HoweHullOrr
Registered User
- Oct 3, 2013
- 11,875
- 2,378
Race to the bottom - Rebuild thread #2.
- Thread starter TMLegend
- Start date
- Feb 9, 2007
- 10,188
- 3,632
Tank for McDavid?
Honestly, with the current core, I don't see us becoming contenders. We either need a MAJOR retool or just rebuild around a center. Connor McDavid is the most hyped prospect since Crosby. He would be a great piece to build around. Anyone down for this?
Honestly, with the current core, I don't see us becoming contenders. We either need a MAJOR retool or just rebuild around a center. Connor McDavid is the most hyped prospect since Crosby. He would be a great piece to build around. Anyone down for this?
Leafidelity
Existentially Drifting
topched
Registered User
colchar
Registered User
- Apr 26, 2012
- 7,920
- 1,751
What about the draft lottery? Even finishing dead last does not guarantee a team the #1 pick. They could tank for him and not come close to drafting him.
Trapper
Registered User
- Nov 21, 2013
- 24,658
- 12,824
Yes do it.
Do it right and start now.
We have McDavid's line mate Brown in our system as well. The 2 Connors.
Prepare for it and start moving pieces to collect 6 or 7 2nd rd picks for those hidden gems.
Sign me up.
Baarle*
Registered User
Yes...if the Leafs do anything right in my lifetime, it will be tanking and getting McDavid. The only team that will compete hard with us for McDavid are the Sabres, and they beat us almost every single time. Although I will settle for Barzal or Eichel if we can get Reinhart in this draft.
TheLeastOfTheBunch
Franchise Centre
Well a team would get Eichel or Barzal then. Pretty good situation if you finish bottom 3
So you would rather them be a treadmill team like they are now rather than pick up 2 elite talents...okay then...no wonder we havent won anything since 1967.
AuraSphere
Registered User
- Jun 27, 2012
- 4,286
- 2,416
True, but we would have a 25% chance of winning, which is still pretty high. Even if we miss McDavid, there are some other great pieces to build around (Eichel, Strome).
Baarle*
Registered User
If they continue to suck balls this year I would be very happy to pick up Ekblad. However if we did suck all year I wouldn't want to go into next year hoping for a lottery pick. Why does everyone keep assuming you need a top 5 pick to get a top player?
Trapper
Registered User
- Nov 21, 2013
- 24,658
- 12,824
This board is great
Are you suggesting you don't ever want to see the Leafs win the cup? The Penguins drafted top 2 four times in a row. Then they go on to win the cup. The Hawks drafted top 3 three times in a row and they go on to win the cup. The Leafs brass decided it would be smart to try and make the playoffs year after year, and because of that, we picked 5th only twice, in what 9 years of no playoffs?
Mitchy
#HFOutcasts
Tamk for any of McDavid, Eichel, Hanifin
1. Trade for Mackinnon
2. Tank for McDavid.
3. Draft McDavid and build our own version of Crosby and Malkin
4. ????
5. PROFIT
I don't want to say I told you so... But I told you so.
Baarle*
Registered User
What you you mean you people?
Anyways, we just signed our two best players to 7+ year deals. Our entire core is signed for 4+ years. Most teams looking to acquire players like this don't have the cap room which means we can't dump them all for picks+prospects. Were basically stuck with the group we have for the forseeable future. Now, I can admit we're playing like **** right now. But if we trade off the cheap assets we have and fill their spots with AHL'ers, we'll have this year and next of being absolute crap. Then 2 more years for said rookies to go through their learning curve and become established players. We're now 4 years ahead. 4 years more of losing, maybe by year 4 were a playoff bubble team (something we are now if our coaching can become somewhat competent). At this point , some players will be on expiring contracts while the rest are in their early-mid 30's. So we have about 2 years to compete for the cup until were right back where we are now.
Our team isn't built like the Buffalo's and Florida's who have a bunch of vet's on cheap, short deals who are easily moveable. Our core group is signed for the long term, so while you can cry for a tank job for the next 3 years it's just not going to happen because it's not possible. We need to acquire a top 3 defenceman, someone to pair with Dion or someone who can fill in on the second pairing at least. We continue to develop our prospects and hopefully draft well. That's where this team is right now and you can accept it or jump ship to a contender. Either way, don't blame realists like myself for the failures of past regimes.
Baarle*
Registered User
How do you not see that defence is the biggest problem with this team? If we somehow end up with the #1 pick in June you took Ekblad, not a small centre.
