Your Five Key Players Going Forward

[theIceWookie]

Kessel
Kadri
Bernier
Nylander
Rielly

Taking Kessel out of the top 5 is insane. You hold on tightly to a player like tht. Only leaf fans would consider not doing that...

I suspect without Kessel, JVR is not nearly as valuable. Kessel and kadri are the only two forward who have shown an ability to drive production. No one else.

 

[Liminality]

I was really high on Schenn in 2010, thought I posted in the other threads but must have been some sort of other variant.

2010
Schenn
Kessel
Kadri
Phaneuf

Gustavsson

Today I'll go with
Bernier
Kessel
JVR
Phaneuf
Rielly

This list is more about what the team does with these 5 players and not if I think they're the core to stick with or not.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

JVR
Kadri
Rielly
Nylander
Phaneuf

HM to 2015 First, Kessel, Connor Brown and Percy.

 

[shelf]

How are people choosing guys like Santorelli, Winnik, or Komarov over Kessel.

I guess a solid 30 games of possession numbers > one of the most consistent offensive players in the game.

 

[Steveei]

Nylander
Johnson
Brown
JVR
Percy

 

[Drew311]

Prospects like Nylander shouldn't be included considering we have no idea what type of NHL player he will be.

Bernier - #1 Goalie
Phaneuf - Top pairing defenseman
Kadri - Leafs best centre going forward
JVR - Leafs best bargain contract
Rielly - Potential top pairing defenseman

I'm amazed how many people don't have Phanuef on their lists. Sure his contract isn't great but there isn't anyone else in the organization who has shown that they are able to handle top pairing minutes on a regular basis in all situation against top competition. Rielly may get there one day but he's got a long way to go.

I think it would be in the Leafs best interest to trade Kessel for a boatload of young talent. I realize the majority of offense runs through him but I think the team needs to get more gritty and hard working, and Kessel is a horrible example of how a player should conduct himself on and off the ice. Although they would lose some offense, they would likely benefit more from a more balanced line up with a stronger work ethic. Plus the organization shouldn't be so concerned with offense, their major problem is keeping the puck out of their net.

 

[pucci2001]

Rielly
Kadri
Nylander
Bernier
Kessel, still. He is still too good of a talent to give up on, his window will still be open when the other names mentioned mature. Jvr hasn't proven he can shoulder any kind of load. When we need a goal I put out Kessel, Bozak, Kadri, Lupul all before him.

 

[pucci2001]

Prospects like Nylander shouldn't be included considering we have no idea what type of NHL player he will be.

Bernier - #1 Goalie
Phaneuf - Top pairing defenseman
Kadri - Leafs best centre going forward
JVR - Leafs best bargain contract
Rielly - Potential top pairing defenseman

I'm amazed how many people don't have Phanuef on their lists. Sure his contract isn't great but there isn't anyone else in the organization who has shown that they are able to handle top pairing minutes on a regular basis in all situation against top competition. Rielly may get there one day but he's got a long way to go.

I think it would be in the Leafs best interest to trade Kessel for a boatload of young talent. I realize the majority of offense runs through him but I think the team needs to get more gritty and hard working, and Kessel is a horrible example of how a player should conduct himself on and off the ice. Although they would lose some offense, they would likely benefit more from a more balanced line up with a stronger work ethic. Plus the organization shouldn't be so concerned with offense, their major problem is keeping the puck out of their net.

Dion hasn't exactly excelled at the role you are saying he plays. Rielly will be our #1 dman before Dion ever actually plays like one because simply put Dion isn't ever going to be a number 1 guy and he is getting older and might pass his prime by the time this team is a contender(in 2-3 years, hopefully).

 

[Trapper]

What do you mean by going forward?
If you plan to win the Cup in the next 5 years you put Kessel/Phaneuf on the list.
If you don't think you can win a Cup with Kessel/Phaneuf in the next 5 years you move them for a new top 5 list.
Rielly (everyone agrees)
Bernier (everyone agrees)
Kadri (I think everyone agrees)
This list is missing a no. 1 C and D. Wingers last. My core is 2 centers, 2 defense and 1 goalie.

 

[Mindrust]

How are people choosing guys like Santorelli, Winnik, or Komarov over Kessel.

I guess a solid 30 games of possession numbers > one of the most consistent offensive players in the game.

It's more like strong, tough, 2-way play > one of the weakest players in the game, if not THE weakest, who also lets in more than he scores.

Kessel was picked last in the all-star game for a reason. You don't get respect by being a wimp.

 

[ChickenMcNugget]

It's more like strong, tough, 2-way play > one of the weakest players in the game, if not THE weakest, who also lets in more than he scores.

