Kin
New member
So, right now, it seems like a lot of the talk about the Leafs and where they need to improve themselves going forward is up front and, ignoring the issue of a top line center for a second, it seems like people are mainly happy with the top 4 wingers that are still around but the issue is really going to be guys for the third line to replace Frattin and Mac as well as some guys for the 4th line who aren't Orr/McLaren types.
Well, here's the thing about all of that. Right now, here's a list of guys either on the Marlies or the Leafs who are forwards, who were drafted in the top 3 rounds and are between the ages of 20-23:
Greg McKegg
Bradley Ross
Jamie Devane
Tyler Biggs
Joe Colborne
Josh Leivo
Carter Ashton
Kenny Ryan
That doesn't include guys like D'Amigo who were lower round picks but who have shown promise either.
Now, are all of them going to be NHL ready? No. But some of them are going to have to be. There should be spots for those guys on the big club. They won't be teenagers, most of them have spent legitimate time in the AHL already and they possess a wide variety of skills. We should be expecting our team to feature at least a few of those guys in the next two years. If none of them are players the Leafs are in a very different kind of trouble.
Well, here's the thing about all of that. Right now, here's a list of guys either on the Marlies or the Leafs who are forwards, who were drafted in the top 3 rounds and are between the ages of 20-23:
Greg McKegg
Bradley Ross
Jamie Devane
Tyler Biggs
Joe Colborne
Josh Leivo
Carter Ashton
Kenny Ryan
That doesn't include guys like D'Amigo who were lower round picks but who have shown promise either.
Now, are all of them going to be NHL ready? No. But some of them are going to have to be. There should be spots for those guys on the big club. They won't be teenagers, most of them have spent legitimate time in the AHL already and they possess a wide variety of skills. We should be expecting our team to feature at least a few of those guys in the next two years. If none of them are players the Leafs are in a very different kind of trouble.