Your Five Key Players Going Forward

[mikebel111*]

ron wilson for sure

oh wait we fired him, can we do anything right? man I hate this team

 

[MiniMoose]

Kadri
JVR
Rielly
Gardiner
Franson :O

 

[VO5]

Rielly
Kadri
JVR
Frattin
Franson

 

[The Apologist]

Are you sure you didn't start off in the Islander board and get kicked out because you harassed people too much ?

There's hardly that many lists where he hasn't cracked the top 5 anyways. No need to flip out over nothing.

No, I love a good rebuild too, but even I know at some point you gotta keep the guys you have developed, and make no mistake about it, the Leafs have played a huge role in his development.

I guess I just don't see how a fan base can want to trade away a guy who is among the best in the league?

 

[The Apologist]

Trading from a position of strength to address weakness is not the end of the world.

Relax.

So why trade your BEST player to address a weakness? What's your game plan? Who covers Kessels contributions?

 

[The Apologist]

I was thinking the same thing Hey we have a young star! lets trade him now while hes a star to re-stock on guy who could be just as good in 5-10 years!

Not even can, but possibly can..... Only in Leaf Nation...

 

[The Apologist]

My five:

KESSEL: the only correct name at number one for anyone who knows anything about hockey. PpG, guaranteed 30+ goals, makes every linemate look like a star, just insanely talented. Oh, and still very much young.

Kadri: The 1c we've all been crying over for years, although by next season a certain portion will be demanding a trade when he outscores another teams 1c 2-1 on average, but just doesn't play the game big enough for them.

Lupul: arguably the heart and soul of this team, probably should be captain. Now if only we could keep him healthy.

Franson: I think we are finally seeing the emergence of the Dman we thought we were getting in the trade.

Kulemin: he may not score as much as he once (and I mean that literally) did, but he is a solid board presence, and will play a key role on this team for years.

HM: Phaneuf

Top 3 to go:

Grabbo: Heart and soul player. But with Bozak going nowhere, Kadri emerging, and McClement being solid, nowhere for him to play.

Reimer/ Scrivens: either one could be a starting goalie in the NHL with a solid vet playing behind them. As a tandem, nobody there to fix the inevitable shattered ego that is bound to follow playing in this market. One of them needs to go, and a vet brought in.

Liles: great guy, solid d, but with the emergence of Franson and possibly Gardiner, we have better, younger options.

Did not include:
Jake Gardiner: on the fence about him. Could be for real, but not ready to include him yet.

JVR: I wonder how much is Kessel....

Rielly: hasn't played a game yet, still nearly untouchable though.