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Which players were under 6 feet for the Leafs last year that you had a problem with? I mean you can probably name tons of them with significant roles, right?
Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign Braeden Kressler to ELC
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Which players were under 6 feet for the Leafs last year that you had a problem with? I mean you can probably name tons of them with significant roles, right?
Leafs at Knight
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
hotpaws
Registered User
- Nov 21, 2009
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never gave an opinion on the player , just made a comment on his size which triggered a few poster for some reason
dangomon
Registered User
deprw
Registered User
- Mar 7, 2010
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I think his had lots of opinions during the years, but lacked in substance. Don't bother.
Interesting addition and something we can and should do, since our lack of picks in last and next draft. Hopefully grows a bit and can be a player.
We tried that drafting for size with Hunter and because of that our prospect pool haven't that much to show for Hunter years beyond first and some second rounders.
Posted about this happening a couple times around Rookie camp. Seemed like a decent possibility. Quite a gamble giving an ELC with so little hockey played in the last two years, but effectively we just traded a contract slot 2 years from now for a 6-7th round pick. Some scattered thoughts:
Makes this draft more interesting to follow, but really makes me question the Peksa pick
To those that got their panties in a bunch over not caving to get a 6th/7th for Hyman's rights: Tadaaaaa
Has any one seen an updated size? EP is likely from the start of his U17 year two full seasons ago. A lot changes over two years, and he didn't look all that small at the prospects tourney.
Kressler as a player, here's a pretty nice writeup from Brock Otten OHL Prospects: My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft - Part 3: 30-11
27. Braeden Kressler - Center/Wing - Flint Firebirds
If Kressler were a little bigger, I think that we would be talking about him as a potential top 50 selection. However, at 5'9, it becomes a little more difficult to project him as an NHL player given his style of play. A terrific and energetic two-way player, Kressler would be someone NHL teams would be looking at as a potential shutdown center if he were over 6'0, however that kind of role seems to demand a little more size in today's game. That means teams will probably project him as a more of a change of pace, middle six winger. Anyway you slice it, Kressler is an impressive young player and one who brings a ton of versatility. He excelled in a variety of different roles last season for Flint. He killed penalties. He played center in a third line, energy role. He played wing higher in the lineup with the likes of Ty Dellandrea, helping to chase down pucks and open up space for his linemates. More shifty than fast, Kressler is one of the draft's best on his edges; able to turn, start, and stop on a dime. This makes him a really elusive player in the offensive zone. The one area of his game that will need to show improvement is his shot and finishing ability, especially if he wants to be more than a PK, depth option at the next level. He earned so many good looks last season but had a really tough time putting the puck in the net. Without action this year, it is difficult to say what Kressler's high end upside is. But, given the well rounded nature of his skill set, it is likely that he should be able to carve out a role for himself in some capacity.
Makes this draft more interesting to follow, but really makes me question the Peksa pick
To those that got their panties in a bunch over not caving to get a 6th/7th for Hyman's rights: Tadaaaaa
Has any one seen an updated size? EP is likely from the start of his U17 year two full seasons ago. A lot changes over two years, and he didn't look all that small at the prospects tourney.
Kressler as a player, here's a pretty nice writeup from Brock Otten OHL Prospects: My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft - Part 3: 30-11
27. Braeden Kressler - Center/Wing - Flint Firebirds
If Kressler were a little bigger, I think that we would be talking about him as a potential top 50 selection. However, at 5'9, it becomes a little more difficult to project him as an NHL player given his style of play. A terrific and energetic two-way player, Kressler would be someone NHL teams would be looking at as a potential shutdown center if he were over 6'0, however that kind of role seems to demand a little more size in today's game. That means teams will probably project him as a more of a change of pace, middle six winger. Anyway you slice it, Kressler is an impressive young player and one who brings a ton of versatility. He excelled in a variety of different roles last season for Flint. He killed penalties. He played center in a third line, energy role. He played wing higher in the lineup with the likes of Ty Dellandrea, helping to chase down pucks and open up space for his linemates. More shifty than fast, Kressler is one of the draft's best on his edges; able to turn, start, and stop on a dime. This makes him a really elusive player in the offensive zone. The one area of his game that will need to show improvement is his shot and finishing ability, especially if he wants to be more than a PK, depth option at the next level. He earned so many good looks last season but had a really tough time putting the puck in the net. Without action this year, it is difficult to say what Kressler's high end upside is. But, given the well rounded nature of his skill set, it is likely that he should be able to carve out a role for himself in some capacity.
