The_Chosen_One
Registered User
If we're getting Stamkos, I doubt we'll be resigning Kadri. I also not sure if he needs to play centre, the scorer is terribly defensively so I'd like someone more steady IMO.I honestly think if Stamkos doesn't resign, He is coming to Toronto. And if he does, I think that will drastically speed up our rebuild. I think they sell off a bunch of guys and pick up alot of picks for the next 2 drafts, but keep most of the core of young guys. I think that is why they haven't moved Phaneuf yet. This could be a very quick turn around if they get Stamkos.
Hypothetically, if they did land him, and have a great draft and pick up Jacob Chychrun (which they probably can do since we will likely have a top 4 pick, plus multiple other picks to trade in order to move up just in case we end up with the 4th pick overall and he goes 2nd or 3rd.
if that happens, that could attract other big name free agents. Guys likely to test free agency Imo that I could see them target if they get Stamkos. Guys like Byfuglien, maybe Backes, Hamhuis, Lucic.
Not saying we will get any of those guys but we will have tons of room, and if we could pay Byfuglien let's say 7 to 8 we would still be fine for a few years due to so many players on Elc. Yea we would to worry about that in 3 to 5 years. By then some of the prospects won't pan out and they all (Nylander, Marner, Rielly, Chychrun, Kapanen) won't be getting the Taylor Hall 6 million in restricted free agency right away. The Leafs will probably do it like they did for Kadri, and just keep giving then bridge contacts until they get close to losing them in free agency.
And I know people will get mad cuz they don't want the rebuild to be be accelerated, cuz of Burke, but with Stamkos it will. But if we get him, we honestly are only 1 or 2 pieces away from being a serious contender.
? - Stamkos - Nylander
JVR - Kadri - Marner
Kapanen - Gauthier - C. Brown
Rielly - Byfuglien
Chychrun - Phaneuf
Gardiner - Percy
Could be real good in a year or 2
More importantly, Marner needs to be developed as a centre even if we end up drafting Mathews.