That is what it is all about isnt it? Give it a positive spin.
We're not a young team ala NYI/Columbus/ or especially edmonton.
Edmonton's main core is 18-22, very much in it's developmental stage.
We have a core that is largely in it's mid-twenties entering it's prime, with the exception being maybe Reilly. Gardiner, Kadri, Frattin etc. are all about to get going.
We're not a young team ala NYI/Columbus/ or especially edmonton.
Edmonton's main core is 18-22, very much in it's developmental stage.
We have a core that is largely in it's mid-twenties entering it's prime, with the exception being maybe Reilly. Gardiner, Kadri, Frattin etc. are all about to get going.
Can we compromise and say we are not an old team?
I definitely qualify as a fan based on this definition. I've always watched the Leafs far more than a normal person for years and years and years. Now the past 8 years have been particularly awful but I am still sticking with it because I know there's not a worse GM/combo out there than Brian Burke/Wilson and we can only improve with that in mind.
There's things to be happy with but more to be unhappy with but that is in the past (Burke/Wilson's fault) and I am very happy we have a more patient GM at the helm right now.
this is a VERY young team and it's only going to get younger. Orr, Steckel, Liles, Connolly are all 30 or older and all have a good chance of being gone before next year replaced by younger guys
But everyone else will be a year older...
Gardiner and Kadri are both only 22. Same as Schultz and Eberle. Hall is like 6 months younger. Rielly and Yakupov are obviously in and about the same age.
Gardiner and Kadri aren't our core, they're complimentary pieces(although you could argue for gardiner).
Edmonton however solely relies on 18-22 year olds for it's top scoring.
based on reliance, Kessel(25), Lupul(29), Phaneuf(27) Grabo(29) and JVR(23) would be considered our 'core'(maybe Gardiner on top of that) with Reilly soon being the next guy.
I mean you could argue in multiple ways who's our core, I'm simply stating Edmonton heavily relies on a young group of 18-23 year olds for scoring and playing the most minutes, while we rely or are about to rely on a bunch of mid-twenty year olds who are entering their prime.
Edmonton is a few years away from blossoming, while we have guys that are largely seasoned.
If Kadri turns into a ppg C, he's not part of our core? If that's the case, in a couple years, Kadri is likely more valuable to this team's success than Grabo, and maybe even Lupul or JVR.
I would say he and Gardiner are both definitely part of the core.
This seems more of difference of development paths at least with Edmonton.
They are taking their young high draft picks and putting them into the NHL right away. Developing them there. I would be worried about cronic injuries down the road.
Toronto who doesn't have the high picks, not to their level. Have chosen to develop their players in the minors to allow them the opportunity to succeed. To do this you must sign UFA to fill the roles in the meantime which is a huge no no on these boards it seems.
The waiver pick up of McClaren is another sign of this. Our fourth line isn't good but none of our potential "enforcer" prospects are even close right now. This is McClaren's tryout for Orr's spot.
Two different philosophies, I like the Leafs better. It would be better if we had a few top draft picks to go with it though.
This seems more of difference of development paths at least with Edmonton.
They are taking their young high draft picks and putting them into the NHL right away. Developing them there. I would be worried about cronic injuries down the road.
Toronto who doesn't have the high picks, not to their level. Have chosen to develop their players in the minors to allow them the opportunity to succeed. To do this you must sign UFA to fill the roles in the meantime which is a huge no no on these boards it seems.
The waiver pick up of McClaren is another sign of this. Our fourth line isn't good but none of our potential "enforcer" prospects are even close right now. This is McClaren's tryout for Orr's spot.
Two different philosophies, I like the Leafs better. It would be better if we had a few top draft picks to go with it though.
Good Post. I agree. It really begs the question what was Burke thinking?
What I do like about EDM's philosophy similar to Chicagos previously - is these players are all developing toghether - chemistry for lack of a better word.