2016 NHL Entry Draft Discussion

[ErnieLeafs]

Rielly and Chychrun

This would Phaneuf in the #3 spot, eventually. That's a future 1st pairing, for sure

 

[Highlander23]

Vitaly Abramov has 7 points in 2 QMJHL games to begin the season.

He is the biggest darkhorse out there !!! he is closer to sokolov (projected top 10) than people realise

 

[WTFMAN99]

This would Phaneuf in the #3 spot, eventually. That's a future 1st pairing, for sure

Until Phaneuf is too pricey to keep as a #3 at $7M

 

[theIceWookie]

He is the biggest darkhorse out there !!! he is closer to sokolov (projected top 10) than people realise

He's quite talented. He's definitely top 30 in my books, and I think he'll make a push for higher. Though I expect teams and posters to hold his size against him...

 

[rdawg1234]

I can see us drafting #10 overall this year.

Our offence is literally made up of veteran middle-6 mercenaries+Kadri and JVR. It's one of the worst in the league imo.

defence we are middle of the pack, but seriously, what 9 teams are we definitely better than? the only clear one is Arizona who is badly trying to tank.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Our offence is literally made up of veteran middle-6 mercenaries+Kadri and JVR. It's one of the worst in the league imo.

defence we are middle of the pack, but seriously, what 9 teams are we definitely better than? the only clear one is Arizona who is badly trying to tank.

I have us in the bottom 3 with Arizona and New Jersey.

 

[theIceWookie]

I have us in the bottom 3 with Arizona and New Jersey.

Who knows what low expectations and a full team of players looking to prove something can do though?

I don't think bottom 3 is as guaranteed as many are thinking. It's a long season. We weren't even bottom 3 last year...

 

[Rare Jewel]

Who knows what low expectations and a full team of players looking to prove something can do though?

I don't think bottom 3 is as guaranteed as many are thinking. It's a long season. We weren't even bottom 3 last year...

I would have to agree.

Plus with the way the draft lottery will be this year, those top 3 spots in the draft lottery are as open as ever.

 

[Cor]

Who knows what low expectations and a full team of players looking to prove something can do though?

I don't think bottom 3 is as guaranteed as many are thinking. It's a long season. We weren't even bottom 3 last year...

But we also had Kessel scoring his heart out in the first half of last season.

January onwards, in which, frankly, we were without Kessel, we were even worse than Buffalo.

We went from 2-4 points away from MTL in the division lead at one point, to 27th overall in a span of essentially 3 months.

Working hard, and not quitting is great, but that doesn't put pucks in the net. We're going to struggle hard at doing that.

 

[Morning Dart]

But we also had Kessel scoring his heart out in the first half of last season.

January onwards, in which, frankly, we were without Kessel, we were even worse than Buffalo.

We went from 2-4 points away from MTL in the division lead at one point, to 27th overall in a span of essentially 3 months.

Working hard, and not quitting is great, but that doesn't put pucks in the net. We're going to struggle hard at doing that.

Agreed.

Hypothetically, under Babcock, we can expect ourselves to be losing a lot more 3-2, 2-1 type games. He'll preach puck support and use our mobile D to his advantage, so we can expect much better puck possession as well, the problem will be translating that into goals.

The loss of Kessel isn't just removing him from the lineup, it's the loss of the insulation having a guy like him provided to guys like JvR, Kadri, Lupul etc. With him gone, teams are going to be able to focus more evenly across all 5 guys on the ice. Time will tell if Kadri can step up (his P/60 is pretty comparable to Tavares/Duchene, like it or not it's just a fact), so it'll be interesting to see if more minutes/PP time translates into more production from him or if facing top matchups will slow him down.

Coupled with the fact we are incredibly thin in terms of top-end talent, one major injury (which is to be expected from Lupul) can and will absolutely slow us down immensely. We have 3 offensive threats in Kadri/JvR/Lupul, if one of those guys goes down we're talking about a top-line featuring Dan Winnik or Shawn Matthias.

Bottom-3 isn't guaranteed, maybe we get a huge step-up from Rielly/Gardiner/Kadri or maybe Bernier is totally lights out, who knows? But with the wear and tear of the NHL regular season, I expect this team to be more competitive, immensely more watchable, but still totally mediocre next season.

