Quote:
Originally Posted by johnny_rudeboy
I have to disagree with you there. Of course it is better if we can hit the jackpot in a draft and find a first pairing d-man, starting goalie or first liner. And I do want us to take a chance on projects as well who have a high chance to be a bust but if they make it improve our team.
But going for players who have a high possibility of becoming NHL:ers even in minor roles is also something we should aim to do. First of all it is always fun to see a young guy progress within the system and finally end up playing a part on the team even if it is as 3rd pairing d-man. And it also save us money seeing as it is cheaper, easier to get a few bonus years after their ELC is up then it is to sign depth guys from free agency.
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The Leafs have never had a problem drafting ordinary minor role NHLers, the issue now is if you want a total rebuild, you need the scouting staff to deliver above and beyond the standard so-so results.
Over the past ten years we've had guys like Stralman, Colaiacovo, White, Harrison, Mitchell, Tlusty, Kulemin, Gunnarsson, Stalberg, Bell, Reimer, Stajan all come up and be decent NHL citizens, but every team produces players like this and when you spend five plus years waiting on Blacker and Ryan level prospects you're not going anywhere.
We need to be pulling those Marchand, Lucic, Edler, Zetterberg, Datsyuk level steals AND hitting on our top five picks AND make good trades in order to dig ourselves out of this awful mess. When MLSE is spending so much money on management and scouting, these are the results they should be demanding of Morrison and company. Not happy that our veteran laden Marlies team is contending for championships.