THN.com: Fletcher failing Maple Leafs with poor decisions
The Leafs moved up two spots in the first round to grad Luke Schenn at No. 5. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
Brian Costello
2008-06-23 14:59:48
Toronto interim GM Cliff Fletcher got the man he wanted Friday at the entry draft, but paid a high price in doing so.
Fletcher moved up from the No. 7 draft position to No. 5 to secure rugged defenseman Luke Schenn from the Kelowna Rockets. In a perfect world, Schenn develops into an Adam Foote stay-at-home defenseman; a step down from that, maybe a Brendan Witt-type.
But in getting Schenn, the Leafs gave the New York Islanders the No. 7 pick (where Toronto likely would have had their choice between forwards Colin Wilson, Mikkel Boedker, Josh Bailey or Cody Hodgson) and two draft assets; an early third round pick and an early to mid-round second pick.
With a franchise so desperate for solid assets, giving up two early picks was something the Leafs simply could not afford to do. Even if Schenn turns out to be an Adam Foote in a few years, what support will he have? What good was Foote to the Columbus fortunes the past three seasons?
One of the picks the Leafs gave up to move up two spots in the draft was the No. 68 pick Saturday. Do No. 68 picks have much of a chance in turning out? Not really. In analysing the 25 players selected in the No. 68 spot between 1979 and 2003, only five had significant NHL careers (Tony Amonte, Jarkko Ruutu, Craig Rivet, Chris Tamer and Dave Karpa).
The second round pick the Leafs gave up – again we remind you, just to move up two spots in the draft – will come in 2009. In theory, that could be as early as No. 31, but to be reasonable, let’s say the Leafs perform slightly better in 2008-09 than they did this season (maybe I’m being generous).
Let’s say they finish somewhere between 17th and 21st, just out of the playoffs. That would give Toronto the No. 40 pick overall. That pick goes to the Islanders, thanks very much. Of the 25 players selected at No. 40 between 1979 and 2003, more than half went on to lengthy NHL careers. The best of the bunch were Chris Chelios, Bryan McCabe, Michael Peca, Jozef Stumpel, Mikael Renberg, Dave Christian, Fedor Tyutin, John Druce and John Chabot.
Even at the No. 44 draft position, 12 of the 25 became solid NHLers, the most notable being Mathieu Schneider, Guy Carbonneau, Ilya Bryzgalov, Paul Stastny, Mike Fisher, Jose Theodore, Mathieu Garon, Nelson Emerson and Jordan Leopold.
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So it’s reasonable to suggest the Leafs gave up two future NHLers (the No. 7 pick and the better than 50-50 chance that one of the two other picks turns out) for what effectively will become a solid stay-at-home defenseman.
Is this how winners are built?
Fletcher’s expensive move to jump up two spots in the draft shouldn’t have happened at all if only he had been more successful in executing his mandate when he was brought in to replace John Ferguson.
Fletcher’s task was to see the team through to the next GM by culling the high-priced dead wood and set the early tone for the rebuilding phase. He wasn’t able to move the Muskoka Five with no-trade clauses, but he could have and should have shuffled more developing and inexperienced players in from the AHL’s Marlies and usurped coach Paul Maurice’s attempts to win games at all costs when making the playoffs was the longest of long shots.
Toronto won 12 of 17 games from Feb. 16 to March 22 (getting 25 of a possible 34 points) riding Vesa Toskala in net, when Justin Pogge and Andrew Raycroft should have been spelled in for the good of the organization.
If the Leafs would have won just three fewer games during that stretch – and still secured 19 of a possible 34 points – they would have finished fourth last in the league standings and not have had to give up two draft assets to jump up two spots in the draft. They would have had their choice between Alex Pietrangelo or Luke Schenn.
Fletcher’s greatest failing is not the expensive trade he made Friday, but not using his managerial power more effectively in February and March.
Brian Costello is The Hockey News’s senior special editions editor and a regular contributor to THN.com. You can read his Top 10 list on Wednesdays and his blog each weekend.
