As ever, the Leafs present the most difficulty. They’re too good to tear down, and not good enough to win a Cup. They may yet have to rise before they can fall, and that’s a nearly impossible narrative to explain in the present. We’ll get our earliest signals mid-season, if the expiring contracts of Dion Phaneuf and/or Phil Kessel are shipped elsewhere.
His name is Cathal Kelly, he usually only covers NBA, and TFC. What a horrible article.
Kelly has ventured the same path as Feschuk, all of a sudden covering hockey for some unknown reason. And becoming extremely irritating all the while.
The Leafs should continue to build through the draft, but that comes through good scouting and nailing their picks whatever the position. The days of the Leafs bottoming out and finishing top 3-5 are over.
So how is Edmonton doing with all those first overall picks. Were they in the Finals last year?
You can draft within top 5 but you have to have good scouting regardless of position as you pointed out. Just look towards teams like Columbus ,Atlanta etc that have been lousy for years and don't have a dynasty of a team because they drafted high . People need to realize that there are different ways to build a good contending team , its not all about drafting 21 1st overalls like people assume on this board. You need a nice blend of UFA's/trades and drafted players.Kelly has ventured the same path as Feschuk, all of a sudden covering hockey for some unknown reason. And becoming extremely irritating all the while.
The Leafs should continue to build through the draft, but that comes through good scouting and nailing their picks whatever the position. The days of the Leafs bottoming out and finishing top 3-5 are over.
they will be soon.
When your core is made of weak 20-22 year olds you can't compete with old men.
If we had Hall, NH, eberle and kessel with our defence (oilers are stupid and never draft defence) we would have won a couple rounds this season.
It's this type of mentality as to why the Leafs keep losing.
Make $$$, but who cares how the team does.
The article is completely right in saying that the way to win a championship is through a commited rebuild. ESPECIALLY in the NBA. The raptors need to tank for three or four years. Plain and simple. As for the NHL, the leafs can't turn around now. They have to run with this core for the foreseeable future and hope things turn out. If it doesn't though, then they serious had better figure it out this time.