 

[Ovate]

Agreed.

Hypothetically, under Babcock, we can expect ourselves to be losing a lot more 3-2, 2-1 type games. He'll preach puck support and use our mobile D to his advantage, so we can expect much better puck possession as well, the problem will be translating that into goals.

The loss of Kessel isn't just removing him from the lineup, it's the loss of the insulation having a guy like him provided to guys like JvR, Kadri, Lupul etc. With him gone, teams are going to be able to focus more evenly across all 5 guys on the ice. Time will tell if Kadri can step up (his P/60 is pretty comparable to Tavares/Duchene, like it or not it's just a fact), so it'll be interesting to see if more minutes/PP time translates into more production from him or if facing top matchups will slow him down.

Coupled with the fact we are incredibly thin in terms of top-end talent, one major injury (which is to be expected from Lupul) can and will absolutely slow us down immensely. We have 3 offensive threats in Kadri/JvR/Lupul, if one of those guys goes down we're talking about a top-line featuring Dan Winnik or Shawn Matthias.

Bottom-3 isn't guaranteed, maybe we get a huge step-up from Rielly/Gardiner/Kadri or maybe Bernier is totally lights out, who knows? But with the wear and tear of the NHL regular season, I expect this team to be more competitive, immensely more watchable, but still totally mediocre next season.

Given Lupul's last season, I would no longer count him as one of our top 3 offensive threats. Parenteau grabs that "honour" away from him.

One of the strengths we do have is depth. Our top line might be more shut down, but our 4th line will be able to capitalize on the weak lines they're matchup up against.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Our offence is literally made up of veteran middle-6 mercenaries+Kadri and JVR. It's one of the worst in the league imo.

defence we are middle of the pack, but seriously, what 9 teams are we definitely better than? the only clear one is Arizona who is badly trying to tank.

Its better than last years offence.

 

[Nithoniniel]

Its better than last years offence.

It is. If they let us play with five lines.

 

[A1LeafNation]

It is. If they let us play with five lines.

...or it just means we are more prepared for injuries than most teams.

 

[Nithoniniel]

...or it just means we are more prepared for injuries than most teams.

Yes we are. But we don't have a better offense in the starting lineup than last year.

 

[TMLegend]

Yes we are. But we don't have a better offense in the starting lineup than last year.

Debatable. Only thing of note we lost was Kessel and his 25 goals. It could even be argued we might be a better team without him, and I'm hedging my bets that we will be actually with a surprisingly decent forward group that has good amount of depth to it. Sure, it lacks high-end talent, but scoring by committee effort as well as an improved defensive effort and better two-way play will get the job done. Most posters seem to forget that practically the entire team had abysmal seasons last year. Bernier, Phaneuf, Kadri, Lupul should all see years better than lasts, and with the new additions, I think they'll be competitive.

They won't be bottom 5, take that to the bank.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

Debatable. Only thing of note we lost was Kessel and his 25 goals. It could even be argued we might be a better team without him, and I'm hedging my bets that we will be actually with a surprisingly decent forward group that has good amount of depth to it. Sure, it lacks high-end talent, but scoring by committee effort as well as an improved defensive effort and better two-way play will get the job done. Most posters seem to forget that practically the entire team had abysmal seasons last year. Bernier, Phaneuf, Kadri, Lupul should all see years better than lasts, and with the new additions, I think they'll be competitive.

They won't be bottom 5, take that to the bank.

I'm having flashbacks to 08/09.

 

[theIceWookie]

Debatable. Only thing of note we lost was Kessel and his 25 goals. It could even be argued we might be a better team without him, and I'm hedging my bets that we will be actually with a surprisingly decent forward group that has good amount of depth to it. Sure, it lacks high-end talent, but scoring by committee effort as well as an improved defensive effort and better two-way play will get the job done. Most posters seem to forget that practically the entire team had abysmal seasons last year. Bernier, Phaneuf, Kadri, Lupul should all see years better than lasts, and with the new additions, I think they'll be competitive.

They won't be bottom 5, take that to the bank.

Yeah I'm not banking on a top 5 pick. I wouldn't say "take it to the bank" just yet, but I just see a lot of potential for us being better than expected (though, still not great lol).

