...we have a trade to announce.
Posted 8:49 PM ET | Comments 9
Looking at the upcoming draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot to look forward to.
First off, a GM is needed for this team before any of the fireworks can begin. Who that GM will be at this point remains a mystery, but sure as the day is long, Shanahan will more than likely have one in place by the time draft day rolls around.
Next up, the coach. At this stage in the game, who the coach may be is in my opinion, something that won't even be questioned until after the draft is completed. The way I see it, Toronto's best bet is to wait to hire a new coach until they know what they have, and also who they don't have once all the smoke has cleared from what is expected to be a busy summer of trades.
Enter draft day. And for the first time in many years as a Leafs fan, I am looking forward to this day more than the opening of free agency in July.
With all the question marks surrounding who will stay and who will go, I think we Maple Leafs fans should start saying goodbye to:
1) Phil Kessel. Here's a guy who has been lights out, without a legit # 1 centre to feed him the puck. Kessel's hands and speed are nothing short of fantastic and on a team with a true top shelf centre, he will shine. Detractors will undoubtedly point out Kessel's defensive shortcomings and this seasons meltdown, but one season does not a career make. What he does in the offensive zone is a very rare thing to find in the NHL and once Toronto really starts putting his name out there, the phone will ring off the hook.
What's the return? Equal value is going to be hard to come by so I say look for the Leafs to be bold in their pursuit of a top prospect and high draft picks. Don't count on anything from the 2015 draft class in terms of picks in the return for the sniper, 2016-2017 first rounders will be the first offered up.
2) Dion Phaneuf. Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs that blew game 7 against the Bruins, Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs that led the team to one of the most worst regular season collapses in its long history, Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs who is a number four defenseman playing number one minutes. You get where I'm going with this. Phaneuf is a shadow of his former self when he first came into the league. Toronto had high hopes when he was aquired by Brian Burke but he has never lived up to the hype and never will.
What's the return? Do Toronto fans really care at this point or do they simply want Phanuef in another city. Look to Toronto and Detroit to revisit their talks or for Edmonton to pick up the phone to bring the Albertan back to his home town. If Edmonton and Toronto get involved with one another, I would say we're looking at a fairly large deal. Toronto will undoubtedly try to acquire one of the plethora of young centres in Edmonton's system and Edmonton would want other pieces like Bozak, Kadri or the inexpensive Holland.
3) Tyler Bozak. Coming off an 82 game season where he tied a career high in points, Bozak is someone I see as being pursued quite heavily by teams that already have a number one centre. Bozak is a perfect #2 or #3 centre. He's still relatively young too which makes him fairly attractive for teams not looking for an older veteran but someone who also has six seasons under his belt. The contract is fairly reasonable as well for both the purposes of staying under the cap or even reaching the cap floor.
What's the return. Not much. 2nd or third rounders in future drafts and or prospects. A player of Bozak's ilk is not going to command more on the trade market simply because he played on the top line.
4) Joffrey Lupul. I'm reminded of the line from M. Night Shahmalan's Unbreakable, "They call me Mr. Glass" when I think of Joffrey. This poor guys has seen the inside of hospital walls more than the doctors that work there. With a player as injury prone as this guy, few teams will want him or his contract.
What's the return? Again, little to nothing. 5th to 7th round picks and or a depth roster player. I doubt any team will give up any kind of decent prospect for him and the player coming back will more than likely be a journeyman NHL'er. The only way the Leafs get any decent return for Joffrey is taking back a contract worse than his.
The rest of the team is up in the air in terms of staying or going. If good offers come, i'm positive the future GM of the Leafs will listen. The one thing that I hope for is that most of the trades come during draft day, just so that I can enjoy it that much more when I get to remove Phaneuf's name from the back of jersey.
Thanks for reading all!
First off, a GM is needed for this team before any of the fireworks can begin. Who that GM will be at this point remains a mystery, but sure as the day is long, Shanahan will more than likely have one in place by the time draft day rolls around.
Next up, the coach. At this stage in the game, who the coach may be is in my opinion, something that won't even be questioned until after the draft is completed. The way I see it, Toronto's best bet is to wait to hire a new coach until they know what they have, and also who they don't have once all the smoke has cleared from what is expected to be a busy summer of trades.