Coaches Coroner
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- Mar 12, 2009
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why is everyone giving the one guy that will complain about literally anything this team does, with a fetish for tall guys, the attention he so desperately craves?
nuck
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- Aug 18, 2005
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Maybe but as others have said, its like making up for a missing pick. When they took Voit they had to draft him on the basis of his 16 year old season. Kreessler got to play beside known quantities in the Leaf's system in a year when the OHL talent couldn't be scouted. If they were ever to have an opportunity to steal one, it would be signing from this years OHL group.
justashadowof
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- Aug 15, 2020
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I posted a few weeks ago that I'm confident that there will be future substantial NHLers who passed through the 2021 draft. There was no OHL season in 2020-21 for many 17 yos to move up the rankings list. Hopefully this is one of those players.
It seems that he'll need to work on his skating a bit judging from his rookie tourney highlights.
It seems that he'll need to work on his skating a bit judging from his rookie tourney highlights.
LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
Kressler's contract doesn't count against the 50 limit, correct? This would be a contract that slides right?
If that's the case, I wouldn't mind trying to sign another one of these OHL/CHL guys to make up for the limited picks in last years draft.
With the CHL playing so little (and in some cases, none) games last season, there are going to be some undrafted gems from this league. The 16 year olds that lost their sophomore season are incredibly under-scouted.
If that's the case, I wouldn't mind trying to sign another one of these OHL/CHL guys to make up for the limited picks in last years draft.
With the CHL playing so little (and in some cases, none) games last season, there are going to be some undrafted gems from this league. The 16 year olds that lost their sophomore season are incredibly under-scouted.
did we really have to give him an NHL contract, like were other teams lining up to sign him?
Lmao maybe. But that guy who was being offered NHL contracts by teams like Ottawa (he's like 6'5" and put up 60+ goals in his last OHL season) even signed an AHL deal with us.
The Iceman
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- Sep 22, 2007
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The player in question is a free agent. Why be upset for signing a lottery ticket?
6'6" giant Brazeau did not work out, maybe this kid will.
Draft skill, trade and FA sign size and bite. That is the plan.
Muzzin, Simmonds, Ritchie, Gabriel, Foligno
hotpaws
Registered User
- Nov 21, 2009
- 22,109
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how about we draft skill with some size since there's nothing special with a prospect pool filled to the brim with moderately skilled smurfs which are a dime a dozen
most prospects bust regardless of size so i don't get why the plan would be draft midgets and trade/sign size especially since 4 out of 5 players you listed did nothing for the team , also how desperate do you have to be to list Gabriel ? lol the only thing that useless slug has going for him is his smokin hot girlfriend
SprDaVE
Moderator
- Sep 20, 2008
- 55,856
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It does slide. It will slide next season too unless he makes the Leafs. (he won't)
He only turns 20 in 2023.
Kitchener’s Braeden Kressler inks three-year deal with Toronto Maple Leafs | TheRecord.com
TORONTO — At the time, being bypassed in the NHL draft stung.
But, looking back, Kitchener’s Braeden Kressler wouldn’t change a thing.
“Obviously it was disappointing,” said the 18-year-old. “But the motivation just kind of kicked in. It’s one of the best things that happened to me.”
Instead of feeling sorry for himself, the Flint Firebirds forward relished the thought of proving people wrong.
And he got his chance when the Toronto Maple Leafs reached out soon after the NHL draft wrapped up this past July and invited him to their rookie camp.
Kressler, a lifelong Leafs fan, jumped at the chance.
He impressed the Buds’ brass so much that they invited him to main training camp and, on Friday, inked him to a three-year entry level contract worth $825,000.
“It’s hard to put it into words,” said Kressler, when reached in Toronto. “It’s still kind of kicking in. It’s a real honour to be a part of this organization.”
...........................
