2024 Draft Thread

Fogelhund

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Sep 15, 2007
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Can we trade him? Don't they screw themselves with NMC so they can float through playoffs?
It is extremely doubtful that any of our top guys would ever waive their NMC's for now, and it's extremely doubtful that our management would ask. Theoretically, that is what it would cost to move to #5, as we really don't have premium assets otherwise.

It's a nice thought to want a top 5 draft pick, but it just won't happen.
 

darrylsittler27

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Oct 21, 2002
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It is extremely doubtful that any of our top guys would ever waive their NMC's for now, and it's extremely doubtful that our management would ask. Theoretically, that is what it would cost to move to #5, as we really don't have premium assets otherwise.

It's a nice thought to want a top 5 draft pick, but it just won't happen.
Like it or not Marner is worth more than a top 5 pick. So, no I never thought that. Even when we trade Marner we need a package and one of those players must be ready next year. But if the Leafs flounder we need to recognize that the appetite for overpaying 3rd line fringe playoff players like Marner will wane. The Leafs fans have to stop accepting losing as an excuse to overpay reg. season but dont like the playoffs guys. If we lose first round Tavares and Marner are the most likely to be sprung. We often forget no team in pro sports can lose like the Leafs do and keep pretending forever.
 
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Fogelhund

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Sep 15, 2007
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Like it or not Marner is worth more than a top 5 pick. So, no I never thought that. Even when we trade Marner we need a package and one of those players must be ready next year. But if the Leafs flounder we need to recognize that the appetite for overpaying 3rd line fringe playoff players like Marner will wane. The Leafs fans have to stop accepting losing as an excuse to overpay reg. season but dont like the playoffs guys. If we lose first round Tavares and Marner are the most likely to be sprung. We often forget no team in pro sports can lose like the Leafs do and keep pretending forever.
And you expect to be taken seriously?
 

francis246

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Nov 16, 2007
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and sometime that upside is a big dman, with strong skating and defensive skills. Hunter picked low upside guys, mostly in later rounds. Consensus first round picks are there for a reason, because they have NHL upside. Emery and Elick are both a consensus late first round pick, because scouts believe that they have a high upside.... not offensively, but in other parts of their game.

Emery to me reminds me a lot of K’Andre Miller. Will need time to develop but he’s so mobile at 6’3. He just needs to learn how to handle the puck and make a first pass. But he’s a decent player.
 
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darrylsittler27

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Oct 21, 2002
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Which is still so far from the truth it’s ridiculous. 0.94 PPG is hardly 3rd line production. Have they met expectations, absolutely not… but third line… it’s unsmart.
As you are about to witness, you don't win cups with players like Marner.
 

IceColdBear

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Apr 5, 2016
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We have a 1st, a 3rd, three 5ths, and two 7ths in this draft at the moment.

We really, really need to hit on that 1st and 3rd, given we have basically no picks in 2025.

Biggest need is definitely D, we really only have two D prospects of note in our system, Niemela and Villenueve. Obviously you don't draft for need, but hopefully there are some good D available when we pick.
 

Sypher04

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Jan 20, 2011
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We have a 1st, a 3rd, three 5ths, and two 7ths in this draft at the moment.

We really, really need to hit on that 1st and 3rd, given we have basically no picks in 2025.

Biggest need is definitely D, we really only have two D prospects of note in our system, Niemela and Villenueve. Obviously you don't draft for need, but hopefully there are some good D available when we pick.

Drafting a D this june in all likelihood does nothing at all for this core of players in trying to win a cup the next 4-5 years.

If I’m being honest, I still fully expect the pick will be traded. The best we can hope for as I see it is that it is spent wisely. This team needs significant additions on the backend most notably, and while UFAs are fun to consider 1) odds are most of them will not make it to July 1st and 2) a cap strapped is pretty unlikely to be able to significantly remodel their blueline in UFA. The nature of UFA prices, the significant rise of the cap expected to come in short order, the age of and scarcity of quality top 4 defenders being sought after - none of that works in our favor in the open market with our cap being so squeezed next season.
 