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
Red Friesen (Posted 2008-07-07 09:43:52)
good colum thei Brian,we used to have so much fun with the fastball hype in THe Sun in SC???? You have done well,way to go,chk out my page called wildpitch.at www.wildpitch.webs.com,my story on my career,I us your blog .with full credts,is it ok? this copy rite stuff one never knows ,Im retred,stayed in in SC till 97 then went to cjcy in hat un til retirement in 2001.31 years in the media .long enuff,Pal!!!send me you email and lets stay in touch,I sure loved hyping up the fans with you it was great ,have you a my space ?
so long for now
Red
Roller (Posted 2008-06-25 23:39:00)
The Leafs need solid picks? What do you think getting a top 5 pick is? If you actually look at the draft archives and see the kind of players drafted, you will see that there have been many very good picks in the top 5. They're more of a sure thing. And most of the players picked in the late 30's to mid 40's range have been busts. Most have either didn't last long, or didn't even make it to the NHL. A lot of the ones who actually stuck around weren't exactly great players. What you get alot of in that range is MEDIOCRE players. Getting Schenn was a solid move and should pay dividends in the long run.
Also, it's not Fletcher's fault he couldn't trade away most of the assets he could part with. The good players that he wanted to get rid of had no-trade clauses, and the deadwood that he wanted to get rid of he couldn't do all that much because there wasn't much of a market. Mind you he did manage to salvage a few draft picks for the 2nd-5th rounds (which seems to be the kind of picks that make Brian's mouth water) for some depth players.
(Posted 2008-06-25 11:25:04)
scheen owns life!!!
Neil Mac Innis (Posted 2008-06-25 06:34:05)
Yikes, What an awful article Costello. Ummmm Where was Zetterberg drafted? And what is this continued nonsense about Foote? Who has been making all of these suggestions?
Foote in his prime was every bit a franchise defenseman. Hard hitting, and a nightmare to play against. Didn't help Colombus so much, well then again what has Nash done for that team? What has any player?
Schenn is going to be an even better player a Luke Schenn type player. Easily one of the weakest rhetorical articles on hockey I have ever read.
billy rempel (Posted 2008-06-24 18:34:09)
if you want to make a realistic comparison on those second and third round picks of past drafts you should include all the bums and duds also!
that might not make for an intresting article though.
RedToronto (Posted 2008-06-24 17:55:54)
Tremendous points, it is nice to know there are other people who see the situation clearly.
Fletcher has undewhelmed me so far, nice move with Gill...but to let go of Wellwood, who at least has upside, so quickly? But then this is the same organization that gave away Steve Sullivan. Apparently it's Wellwood's fault the Leafs missed the playoffs the last season.
Why not fire Maurice sooner (before the late playoff charge) and hire a coach or use an interim coach with the mandate to develop young players (a positive) and simultaneously drop in the standings (also a positive).
And Sundin...zzzzzz....first he screws the Leafs over (I am convinced he is not returning) and now playing one more season is NOT a hard decision, my God, he is like an 18 year veteran, he knows what is involved in playing one more season, stop waffling "Captain". I wonder how long it took Sundin's significant other to say yes to Sundin's marriage proposal...I don't know Mats, I need a few months to think about it, stay knealt down until I know for sure, it's not like I have gotten to know you all these years so I need to waffle for a while. ha ha ha
Michael Mattsson (Posted 2008-06-24 17:00:37)
"That trade to move up in the draft to get Schenn was a great trade". Only someone who drinks the Toronto kool-aid would say this. Schenn is NOT Bobby Orr. Schenn is NOT a franchise player. Schenn will not score 30 goals. He "may" become a decent defenceman. nothing more. It's astounding that Fletcher would waste a 5th overall pick on a defenceman who many analysts had as a 2nd round pick.
Toronto has one of the worst draft records in this 30 team league - everyone outside of GMT can see it, strange how not many inside can - even after 40 years proof.
Kyle (Posted 2008-06-24 15:57:14)
Tucker is way past his prime and for a short time he did have a goal scorers touch, however short of time it was.
Jay-R Obviously hes not the scorer he once was he`ll be lucky to get
5-10 goals but 15-20 was not bad for a guy who is a gritty of a player u`ll ever come across.
And is 2 years removed from a 27 goal season.
All i`m mean is Jamel Mayers is nothing more than a healthy Darcy Tucker
,a leader. Minus his score ablitly. So that dosen`t say much about Mayers scoring ability
And is it just me or do u all feel that wellwood got let go too early this kid had talent, its a shame he couldn`t stay healthy.
Dave Sobanski (Posted 2008-06-24 15:34:34)
You can't blame any of the Leaf competitors, top to bottom, for believing they can make it to the finals. If everyone were to be committed teamwise & athletically, on the same plane as their beliefs, there is a viable chance.