Kessel was picked last in the all-star game for a reason. You don't get respect by being a wimp.

oh okay.. since when did getting into an all star team become a bad thing haha

my top 5 would be:

Rielly
Kessel
Kadri
Bernier
Phaneuf (i'm not sure if he's the greatest but he's the 5th best among what we got)

Nylander doesn't deserve the spot. the guy hasn't even got a game in the NHL, not wise to have such high expectations for him yet.

 

[DD03]

Rielly
Bernier
Kessel
Franson
Kadri

 

[Yulquen]

Nylander
Rielly
Bernier
Kadri
JVR

 

[LV*]

Nylander
Rielly
Kadri
Kessel
JvR

 

[-DeMo-]

you know your teams not very good when most of the people are picking prospects or role players as one of there top 5 to keep.

 

[Judas Tavares]

To clarify, I basically mean, if for some reason you had to strip down the franchise to five players. Which five would you least likely trade. I say franchise and not team to include prospects, making this a tougher exercise. In my first installment, Kadri was still a prospect.

 

[thewave]

Excluding prospects.

Bernier
Kessel
JVR
Kadri
Rielly
--------
Dion
Lupul (Reimer)
Komarov
Franson
Holland
---------
Panik
Gardiner
Santorelli
Winnik
Bozak
---------
Robidas
Polak
Holzer
Clarkson
Smith
Booth

 

[Byron Bitz]

you guys can go ahead and leave kessel off your lists, thats fine, hes just gonna keep finishing in the top 10 of league points year after year while never getting injured.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

2011

kessel
phaneuf
reimer
grabovski
gardiner

2013

My post in 2011.



I'd switch out Grabovski for Kadri now.

Kadri
Kessel
Phaneuf
Reimer
Gardiner

Today, my list would be

Rielly
Kadri
Nylander
Bernier
JVR/Gardiner

Couldn't decide who I'd have for fifth. Both JVR and Gardiner are flawed but talented, and have the potential to work their ways out of their inconsistent play and play at a level we've all seen they're capable of. Past guys I listed I couldn't care less if they were traded. Faith in the core isn't there anymore.

 

[Mindrust]

oh okay.. since when did getting into an all star team become a bad thing haha

When you're 2nd in the league in scoring over the last few seasons, and you get picked dead last in the all-star game, you can bet your ass it's a bad thing.

you guys can go ahead and leave kessel off your lists, thats fine, hes just gonna keep finishing in the top 10 of league points year after year while never getting injured.

You CAN'T get injured if you constantly avoid contact like a wimp.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Kessel
Bernier
Rielly
JVR
Nylander

Bozak and Kadri aren't there yet Bozak has NEVER been this good and I got to see him do it not only this year but next year.

Kadri is in a contract year and that makes me leary.

Now Bernier is to and he is on my list but that's because he is repeating what hee did last year where as this is a CLEARLY new level for Kadri

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I'll go with.

Bernier. Definitely should be our top goalie for years to come.

Rielly. A top pairing guy to move the puck. Should continue developing for years yet. How high his ceiling is crazy exciting.

Kadri. A player that is so ideally setting himself up as our top shutdown and scoring center of the future. I would think a Selke trophy would be a nice personal goal for him to shoot for in the future.

Nylander. Skill and speed. Who knows how good he is going to be. I would see him as a Player that could turn us into a team with the 2 most skilled small centers in the league.

Connor Brown. Leading the Marlies in scoring and looks to be a top 6 forward of the future. Seems like a steal pick the he is developing.

I like the skill of them 5 players as a starting group to develop. This team is getting there. We need some players with elite 2 way ability and scoring in the system going forward. I have to plug Gauthier ad a player I see playing Third line center for us as have to mention.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I'll go with.

Bernier. Definitely should be our top goalie for years to come.

Rielly. A top pairing guy to move the puck. Should continue developing for years yet. How high his ceiling is crazy exciting.

Kadri. A player that is so ideally setting himself up as our top shutdown and scoring center of the future. I would think a Selke trophy would be a nice personal goal for him to shoot for in the future.

Nylander. Skill and speed. Who knows how good he is going to be. I would see him as a Player that could turn us into a team with the 2 most skilled small centers in the league.

Connor Brown. Leading the Marlies in scoring and looks to be a top 6 forward of the future. Seems like a steal pick the he is developing.

I like the skill of them 5 players as a starting group to develop. This team is getting there. We need some players with elite 2 way ability and scoring in the system going forward. I have to plug Gauthier ad a player I see playing Third line center for us as have to mention.

No JVR?

 

[Durkin67]

No JVR?

I avoid putting prospects on this list. We don't know how they will manage the pressures of this environment

 

[Porn*]

too many players are significant to the team going forward. many factors to take into acct; salary, trades, potential, development, etc...