ULF_55
Moderator
I was thrilled with the pick. I thought it might be a steal.
With regards to Bracco, perhaps the lack of playing time last year and then comparing to other players has mitigated the excitement.
If you look at some of the other prospects the Leafs have had recently, Marner, Matthews, Nylander, Kapanen PPG as a 20 year old (Button even wrote him off while do this) many of the prospects might look less than they would normally.
Could even be a continuation of the 32 points in 30 games after being traded his final junior season. Not many people are high on juniors who are just over PGP in their senior year. Perhaps there was some thought that his time in Kitchener was just a great opportunity, and wasn't reflective of what he could do after his less than impressive (statistically) end of season stint in Windsor. But Windsor wasn't a high scoring team and Bracco had around the 3rd. best PPG on their team even after making the adjustment/move.
If he can be, at 21, a PPG player in the AHL, it is a great result.
He's in the top 15 for AHL scoring, although that is misleading as many who have a better PPG have been promoted to the NHL.
I'd say the biggest question mark with regards to his future is what can he bring to the Leafs, that the Leafs need that wouldn't be better filled by a different skillset?
If Marleau retired would he be a candidate to replace him, or would Babcock be looking for a different skillset?
A PPG Bracco is a strong asset for the Leafs.
RW: Marner, Nylander, Kapanen, Brown, Bracco
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Grundstrom/Engvall-Kadri-Kapanen
Moore-Gauthier-Bracco/Brown
That is a good problem to have.
With regards to Bracco, perhaps the lack of playing time last year and then comparing to other players has mitigated the excitement.
If you look at some of the other prospects the Leafs have had recently, Marner, Matthews, Nylander, Kapanen PPG as a 20 year old (Button even wrote him off while do this) many of the prospects might look less than they would normally.
Could even be a continuation of the 32 points in 30 games after being traded his final junior season. Not many people are high on juniors who are just over PGP in their senior year. Perhaps there was some thought that his time in Kitchener was just a great opportunity, and wasn't reflective of what he could do after his less than impressive (statistically) end of season stint in Windsor. But Windsor wasn't a high scoring team and Bracco had around the 3rd. best PPG on their team even after making the adjustment/move.
If he can be, at 21, a PPG player in the AHL, it is a great result.
He's in the top 15 for AHL scoring, although that is misleading as many who have a better PPG have been promoted to the NHL.
I'd say the biggest question mark with regards to his future is what can he bring to the Leafs, that the Leafs need that wouldn't be better filled by a different skillset?
If Marleau retired would he be a candidate to replace him, or would Babcock be looking for a different skillset?
A PPG Bracco is a strong asset for the Leafs.
RW: Marner, Nylander, Kapanen, Brown, Bracco
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Grundstrom/Engvall-Kadri-Kapanen
Moore-Gauthier-Bracco/Brown
That is a good problem to have.