achtungbaby
Registered User
- Oct 31, 2006
- 4,792
- 25
Leafs have made significant improvement in the prospect pool since Shanny has arrived without question as he inherited a bottom 5 one from previous management.
Even last year with Nylander and the 2014 draft class the Hockey News ranking based on polling 10 NHL amateur scouts and execs blended opinions ranked the Leafs 27th overall in the Future Watch Edition (April 2015).
Adding Marner, Dermott, Bracco in the draft and Kapanen and Harrington in trade (Kessel) will boost that team ranking up.
Pronman's #2 Leafs ranking moving up from his previous #17 ranking seems done more for shock and awe purposes, to draw and increase viewership to himself and ESPN, by his list based on Leaf Nation size. This ESPN insider report is behind a paywall and so catering to the biggest fan base is for a not so hidden agenda to increase customers to their site.
How can teams like Buffalo and Winnipeg previously ranked top 5 get passed by the Leafs, particularly Sabres by adding Eichel and Jets adding 2 X top 25 picks 1st round picks in the draft to a ranking that was already near the very top?.
Agreed. It's nice and all, but it doesn't seem to make sense.