Ideally we have McDavid but we might be drafting Strome.
But down the line:
---- Strome/McDavid/Marner -----
Leivo-Nylander-----
-----Gauthier------
Not entirely sure about the 4th line. But I could see Connor Brown playing on the first line. Great prospect. Andreas Johnson is doing well in the Swedish league. Him on a checking third line with Gauthier is ideal. Drafting a defence man in the next draft (Day would be the best case scenario especially if we're going to be that bad) and a good winger prospect in the one after and we're good for the top 6 for the future. Rielly, Percy, Day (or whoever is best at defence at the pick we have in 2016) in the back. We can start fillling in the bottom six with fill in Marlies while the prospects develop and by 2018-2019 while the cap is hopefully more clear (Phaneuf and Kessel will obviously be gone by then), we can fill the spots with actual talent from free agency and start to contend.
Chychrun is a significantly better prospect.
Well early draft projections for 2016 have Day above him. What makes Chy better?
I think next year is a 3 way race between Chychrun, Puljujarvi and Mathews for first overall. All three have franchise changing potential from what I've seen and heard of them. Benson is in a tier just below these guys. As for possible elite players past the 2016 draft, Xavier Parent and Joseph Veleno come to mind. You should also check out Nolan Patrick
1. Matthews
2. Chychrun
3. Laine
4. Kirwan
5. Day
To me, Auston Matthews is the clear #1 for the moment!
Right now I'd say
1. Puljujärvi (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=152117)
2. Matthews (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=199898)
3. Chychrun (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=243386)
4. Sokolov (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=279385)
5. Jones (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=233448)
Despite their play as of late, the Leafs (for the first time in a long time) actually have some young players to look forward to in the near future. With core players like Phaneuf, Kessel, and Bozak rumoured to be on the block, along with the strong chance of picking in the top 5 of this year's draft, the Leafs have finally put themselves in decent position to become a good young team within the next couple of years.
What do you think (roughly) the opening night lineup will look like for the 2019-2020 season, given the above?