Caz (Posted 2008-06-24 14:45:39)
Leaf fans better learn how to spell their future captain's name correctly before hailing him as their saviour. It is S-C-H-E-N-N. Not Shenn or Scheen.
Luke Shenn (Posted 2008-06-24 14:26:37)
I am the real deal!
(Posted 2008-06-24 14:25:43)
this article is a joke....joke i say!!!....shenn is amazin and the move to trade us was spectacular!!!!!...
p.s. brian u'r wrong
Jay R (Posted 2008-06-24 13:53:39)
Kyle refers to Tucker as "offensive??" How many did he score last year??
Caz (Posted 2008-06-24 13:02:00)
For those saying the draft is a shot in the dark - Why are you defending a trade to give up 2 picks just to move up 2 spots if it's such a crap shoot? That logic is severely flawed. The more lottery tickets you have, the better your odds are at hitting the jackpot.
O-DOG (Posted 2008-06-24 12:55:58)
they shouid have taken Filatov or an other forward not him if you added Foote or Witt to the Leafs that would still not be contending for the playoffs. if they got a serious winger they would be closer to a playoff spot that if they took Schenn. he is good but he is not an impact PPG player im not saying he is bad but you could have done better with a guy like Filatov or sombody else.
(Posted 2008-06-24 12:31:20)
what a ridiculous article. schenn is the real deal-nasty,physical, a great leader, competitive. all the qualitites that the entire leaf roster lacks. according to draft reviews, he's more ready than any of the top picks other than stamkos to step in now and be effective. to say that there are other
Kyle (Posted 2008-06-24 12:24:05)
If you here listen to what the scouts were saying , the top six fowards were A + players.
Possible franchise players with anyone of the six, u look at where the leafs are now, who do they have as a shutdown guy, no1, natta all we have on the Blueline are softies that can pass, Luke Scheen can pass just as good as the other top 4 d, but what seperates them is that Schenn is a total shutdown type player that brings character, leadership.
The other 3 Bogosian, Doughty, Pietranglelo, are gift offenive players but they don`t bring it like this kid does, he hits like phaneuf and has a shot like pronger , given time to develop this kid is gonna be a studd on the blueline for years to come , and our furture captin. The leafs will get the offensive gems down the road but to pass on this kidd is utter insaninty, Hodgson,Boedker, Baily, Wilson will all be fin NHL players but will never have an impacted a Luke Scheen type player will have, U thinkl the Wings would have won the cup without the Studds on the D , even with Dastuyk and Zetterberg. Stop smoking that crap and pull ur head out of ur ass , the leafs did right now stopin complaining.
Mayers also adds Character (the new darcy tucker if u will) Minus The Offensive
Blue and white (Posted 2008-06-24 11:49:50)
All drafts are a crap shoot. Leafs have so many needs and given the fact that all of last seasons top 4 defenceman will be gone within 2 years makes the moves to get Schenn reasonable. At least they had a first round pick this year!
Caz (Posted 2008-06-24 11:48:10)
The Leafs got the guy they wanted but I agree they gave up too much. Schenn will be a solid defenseman for many years but I would not build my team around him. Adam Foote was a key part of the Avalanche but you need to get players like Sakic, Forsberg and Roy to build around first. There was not much seperating picks 5 through 10 and if I was Fletcher, I would've done either 1) Give up a little more to land Doughty or Bogosian 2) Do like the Islanders and drop a few spots and get more draft picks and still have a top 10 pick or 3) Keep the 7th pick and still get a solid player and keep your other picks. The key to the draft is picking the best available player regardless of position. It takes a few years for players to develop and just because you have a need in one position, doesn't mean you will have that same need in a few years. Schenn is a safe pick but I would be just as happy with Filatov, Wilson, Boedker, Bailey or Hodgson. I won't be surprised if 2 or 3 of those players develop into stars. Leafs will miss the playoffs again next year but for all you Leaf fans there is a bright side. Brayden Schenn is projected to be a top 5 pick for the 09 draft and may join his older brother Luke. Be patient Leaf Nation.
Shawn Perry (Posted 2008-06-24 11:45:18)
This article is bang-on. You trade up to get an impact player. Luke Schenn is not that kind of guy. A solid stay at home guy is as good as it gets with him. And what about that Mayer trade?? For a team with precious little in the cupboard, Fletcher really has my head scratching.
