Leafs 2017 Entry Draft

[Kin]

So, effectively, we should be happy that our first round picks didn't go as badly as they could have possibly gone? That's our benchmark for success?

I mean...the bar was set pretty darn low over the last decade+ that this seems like a pretty logical starting point for fans. The honeymoon will end at some point, but I can't imagine that you're surprised that fans are basing their observations off of past experience and not just data, per se. It isn't your jam, but it makes sense why folks are excited that the team isn't pulling worst case scenarios for each and every move they make (circa Burke, Fletcher 2.0, and JFJ years).

But we're talking exclusively about these guys and their ability to draft and as someone who's been a fan for that past decade+ i can say that while the overall results have generally been lousy what you're describing just isn't true. It was Burke who drafted Kadri, Nonis who drafted Nylander and JFJ, while you can say a lot of things about him, you can't say that he was terrible on draft day.

 

[mr grieves]

So, effectively, we should be happy that our first round picks didn't go as badly as they could have possibly gone? That's our benchmark for success?

I mean...the bar was set pretty darn low over the last decade+ that this seems like a pretty logical starting point for fans. The honeymoon will end at some point, but I can't imagine that you're surprised that fans are basing their observations off of past experience and not just data, per se. It isn't your jam, but it makes sense why folks are excited that the team isn't pulling worst case scenarios for each and every move they make (circa Burke, Fletcher 2.0, and JFJ years).

But we're talking exclusively about these guys and their ability to draft and as someone who's been a fan for that past decade+ i can say that while the overall results have generally been lousy what you're describing just isn't true. It was Burke who drafted Kadri, Nonis who drafted Nylander and JFJ, while you can say a lot of things about him, you can't say that he was terrible on draft day.

Yeah, it wasn't meant as an endorsement of the Shanahan regime. Until Hunter's picks yield 3 Connor Browns, I'm withholding judgment.

Just think it's notable that we haven't missed on any of our top 10 picks. That's not true of many teams. And not having to hope to find decent contributors in the later round, to make up for high pick busts or disappointments, sets the Leafs up well.

 

[Kin]

The only thing that confuses me there is that either it's a statement about the current management/scouting group in which case the number of top 10 picks they've made successfully is 2(and hitting on 2 top 10 picks when they're #1 and #4 isn't that exceptional) or it's a general statement about the Leafs and the fact that they haven't out and out whiffed on any top 10 picks since Brandon Convery 25 years ago which is pretty neat albeit not terribly relevant.

 

[mr grieves]

The only thing that confuses me there is that either it's a statement about the current management/scouting group in which case the number of top 10 picks they've made successfully is 2(and hitting on 2 top 10 picks when they're #1 and #4 isn't that exceptional) or it's a general statement about the Leafs and the fact that they haven't out and out whiffed on any top 10 picks since Brandon Convery 25 years ago which is pretty neat albeit not terribly relevant.

Somewhere in between. There haven't been any missed opportunities with a top-10 pick during the miserable post-lockout rebuild. I would think the Leafs have been pretty lucky in that regard. It certainly makes Hunter's job a lot easier.

 

[slapshot]

Just getting back to this thread. I was pretty convinced he'd be gone when I started it, but somehow the stars continue to align for the Leafs after many years of being completely off-course. Was pretty stoked on draft night to see him drop that far. Loved what Hunter said, called it a "no brainer" and said that just because he had mono, didn't mean he lost his skills. So true....

I see the Leafs just adding a short-term RD that could manage the 4 spot until this kid makes the Leafs. Seems to me they might take a similar route with him as they did with Nylander, back to Sweden then maybe some late season time with the Marlies (to get the feel of the AHL). Then next year with Marlies, with a late season audition in Toronto (like the kids call-up two seasons ago) to get the feel of the NHL, then 2019-20 full-time service with the big squad. It would be pretty cool if we didn't have to wait another 50+ years to win another Calder Trophy.