Enter draft day. And for the first time in many years as a Leafs fan, I am looking forward to this day more than the opening of free agency in July.
With all the question marks surrounding who will stay and who will go, I think we Maple Leafs fans should start saying goodbye to:
1) Phil Kessel. Here's a guy who has been lights out, without a legit # 1 centre to feed him the puck. Kessel's hands and speed are nothing short of fantastic and on a team with a true top shelf centre, he will shine. Detractors will undoubtedly point out Kessel's defensive shortcomings and this seasons meltdown, but one season does not a career make. What he does in the offensive zone is a very rare thing to find in the NHL and once Toronto really starts putting his name out there, the phone will ring off the hook.
What's the return? Equal value is going to be hard to come by so I say look for the Leafs to be bold in their pursuit of a top prospect and high draft picks. Don't count on anything from the 2015 draft class in terms of picks in the return for the sniper, 2016-2017 first rounders will be the first offered up.
2) Dion Phaneuf. Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs that blew game 7 against the Bruins, Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs that led the team to one of the most worst regular season collapses in its long history, Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs who is a number four defenseman playing number one minutes. You get where I'm going with this. Phaneuf is a shadow of his former self when he first came into the league. Toronto had high hopes when he was aquired by Brian Burke but he has never lived up to the hype and never will.
What's the return? Do Toronto fans really care at this point or do they simply want Phanuef in another city. Look to Toronto and Detroit to revisit their talks or for Edmonton to pick up the phone to bring the Albertan back to his home town. If Edmonton and Toronto get involved with one another, I would say we're looking at a fairly large deal. Toronto will undoubtedly try to acquire one of the plethora of young centres in Edmonton's system and Edmonton would want other pieces like Bozak, Kadri or the inexpensive Holland.
3) Tyler Bozak. Coming off an 82 game season where he tied a career high in points, Bozak is someone I see as being pursued quite heavily by teams that already have a number one centre. Bozak is a perfect #2 or #3 centre. He's still relatively young too which makes him fairly attractive for teams not looking for an older veteran but someone who also has six seasons under his belt. The contract is fairly reasonable as well for both the purposes of staying under the cap or even reaching the cap floor.
What's the return. Not much. 2nd or third rounders in future drafts and or prospects. A player of Bozak's ilk is not going to command more on the trade market simply because he played on the top line.
4) Joffrey Lupul. I'm reminded of the line from M. Night Shahmalan's Unbreakable, "They call me Mr. Glass" when I think of Joffrey. This poor guys has seen the inside of hospital walls more than the doctors that work there. With a player as injury prone as this guy, few teams will want him or his contract.
What's the return? Again, little to nothing. 5th to 7th round picks and or a depth roster player. I doubt any team will give up any kind of decent prospect for him and the player coming back will more than likely be a journeyman NHL'er. The only way the Leafs get any decent return for Joffrey is taking back a contract worse than his.
The rest of the team is up in the air in terms of staying or going. If good offers come, i'm positive the future GM of the Leafs will listen. The one thing that I hope for is that most of the trades come during draft day, just so that I can enjoy it that much more when I get to remove Phaneuf's name from the back of jersey.
Thanks for reading all!
The delusions of laffs fans continue...god this is bad.
Omg Iggy just stfu and f-off,your a freakin oilers fan that trolls the leafs posts every single day..Like seriously who the hell are u to bash on the leafs for anything..Your oilers are worse and they have what 4 or 5 top picks on their team.Were just entering a rebuild uve been in it for what 10 yrs lmfao..Seriously dude just stfu ur opinion means nothing to any leaf fan anywhere..You want to bash a team for doing shitty i suggest u switch from being a Oilers fan to a team that actually knows how to finish outa the bottom 5 for a yr or so..Lmao
Lol. Laffs fans...idiots.
HaHaHa @ you...Such a mindless tard u are ....
CAN WE TRADE YOU? PIECE OF SHIT!
HAH! This is pretty fucking terrible.
Jeses Aleafsfan4ever.....do you honestly believe the Leafs rebuild is just starting? your team team has been horrible for just as long save 1 flukey short season playoff berth. who you cheer for matters little, you stand alone as a total moron.
enough already or it`s the gas chambers for ya!
Leafs fans post the dumbest shit. Man you are truly pathetic.