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SprDaVE

Moderator
Sep 20, 2008
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We have a 1st, a 3rd, three 5ths, and two 7ths in this draft at the moment.

We really, really need to hit on that 1st and 3rd, given we have basically no picks in 2025.

Biggest need is definitely D, we really only have two D prospects of note in our system, Niemela and Villenueve. Obviously you don't draft for need, but hopefully there are some good D available when we pick.

The Leafs don't have a 3rd this draft. They have a 1st, 4th, 3x5th and 2x7th.
 

Donnie740

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May 28, 2021
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With that late first: Ryder Ritchie (RW) or Beckett Sennecke (RW)

Sennecke was badly underutilizied in the first half of the season - - rarely saw PP time and was playing on the 3rd line for a while. He started getting more ice time and moved up to the 1st/2nd line after Christmas and that’s when Oshawa suddenly went from being near the bottom of the conference to the top of the conference.

Sennecke is an outstanding skater with tremendous stick handling ability. More importantly, he plays with a bit of an edge and doesn’t shy away from forechecking or getting physical in the corners.

He’s still an under-the-radar prospect at this point but if Oshawa goes on an extended playoff run, people are suddenly going to realize the talent level that he has.

Having seen him play several dozen times over the past two years, I can tell you he’s definitely a top six forward at the NHL level.
 

darrylsittler27

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Oct 21, 2002
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Actually we need C as well. The Leafs have always held to the draft wingers and win cups model. If Mathews ever gets injured the franchise implodes and C do develop quicker. I doubt Villeneuve ever amounts to much. It's amazing with no picks next year it's almost as if a complete amateur was GM before.
We have a 1st, a 3rd, three 5ths, and two 7ths in this draft at the moment.

We really, really need to hit on that 1st and 3rd, given we have basically no picks in 2025.

Biggest need is definitely D, we really only have two D prospects of note in our system, Niemela and Villenueve. Obviously you don't draft for need, but hopefully there are some good D available when we pick.
 

sxvnert

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Nov 23, 2015
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Actually we need C as well. The Leafs have always held to the draft wingers and win cups model. If Mathews ever gets injured the franchise implodes and C do develop quicker. I doubt Villeneuve ever amounts to much. It's amazing with no picks next year it's almost as if a complete amateur was GM before.
Unfortunately when you look at the top 20-30 centers points wise, most are top 5-10 picks. Leafs probably have a better chance overpaying a 25-27yr old UFA star center whos available to keep the run going. Otherwise its trade for a high pick or complete rebuild.
 

WTFMAN99

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Jun 17, 2009
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Unfortunately when you look at the top 20-30 centers points wise, most are top 5-10 picks. Leafs probably have a better chance overpaying a 25-27yr old UFA star center whos available to keep the run going. Otherwise its trade for a high pick or complete rebuild.

Probably after the Matthews contract, we're likely going to be wondering if we're going to be rebuilding.

It's hard to do those right, playoff success unfortunately hasn't been there but our rebuild was a lot more successful than say, Buffalo, just never could get it going.
 
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sxvnert

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Nov 23, 2015
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Probably after the Matthews contract, we're likely going to be wondering if we're going to be rebuilding.

It's hard to do those right, playoff success unfortunately hasn't been there but our rebuild was a lot more successful than say, Buffalo, just never could get it going.
IMO the difference between the leafs vs Sens/Sabres/Wings/Devils was goaltending.

Starting in 06/07 (post Belfour) it was Raycroft, Toskala, Reimer, Bernier. No playoffs (other than the shortened season). Then in Babcock year #2 (16/17) they acquired Frederik Andersen and never looked back.

For some odd reason these rebuilding teams are dumb enough to wait around for a drafted goalie to develop and/or sign/trade for goaltenders on the cheap.
 

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