New York Ranger Fan (Posted 2008-06-24 11:17:26)
This article makes no sense. You can't base an entire future off one draft. Rebuilds take a few years. The leafs got a potential franchise defenseman, now they need to fill in the system with new pieces. Next year they can look at a top end forward or something. They need to get all the pieces...saying that he failed based on one draft is stupid.
Dj (Posted 2008-06-24 10:43:10)
They should have thrown the season instead of dreaming for an 8th playoff spot.
max (Posted 2008-06-24 10:12:56)
Wow, Looks like someone ran out of stuff to write... I hate the leafs and even I'm saying that it was a solid move. The media nowadays is all bs.
Kyle (Posted 2008-06-24 09:13:14)
Really all you people out there trashing fletchers moves , you really should just shut the hell up becuase its been maybe 3 or 4 days since the draft and ur already trashing his picks. How about we just wait at least a year before saying all this Crap.
I`m a die hard leafs fan watch everything
to do with the leafs and i`m sick and tired of all these people thinking they know everything.
The fact is ur not in his position u dopn`t know why they picked who they did, so please to all you dumb people bashing the leafs for no other reason than to jump on that band wagon ,that think you know everyhting . Just shut your mouhts ,wait and you will see down the line.
Cliff Fletcher Has been in the game for more than 2 decades has a stanley cup loads of experince and know-how .
Now ask yourself , What the hell do you know .
Let the guy do his job, or do you all want some1 like fergie back........ didn`t think so.. shut it.
Luke Scheen will be a primier shutdown defensemen for years to come.
Nikta filatov may play in Russia , down the road , so would u rather get a sure fire prospect or a russian u may lose in 5 years.
John (Posted 2008-06-24 08:51:21)
Guys the point of the article is that Fletcher did not do everything possible to rebuild the Leafs. Ya, probably trading a 2 and 3 to move up was worth it and that is good but the authors point is that this should never have happened in the first place. I've been a Leaf fan my entire life and the last 5-7 years the rallying cry is " if we make the playoffs anything can happen" It is the rabbit trying to catch the carrot on the string. That is not the way to win championships. Problem is they brainswashed Sundin into believing that too and then the Muskoka 5 held Fletcher captive. Now instead of a first rnder, and a good young player for Sundin we might get a 2nd rounder yipee.
Jamal Mayers, now that one stinks.
Vasil (Posted 2008-06-24 08:11:57)
I completely agree with Brian Costello. I wouldn't have felt so bad about giving up the draft picks if we had landed Filatov..but it seems this organization is guided more by the fan's wish on fan websites than on what actually needs to be done to rebuild the organization. I have a sense that Peddie ordered Fletcher to get Schenn at all costs. The Leafs will shortly learn the short sightedness of the Schenn pick (as opposed to Filatov) when Filatov becomes a star and when Schenn becomes a steady 3rd or 4th defenceman.
Matt Wilson (Posted 2008-06-24 07:30:17)
I can't stand this constant media bashing. No matter what Leafs management do, you media types always pounce on them. I'm the first one to admit that the Leafs situation is an utter mess, and it will take time to clean it up. It isn't Fletcher's fault he couldn't trade guys with no-trade clauses, that's the whole point of a player getting a no trade clause!! You can't blame Fletcher for Ferguson's mistakes. I would've liked to see 2 top 10 draft picks, and would've been fine if he had dealt a roster player like Antropov for the number 5 pick, but I think he did well to get the player they wanted. And what's more, with the lack of transfer agreements between the NHL and Europe it's a risk taking European talent. You can never go wrong with a rugged d-man like Schenn, and the draft is a shot in the dark anyway. This team is going to take a few years to turn around, and I can't stand you media types who expect it tomorrow.
Mick (Posted 2008-06-24 01:33:24)
The Draft is basically a shot in the dark after number 1 anyway, you draft at the top and get Alex Daigle or you draft from the bottom and get a Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Kiprusoff. It's all about the scouting, for sure, the Leafs would have most definitely taken Filatov if this was previous years and ended up with some kind of no transfer hassle. Luke Schenn, future captain as far as I'm concerned, a great move by a team that is in need of some form of hope.
