect. But we know that Gal and Yak were more talented so he was at best the third best fwd.

Rielly barring injury is the most talented defensemen. I think you have to draft the most talented guy possible. And he did
- Shteven

Rielly = Gardiner+Doughty.

Can't remember who tweeted that BB was in talks with Holmgrem, and this was before EK posted it.

I can't imagine who's involved, but if PHI isn't willing to move B. Schenn for Bobby Ryan, then they won't be moving him to the Leafs either. Take JVR out of the equation and you really have to wonder what all the fuss is about
- AngryWhiteMale

I think Schenn is going to Philly. I just don't know what for yet...Maybe Simmonds?