Reality time, this team won't win the cup this year and JVR's value will be skyhigh. He could put some teams into the playoffs and who knows ? Everyone is saying we can't trade him... not now, I say. Nylander and Marner are in a sophmore funk and Mathews isn't 100 percent for a while. Do you see this team in the semi's ? Meh... We won't beat Tampa or Pitts and we still haven't gotten past Washington or even Boston. If something nice comes along, this team better look at it. We got drunk on the parade chatter. I see this team finishing about 10th-12th overall and JVR wont lift us into the semi's. The build isn't over and we are a major piece(top Dman) or two away(PForward with impact). That's right, in a strong draft I'm looking at 15th overall pick for JVR by TD and I'm running. This team needs to win a round before I'm selling the farm for a Karlson type guy and the PF we will still need to draft, most likely. I'm so happy another vet is having a career year right before $$$$$ days again! Sell high.
We cant beat Pittsburgh???? We just did. We can beat Washington? I thought we have already. We haven't even played TB yet. And are you seriously putting Boston at the same level as the Leafs?
I'm not on the parade chatter but reality is the Leafs will finish top 5 in the league. Even with all the deficiencies you point out. Nylander and Marner are not in a sophomore slump but more so being misused. They are not being used anything close to what they were last season and are still on the same pace of points as last season.
I agree on a couple of things. Matthews is worrisome with these mysterious injuries and long stretches off. And I agree that we are not complete in regards to our lineup.
But I do not think that you are correct in your projections as to where they stand. The Leafs on any given night can skate and play with anyone. They can beat anyone any given night. As the playoffs proved last season, the Leafs kept up with Washington and for that they will be better prepared this season.
All this chatter that you speak of that is bogus, is the chatter that we don't have the right to be high on this team. This team although not perfect is more closer then you think. And JVR will be part of this short term and long term. No need to trade a PForward that isn't exactly old by any stretch so we can draft another.
Do you understand drafting another means waiting on development??? Development on power forwards isn't instant and by the time they develop we lose out on the edge we currently have with JVR in our lineup who is proven and already developed at a young age.