Toronto Rebuilding Like Chicago, In Total Reverse
Posted 11:18 AM ET | Comments 12
So I was taking a look at the success the Chicago Blackhawks have enjoyed over the last several years in what no one else could describe as anything but a dynasty with three championships won since 2010.
When I went over their draft history, I could not believe the amount of defensemen they had been bringing into their organization.
Stud after stud beginning in 2002 with Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Dustin Byfuglien in 2003, Cam Barker in 2004, and Niklas Hjalmarsson in 2005. But, it wasn't until 2006 when they drafted Jonathan Toews third overall that they finally started looking at forwards and then landed their ace in Patrick Kane in 2007.
Did I mention they drafted Corey Crawford in 2003?
So clearly this was a team built from the back end forward.
That's when I started wondering about how the Maple Leafs have been faring with their rebuild.
Comparing what Toronto has done during the Shanaplan era (Morgan Reilly doesn't count, Burkie drafted him) Brendan and his group have done nothing but bring in dynamic forwards to start. Beginning with William Nylander in 2014, Mitch Marner in 2015 and their newest stud Auston Matthews in 2016.
Now that the Maple Leafs have brought in three high end forward prospects, now it's time to concentrate on defensemen right? Yep! Enter Nikita Zaitsev.
Toronto signed the right handed shooting d-man out of the KHL on a one year deal for peanuts, and seeing how well he played during the World Cup, it looks like Toronto has found a top four defensemen that can handle big minutes and contribute offensively having contributed 95 points in 317 games in the KHL over the last seven seasons.
With all of these players having made the team out of training camp, I would be willing to bet that the first player Mark Hunter and his group target in the 2017 draft will be a defensemen in the 6'3"- 6'10", 210lbs - 230lbs range.
At any rate, comparing Toronto's rebuild to Chicago's is obviously not an exact science, but the Maple Leafs are clearly doing what the Blackhawks did by building from the ground up, just in total reverse front end backward.
When I went over their draft history, I could not believe the amount of defensemen they had been bringing into their organization.
Stud after stud beginning in 2002 with Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Dustin Byfuglien in 2003, Cam Barker in 2004, and Niklas Hjalmarsson in 2005. But, it wasn't until 2006 when they drafted Jonathan Toews third overall that they finally started looking at forwards and then landed their ace in Patrick Kane in 2007.
Did I mention they drafted Corey Crawford in 2003?
So clearly this was a team built from the back end forward.
That's when I started wondering about how the Maple Leafs have been faring with their rebuild.
Comparing what Toronto has done during the Shanaplan era (Morgan Reilly doesn't count, Burkie drafted him) Brendan and his group have done nothing but bring in dynamic forwards to start. Beginning with William Nylander in 2014, Mitch Marner in 2015 and their newest stud Auston Matthews in 2016.
Now that the Maple Leafs have brought in three high end forward prospects, now it's time to concentrate on defensemen right? Yep! Enter Nikita Zaitsev.
Toronto signed the right handed shooting d-man out of the KHL on a one year deal for peanuts, and seeing how well he played during the World Cup, it looks like Toronto has found a top four defensemen that can handle big minutes and contribute offensively having contributed 95 points in 317 games in the KHL over the last seven seasons.
With all of these players having made the team out of training camp, I would be willing to bet that the first player Mark Hunter and his group target in the 2017 draft will be a defensemen in the 6'3"- 6'10", 210lbs - 230lbs range.
At any rate, comparing Toronto's rebuild to Chicago's is obviously not an exact science, but the Maple Leafs are clearly doing what the Blackhawks did by building from the ground up, just in total reverse front end backward.
This only illustrates my point. This was broadcast about 8 hours after I wrote this. Thank you for agreeing with me Mr. Biron.http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/comparing-the-leafs-rebuild-to-other-organizations~969739
Uhhh…you know they acquired Zaitsev, carrick, marincinin
Uhhh…you know they acquired Zaitsev, carrick, marincinin
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Need to add a top guy via FA or trade, and there should be solid top 6 in there.
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what the fuck is with this site. what a piece of shit
This is nonsense
Junk website
Keith was a second round pick who took 3 years to get the show and byfuglien was an 8th round pick who took 5 years. Leafs have drafted a ton of dmen the last two year. 8 to be exact. Dermott and Nielsen in the 2nd and the 3rd who already look promising. They also traded for carrick and Marincin. Claimed Corrado off the waiver wire and signed Ufa d zaitsev. This blog is complete uneducated non sense
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