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The climb........

N

nutman

New member
So I for one think the tank is over, and its now time for the climb up the latter.

On that point I would say the leafs system is very impressive, but we need that Goalie that has been avoiding us for a long time, we need a true #1 goalie. as for the D, I think we are better off then most seem to think. And up front if we add SS and make him capt, I see a much faster jump up the latter. (but not for crazy money).

Over all I am just as happy as can be that we are finally doing it right. I think this will be the best season in a while to watch the Leafs, I can't wait.
 
Sorry nutman, for me finally doing it right includes more pain, tho they can only 'clinch' 30th faster to be worse, so, yeah they'll probably be better next year.
 
I have been watching and reading up on our talent for the last year instead of following the Leafs themselves, and let me tell you I am impressed with what we have coming up. with the Coach we have and the openings for these kids, we will make an impression on everyone this coming season.
 
nutman said:
I have been watching and reading up on our talent for the last year instead of following the Leafs themselves, and let me tell you I am impressed with what we have coming up. with the Coach we have and the openings for these kids, we will make an impression on everyone this coming season.
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I think the Leafs will make an impression, for sure, I'm also sure some things will happen that none of us could predict. We're on the outside like that. I don't doubt that Babcock wants nothing to do with a 30th place finish again ( quadruple negative? ) so there's that.
 
I don't know - it depends on what you define as "tank."  The demolition of the old guard is certainly nearing completion (Bernier is the only holdover that I don't think is part of the future).  This year, they're going to let kids/prospects play and decide on a core of the team going forward.  Technically speaking, the "tank" isn't over until the core of the team shows that they're a championship calibre squad.  After that, you start filling holes with pieces you're missing.

That very well could be this year if a whole bunch of things happen, but even if it doesn't, it's not the worst thing in the world - you keep accumulating high draft picks/high talent, and keep building internally.  The more assets you accumulate, the more likely you are to make deals for said missing pieces.
 
louisstamos said:
I don't know - it depends on what you define as "tank."  The demolition of the old guard is certainly nearing completion (Bernier is the only holdover that I don't think is part of the future).  This year, they're going to let kids/prospects play and decide on a core of the team going forward.  Technically speaking, the "tank" isn't over until the core of the team shows that they're a championship calibre squad.  After that, you start filling holes with pieces you're missing.
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I wouldn't necessarily say they have to show they're championship calibre, but, at the very least, they have to show they're more than a collection of promising young players and prospects - which is all they really are right now - before the team can take the next step. That's why, in another thread, I said it'll be at least another full season until the team starts the process of shifting gears from tear-down and asset collection to building.

The Leafs are still likely to be a pretty bad team this season (at least, in terms of wins and losses), and another top 5 pick is quite possible, if not probable. Matthews, Marner, etc., aren't going to be top flight players this season. It'll take a season or two for them to really get things going. There's going to be a lot of rookie mistakes and growing pains over the next couple seasons. They'll be a fun team to watch, but it'll take them some time to turn that talent into winning.

(Also, for holdovers that still need to be excised, you missed Lupul and Bozak, and possibly Komarov).
 
Yes, we should be better next season, however, it's too soon, IMHO, to leave the bottom 10, or better yet, the bottom 5 teams.

Why?  Because we need to ensure that we acquire another set of high picks next year to ensure a steady flow of good prospects are in the stable.  There are going to be some prospects that wash out, unfortunately, so, we need an abundance of prospects to take their places.

Let's not climb too high, too soon, and then get stuck in mediocrity once again.  We need to build up an inventory of players that will help sustain a truly competitive team for a sustained period of time.  Think L.A. and Chicago!

We need a little more pain!  JMHO.
 
bustaheims said:
(Also, for holdovers that still need to be excised, you missed Lupul and Bozak, and possibly Komarov).
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You know what's hilarious - because in all my "fantasy" GM rosters, and everyone else's on the board, they weren't listed - I basically completely forgot Bozak and Lupul were on the team!

Yeah, Komarov is an interesting case, but I think they'll keep him around until the team is ready to compete, which will probably coincide with his contract ending.  I'm not sure what'll happen after that.  That said, I wouldn't mind seeing Komarov partnered with either Matthews or Marner (or both!) on the 3rd line next year, as a sort of veteran, defensively responsible presence to go along with them.
 
At this point before the draft and free agency, it's really kinda silly to claim the team will or won't be one thing or the other.

There is a lot still to be done this summer, decisions on RFA's and upcoming waiver eligible players, the draft and free agency which could all have a fairly dramatic impact on how the team looks by the end of training camp.

So far so good, but let's wait and see.
 
While we are moving upwards from here, there is no rush to trade anything away for a #1 goalie.  We are still not going to make the playoffs next year so no need to waste valuable assets on trading for me.  We should try to draft on this offseason and see if we can get lucky.  In the meantime, let Sparks and Bibeau continue to mature and get better.  Just like Reimer, he took some time to get good and we be just as patient while that happens.  Bernier is not terrible.  He just needs to find his game back.  Or I would have no problem going the FA route and bringing back Reimer if needed as that costs us nothing but cap space.  We will need to rid ourselves of some contracts though but anything is possible (i.e. Clarkson, Phaneuf).
 
No.92 said:
While we are moving upwards from here, there is no rush to trade anything away for a #1 goalie.  We are still not going to make the playoffs next year so no need to waste valuable assets on trading for me.  We should try to draft on this offseason and see if we can get lucky.  In the meantime, let Sparks and Bibeau continue to mature and get better.  Just like Reimer, he took some time to get good and we be just as patient while that happens.  Bernier is not terrible.  He just needs to find his game back.  Or I would have no problem going the FA route and bringing back Reimer if needed as that costs us nothing but cap space.  We will need to rid ourselves of some contracts though but anything is possible (i.e. Clarkson, Phaneuf).
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Unless the goalie we trade for comes dirt cheap, I'd wait till closer to the expansion draft to make a move.  We're bound to take advantage of a team with 2 good goalies in their system that risk losing one for nothing in the expansion draft.
 
Bibeau all of a sudden looks like he may have some ability, they started him before Sparks in 2 and 3 and I believe he stole 2 and almost 3.
 
Highlander said:
Bibeau all of a sudden looks like he may have some ability, they started him before Sparks in 2 and 3 and I believe he stole 2 and almost 3.
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I doubt that he would have drafted if he didn't have some ability.  :o
 
Al14 said:
Highlander said:
Bibeau all of a sudden looks like he may have some ability, they started him before Sparks in 2 and 3 and I believe he stole 2 and almost 3.
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I doubt that he would have drafted if he didn't have some ability.  :o
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I mean big time ability, Sparks was drafted as well. Lets see what plays out A/14
 
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