buick1957

leafs have to start drafting and start rebuilding with youth if they want to ever see a cup, every other team is doing it

gabriel

I agree, especially on the "youth" part. A good position in the draft would be great for them; in their position, I would even trade some veterans for draft picks and get, literally, brand new faces to the squad.

At this point, they should really focus on building a good team in 2, maybe even 3 seasons, because in my opinion only a miracle (Stamkos?) could lift Toronto as much as they would need to get to playoffs as serious contenders.

So many years were wasted anyway, use the years to come to build something that could last.

buick1957

picking up old players instead of using the draft, I would love the Leafs to draft Del Zotto from Oshawa Generals a defensemen and following june draft Tavares but guess I'm dreaming

TylerDCA

People talk an awful lot about building through the draft.

No team has completely turned around from the draft alone. It takes years of being bad (like bottom 5 bad) build a team through the draft, and even then it doesn't guarantee getting good.

Yes it is important to draft well, and trading future prospects for veteran help is much riskier now than before, but it must be augmented with smart signings and smart trades.

Look at Anaheim.

Drafted:

Getzlaf
Perry
Kunitz (undrafted signy)

Traded/Signed:
Niedermayer
Niedermayer
Pronger
Schneider
Giguerre
Selanne

The only team is that largely players they drafted themselves is Detroit, and their best players NONE were taken in the first round.

Its really quite a bit of a crap shoot. I am hoping the Leafs get a top 5 pick this year, and make some smart moves for prospects. The other issue is that if it takes you 4-5 years accumulate your core youth, you are going to start losing guys to RFA under the current cap system. What you need is a good group of guys who all get better at the same time, then augment them with some veterans.

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Amoroq

All I want from this 2 game stint vs the Flyers is some kind of proportionate response to Downie sucker punching Blake in the eye. Thats it thats all.

What used to be the strongest part of the Leafs, their toughness, has become the weakest. Tonight and tomorrow only I want to see a hard physical game from this bunch.

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My Local OHL Team Niagara IceDogs
The Scoreboards
"Dont worry, if the Leafs made a run for the cup, the security guards at the HHOF would stop them."

Spasmic Dan

These are confusing times...

Its kind of strange how when the Leafs scored to tie it up last night, my body cheered but my mouth cursed. Why can't they either just deal with being a bottom feeder or actually deal with their problems? This mediocrity is killing us.

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"Toronto shorthanded goal...his 4th goal of the season.....his 3rd goal of the game....and the 500th goal of his NHL career...scored by number 13, Mats Sundin!"

Brings a tear to the eye....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDKsr...eature=related

buick1957

not just draft alone but bringing young players is where its at, trading for youth is the only way such as bring players up from the Marlies, just take a look at Montreal what they were doing while the crazy Leafs have been signing free agents or old men!

TylerDCA

Last night was the worst possible outcome.

I really hope *sigh* that they lose tonight, and stop this misery. Then they can play some of the kids and see what happens (hopefully Pogge too).

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buick1957

I agree! stop winning so we can get some top picks and plus the Marlies are contenders, why not send back the Marlie players instead of wasting there time up with this team since the Marlies can win the Calder Cup!

TylerDCA

Yes and no. Ppl saying that you need to trade every player over 30 don't know what they are talking about. These young players still need to learn from someone.

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