hockeywiz542
Registered User
- May 26, 2008
- 15,920
- 4,990
http://www.torontosun.com/2013/02/01/leafs-all-traded-first-round-all-stars
Here a starting six comprised of the Leafs’ lost generation:
Goal
Roberto Luongo
Leaf connection: This pick was traded to the Islanders in 1997 when Leafs ownership started getting misty-eyed about Wendel Clark. Cliff Fletcher undid some of his good work in the Mats Sundin trade by packing Kenny Jonsson, Darby Hendrickson, junior Sean Haggerty and this first-rounder for Clark, Mathieu Schneider and D.J. Smith. The Isles took Luongo fourth overall.
Defence
Scott Niedermayer
Leaf connection: Opening the 1989-90 season with a 1-5 record and 37 goals against, GM Floyd Smith hit the panic button. He grabbed veteran defenceman Tom Kurvers, a member of the 1986 Cup champion Canadiens, from New Jersey. The price would not have to be paid until two years down the road when Smith obviously thought the Leafs would be higher in the standings.
But the team spent all of the 1990-91 sweating that Jersey would end up with Eric Lindros. The Leafs avoided the cellar, but lost on Niedermayer third overall.
Defence
Darius Kasparaitis
Leaf connection: The Isles wanted to move up in the ’92 draft, while Fletcher didn’t want to fall too far and miss for a creative centre Brandon Convery. Toronto took the gamble Convery would still be there at eighth spot and also came away with feisty forward Grant Marshall. But neither made much impact, while the abrasive and colourful Lithuanian played close to 1,000 regular season and playoff games on defence.
Forward
Dainius Zubrus
Leaf connection: Toronto gave the Flyers a first- and second-rounder as part of the package for defenceman Dmitry Yushkevich from the Flyers. Missing a Kasparaitis-type player to keep foes honest crossing the blueline, the Leafs did well by Yushkevich for years. But long after he was forced to curtail his NHL career because of blood clots and later ended his playing days in the KHL, Zubrus is still going strong at age 34.
Forward
Tyler Seguin
Leaf connection: The book on the Phil Kessel trade is far from closed. But Leafs scouts had to put on a brave face for TV at the 2010 draft when Boston called Seguin’s name second-overall after the team’s unexpected crash and burn. Kessel’s awkward exit from Boston and his discomfort in the Toronto spotlight contrasted with Seguin’s appeal as the Bruins were taking off.
Forward
Lars Eller
Leaf connection: GM John Ferguson’s attempt to improve goaltending and get some toughness in the lineup led to a big 2007 trade with San Jose for Vesa Toskala and winger Mark Bell. Ferguson had a strong scouting background and knew the pitfalls of Toronto giving up yet another high pick. But there was also pressure to make the playoffs. The Sharks moved the pick to the Blues who selected the big Danish-born forward.