Like many hockey players, he lost the tail end of the 2019-20 season and playoffs as well as the entire following campaign after the league shutdown. Kressler was tracking well ahead of the NHL draft, but being idle for so long hurt his stock.
So, it was tough watching his friends fulfil their dreams at the draft and not being selected.
But hard work has always been a hallmark throughout Kressler’s career. It’s something his parents Steph and Ryan instilled him at an early age.
“They kind of pushed me to work hard every day,” he said. “They never forced anything on me but supported me. They were always encouraging me to be better.”
He took that mentality into rookie camp and, clearly, the Leafs noticed.
Kressler, who received a Leafs sweater with his name on the back when he was born, is still with Toronto as the team continues pre-season play. But he’s expecting to be reassigned to Flint at some point, as most prospects his age are, and plans to take all the lessons he’s learned from pros such as Mitch Marner and John Tavares back to the OHL.
TORONTO — At the time, being bypassed in the NHL draft stung.
But, looking back, Kitchener’s Braeden Kressler wouldn’t change a thing.
“Obviously it was disappointing,” said the 18-year-old. “But the motivation just kind of kicked in. It’s one of the best things that happened to me.”
Instead of feeling sorry for himself, the Flint Firebirds forward relished the thought of proving people wrong.
And he got his chance when the Toronto Maple Leafs reached out soon after the NHL draft wrapped up this past July and invited him to their rookie camp.
Kressler, a lifelong Leafs fan, jumped at the chance.
He impressed the Buds’ brass so much that they invited him to main training camp and, on Friday, inked him to a three-year entry level contract worth $825,000.
“It’s hard to put it into words,” said Kressler, when reached in Toronto. “It’s still kind of kicking in. It’s a real honour to be a part of this organization.”
...........................
Like many hockey players, he lost the tail end of the 2019-20 season and playoffs as well as the entire following campaign after the league shutdown. Kressler was tracking well ahead of the NHL draft, but being idle for so long hurt his stock.
So, it was tough watching his friends fulfil their dreams at the draft and not being selected.
But hard work has always been a hallmark throughout Kressler’s career. It’s something his parents Steph and Ryan instilled him at an early age.
“They kind of pushed me to work hard every day,” he said. “They never forced anything on me but supported me. They were always encouraging me to be better.”
He took that mentality into rookie camp and, clearly, the Leafs noticed.
Kressler, who received a Leafs sweater with his name on the back when he was born, is still with Toronto as the team continues pre-season play. But he’s expecting to be reassigned to Flint at some point, as most prospects his age are, and plans to take all the lessons he’s learned from pros such as Mitch Marner and John Tavares back to the OHL.
There aren't many 7 foot Gretzkys past the top picks. You draft the best player, regardless of size. A prospect pool is not any more special with "dime a dozen" big guys who don't have the talent to overcome when they lose their size advantage. How about we just enjoy an extra free chance at a player?
- Sep 8, 2004
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okay Burkie, do we need more "Biggs' players then? ...size is always nice, but, skill is the most important trait when drafting. this guy likely never makes it past the marlies, so, whoop de doo
Gallagher and Caufield are both 'listed' at 5'9" (which typically means, they arent) and as much as i dislike the Habs, I wouldnt mind either of those smurfs.
...and I'd rather sign Gabriel as a free agent, than have wasted a draft pick on him
hotpaws
Registered User
- Nov 21, 2009
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size/skill aren't mutually exclusive and no one's saying to target useless slugs like Gabriel with higher picks or to never draft smurfs
it's funny that you brought up Burke since i'm 100% certain you were supporting his every move just like your doing now with Dubas , lol
- Sep 8, 2004
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actually, NO, I was never a Burke fan, and my post history (as ancient as it is, fully supports that)
...I also do not 'support' Dubas.
I do not think he has done a bad job, but supporting, vs hating are not mutually exclusive. you can agree with what someone does, and not support them blindly. Dubas has made good and bad decisions. I had always wanted a GM that drafted skill, but, I also dont agree with their drafting of over-age players, or sure fire 3rd liners, i'd rather a home run swing with every draft pick, and hope you get that 5th round superstar, rather than a solid/safe 4th liner with marginal to no upside (i.e. Brooks). ...and stop drafting players who's skating needs to 'improve'
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