Commander Clueless Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Well, now we know...#4 overall is confirmed. Might as well ask the question: who are we going to ruin draft this year? A lot depends on who Arizona takes, of course, but the betting money would be on one of the forwards. So the question is, if Arizona takes one of Strome/Marner, do we take the other Ontario born forward, or big defender Noah Hanifin (risking the wrath of one Don Cherry)? On the chance that Arizona goes D, which of Strome/Marner is the better fit here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 @Commander Clueless I think the Yotes take Marner (Domi connection). I'm also thinking the Leafs take Strome (#1 centre they haven't had since Mats). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WordsOfWisdom Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 I wish the Leafs would take a defenceman. Everyone wants a flashy forward, but a top defenceman means more in today's game. Since the Leafs don't want any Canadians on their team, I guess they'll pick the first available Russian, Swede, or American player they can get their hands on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 @WordsOfWisdom Burkes gone. You might just see your very first OHLer drafted by the Leafs since black and white TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Clueless Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 Well Burkie did draft Kadri, but point taken. If Big Brian was still around, there's no doubt in my mind they'd snap up Hanifin if he fell to #4. As it stands, they still might (and for the record I'm good with that - we desperately need defense too), but I think Shanny and co. will lean Canadian. We'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 @Commander Clueless Well they have actually drafted a handful of other OHLers over the past 40 years. But considering the O puts more players in the NHL than any single league, and the Leafs sit dead center of it, you'd think they might actually scout and draft a bit more from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holymakinaw Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I wish the Leafs would take a defenceman. Everyone wants a flashy forward, but a top defenceman means more in today's game. Since the Leafs don't want any Canadians on their team, I guess they'll pick the first available Russian, Swede, or American player they can get their hands on. Totally agree with this point. I seriously doubt that Hanifin falls to us at 4th, but if he did.........Reilly and Hanifin for years to come would be amazing. I'd have zero problem with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 @Holymakinaw A few months ago Hanifan was a lock for 3rd. But now it's basically a coin toss for 3/4/5 it seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 The Leafs having Nylander and a very real opportunity to select Strome at #4 is literally the biggest thing to happened to that franchise since....well, at least way back in the 60's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottM Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 The Leafs having Nylander and a very real opportunity to select Strome at #4 is literally the biggest thing to happened to that franchise since....well, at least way back in the 60's. Of course, not much has happened since the 60's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 @ScottM The last time the Leafs had two legit scoring threats at center....the FDR administration was calling the shots!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WordsOfWisdom Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 @ScottM The last time the Leafs had two legit scoring threats at center....the FDR administration was calling the shots!! I think there was a brief period of time where they had Gilmour and Sundin. However, the last time the Leafs had a decent 1-2 punch (never mind two good players at the same position) was Sundin + Mogilny in 2003. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 @WordsOfWisdom Ahhh, totally forgot about the Sundin and Gilmour pairing....right you are sir....they played together for 3 years, and even though they are both centers.....they came together on the top pp for most of those years...little wonder Sundin had both his highest point totals for the last 2 years....83 and 91 pts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holymakinaw Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 @ScottM The last time the Leafs had two legit scoring threats at center....the FDR administration was calling the shots!! Hell, I'd be happy with the Leafs having just ONE legit scoring threat at Centre. The last time we had that was when Sundin was here, in 2007/08. We've had no #1 Centre for the last 7 years, and surprise, surprise.........one short playoff appearance. Who knows? Maybe with Strome, Kadri and Gauthier......the Centre position will soon be a strength for the Leafs, instead of a weakness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WordsOfWisdom Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Hell, I'd be happy with the Leafs having just ONE legit scoring threat at Centre. The last time we had that was when Sundin was here, in 2007/08. We've had no #1 Centre for the last 7 years, and surprise, surprise.........one short playoff appearance. Who knows? Maybe with Strome, Kadri and Gauthier......the Centre position will soon be a strength for the Leafs, instead of a weakness. Agreed. When you look at the Leafs in recent years, it's shocking how many holes the team has considering they always spend right up to the cap. They have a one dimensional right winger, a one dimensional left winger, a #2 center that is playing on line 1, an average goalie, and the team captain is a #2 or #3 defenceman on a winning team. They don't even have one dominant line or one dominant defensive unit! That is shocking! Winning teams have a "top 5" where all five players are better than anyone the Leafs have. Then they have a second unit that is as good as the Leafs best players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Maybe with Strome, Kadri and Gauthier......the Centre position will soon be a strength for the Leafs, instead of a weakness. I'm not 100% sold on the fact that Gautheir will be effective in the NHL. He's only an average skater at the junior level, usually when that is the case, the prospect is lagging behind at the NHL level. I do think there is room for improvement in that dept, power skating and figure skating have been known to help out prospects in that regard, but he will never be fleet of foot at the NHL level, that much I'm sure of. He's a big, smart physical dude and has all that stuff going for him, but in a league where strong skating is basically a prerequisite, he will always have to work for everything at the next level. Because of his lack of speed, he will have to work very hard to get from point A to point B in a respectable time. I think (and most will agree) that he projects out as a 3rd line defensive specialist in the NHL. He's gonna have trouble keeping up with the speedy top 6 forwards. Not saying he can't do it, but he will be consistently challenged to keep up with the pace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holymakinaw Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I'm not 100% sold on the fact that Gautheir will be effective in the NHL. He's only an average skater at the junior level, usually when that is the case, the prospect is lagging behind at the NHL level. I do think there is room for improvement in that dept, power skating and figure skating have been known to help out prospects in that regard, but he will never be fleet of foot at the NHL level, that much I'm sure of. He's a big, smart physical dude and has all that stuff going for him, but in a league where strong skating is basically a prerequisite, he will always have to work for everything at the next level. Because of his lack of speed, he will have to work very hard to get from point A to point B in a respectable time. I think (and most will agree) that he projects out as a 3rd line defensive specialist in the NHL. He's gonna have trouble keeping up with the speedy top 6 forwards. Not saying he can't do it, but he will be consistently challenged to keep up with the pace. Of course you're not sold on the Leaf prospect's chances. That's what they all say. Admittedly, I haven't seen much of his play yet, just the odd clip here & there. I can only go by what I read. But it looks promising. And his skating looks fine, from what I've seen and heard. Some have even described it as "excellent". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VscMfdOeG9w .......... Talent Analysis Gauthier is a polished prospect who combines great size with a mature game at both ends of the ice. The same on-ice vision and hockey sense that makes him a dangerous contributor at the offensive side of the game serves him well in breaking up opposing plays in his own zone. He is strong on the cycle, skates well and uses his size to win battles. Gauthier is very good in the face-off circle. Though he may never be a top offensive threat, he has too many tools to ignore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 @Holymakinaw Whoever told you that Gauthier's skaing was excellent needs some glasses. His skating is just ok....and he could very well be on the slow side when he makes the transition to NHL forward. He's a bottom six player who might just make a decent checking line center....not much offensive upside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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