You just don't know what a new organizational culture can do to a team. Like at all. New management changes things, especially when you get in a coach that is as highly lauded as Babcock.

Plus toss in the new players this team has added, the one year mercenaries in Matthias, PAP, Grabner, Spaling, and any of the PTO's who earn contracts, plus the guys on expiring deals like Polak, Reimer, and any of the RFA's (which includes Marincin, Rielly, Holland, and Kadri) and there could be potential for some strong play from players.

Plus new opportunities that come with such a new direction. Kessel is gone and there are open spots in the team's top line and top 6 as a whole.

There's just too much unknown at this point for me to say that this team is a guaranteed bottom 5 team. It's not going to be a good team, that's for damn sure, but it's not a guaranteed bottom 5 team in my eyes.

Not that I wouldn't mind a high shot at Matthews. I just don't think it's as in the books as some of the rest of you.

 

[Nithoniniel]

Debatable. Only thing of note we lost was Kessel and his 25 goals. It could even be argued we might be a better team without him, and I'm hedging my bets that we will be actually with a surprisingly decent forward group that has good amount of depth to it. Sure, it lacks high-end talent, but scoring by committee effort as well as an improved defensive effort and better two-way play will get the job done. Most posters seem to forget that practically the entire team had abysmal seasons last year. Bernier, Phaneuf, Kadri, Lupul should all see years better than lasts, and with the new additions, I think they'll be competitive.

They won't be bottom 5, take that to the bank.

Heh. This seems almost word by word like what I've said before. Depth should not be underrated.

Oh, and this too:

Yeah I'm not banking on a top 5 pick. I wouldn't say "take it to the bank" just yet, but I just see a lot of potential for us being better than expected (though, still not great lol).

You just don't know what a new organizational culture can do to a team. Like at all. New management changes things, especially when you get in a coach that is as highly lauded as Babcock.

Plus toss in the new players this team has added, the one year mercenaries in Matthias, PAP, Grabner, Spaling, and any of the PTO's who earn contracts, plus the guys on expiring deals like Polak, Reimer, and any of the RFA's (which includes Marincin, Rielly, Holland, and Kadri) and there could be potential for some strong play from players.

Plus new opportunities that come with such a new direction. Kessel is gone and there are open spots in the team's top line and top 6 as a whole.

There's just too much unknown at this point for me to say that this team is a guaranteed bottom 5 team. It's not going to be a good team, that's for damn sure, but it's not a guaranteed bottom 5 team in my eyes.

Not that I wouldn't mind a high shot at Matthews. I just don't think it's as in the books as some of the rest of you.

 

[Menzinger]

Debatable. Only thing of note we lost was Kessel and his 25 goals. It could even be argued we might be a better team without him, and I'm hedging my bets that we will be actually with a surprisingly decent forward group that has good amount of depth to it. Sure, it lacks high-end talent, but scoring by committee effort as well as an improved defensive effort and better two-way play will get the job done. Most posters seem to forget that practically the entire team had abysmal seasons last year. Bernier, Phaneuf, Kadri, Lupul should all see years better than lasts, and with the new additions, I think they'll be competitive.

They won't be bottom 5, take that to the bank.

You're losing more than 25 goals with Kessel gone - it's 60+, Kessel was the best playmaker on the team. His assists were just as valuable.

I think the Leafs are a near lock for the bottom five, maybe even bottom 3.

Remember too, most of these new signings will likely be flipped by the trade deadline.

 

[peety16]

Matthews popped his first in the Swiss League... Sure looked like he belonged there

 

[LeafsNation75]

Matthews popped his first in the Swiss League... Sure looked like he belonged there

Here is video of his goal.

 

[Stand Witness]

Here is video of his goal.

If you were to show a hockey fan this highlight with no prior knowledge of it being Auston Matthews and all they know is that this is a pro league they would likely guess that Matthews is a prime 26 year old in this clip. Looks a lot older then 17/18.

Looks like he would have jumped into the NHL this year.

 

[Atomos2]

Tonight is the first time I've watched Jones and Tkachuk. First impression: I like Jones more than Tkachuk.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Here is video of his goal.

Damn... Herzog didn't score.