GBetteman (Posted 2008-06-24 00:24:34)
Good God. Comparison's to Adam Foote? All is lost when comparisons to an NHL hatchet-man are the best you can come up with for a youngster. Foote, ye of marginal talent, was not so fleet of foot and was forced to compensate with sharp elbows and butt-ends. I surely hope, no...make that expect Schenn to be a better player than Foote but only time will tell. Not exactly sure why fletch felt compelled to lose draft picks though.
Bryan (Posted 2008-06-23 23:31:30)
I have to agree with Brian here. If your team is rebuilding you do not give up an extra 2 high picks to move up 2 spots. Sure Schenn had a good junior career, and sure he might turn into an Adam Foote, but what about the other players that were there. They could turn out to be just as good or better. If the Leafs are indeed rebuilding they just gave up another 2 prospects that they could develop. Also Fletcher goes and gives up a 3rd pick for Mayers who is turning 34 this year with 2 years left around 1.4 mill. Your telling me they couldn't have given this spot to say Robbie Earl and used the 3rd to help rebuild?
Great article Brian.
The Man (Posted 2008-06-23 22:10:47)
YOU ARE SO WRONG!!!!!.....LUKE SHENN OWNS LIFE AND HE'LL OWN YOU....just wait bucko
Cliff Fletcher (Posted 2008-06-23 22:07:19)
Teams don't deliberately lose games. Losing is for losers...well, that, and writing dumb blogs on the internet.
As for Adam Foote...um, you DO know that he was well past his prime when he signed with Columbus, right? And that there is no comparison whatsoever with teenager Luke Schenn who was just drafted, right? Ok? Good. Seriously, what on earth are you proving by saying that Foote didn't really help the Jackets? What does that have to do with Luke Schenn?
Let's wait and see how the offseason plan unfolds before blowing a bunch of media hot air, shall we? Of course this won't happen, but it would be nice if it did for a change.
Joe Blake (Posted 2008-06-23 21:48:39)
Coulda, woulda, shoulda ... I'd agree that winning a few less games down the stretch would have helped in the entry draft . A few more losses would not have p'd off Leave fans given their futility record last several years.
Too bad they could not have unloaded Sundin before the trade deadline.
I would think they could have snagged another 1rst round draft for him. If
he does sign as UFA with Habs ( or any other team) they get squat. At least they would have $6 mill to spend .
george (Posted 2008-06-23 21:35:20)
What's with the media thinking teams should play poorly to get a better draft pick. All last season, jackasses on TSN were asking why the leafs would want to go on a winning streak because they should be trying to get Stamkos. Ridiculous. That's called throwing hockey games. You can't do it, its anti trust and collusion. There's also a thing called team pride. Does the media want a whole team to lie down and play poorly? I would lose all respect for a team if they appeared to be mailing it in if a 1st over all pick was realistic if they did. putting in a rookie goaltender doesn't mean a team is going to lose 12 straight anyway, let alone 3.
Bob Walsh (Posted 2008-06-23 20:30:53)
You are suggesting that the leafs should have tanked a couple of games to get a better draft position? I think I have lost all respect for you and I'm not even a Leafs fan. Schenn will be a good defenseman for many years. You have to start somewhere and build one step at a time. The Leafs will be better next year because of the moves made so far. You don't build a cup winner in one year or one draft.
jrl (Posted 2008-06-23 20:10:49)
I don't think it realistic to suggest Fletcher could have done more earlier. The players he most needed to trade or those who would yield the most draft picks refused to go. It couldn't have been that there was any collusion between the players saying that we'll stick together and all refuse, could it? And in reality he traded two draft picks for Schen. If Schen is a star and the other two are average players, its great a great trade. Only time will tell. The general manager is pretty limited with the lousy hand dealt to him. And the only way to get a superstar in the draft is to go first, or by pure luck if you are relying on a later pick.
Bill Placzek (Posted 2008-06-23 19:38:48)
Luke Schenn was worth whatever they had to give up, plain and simple.
It is so easy to write a book on Young guns based on stats and not watching the players. You need to watch Schenn, because he is the "human eraser" and a Canadian cornerstone, not a second line play-making forward or possible second round centre in the guys "they could have waited to pick without a trade-up." Big difference in the draft. The real deal, not a maybe guy that you want to draft.
someleafsfan (Posted 2008-06-23 19:03:53)
Everyone seems to think that this article was written to slam Fletcher for moving up. It wasn't. It was written to slam Fletcher for NOT firing Paul Maurice when he was hired.
LeaferSutherland (Posted 2008-06-23 18:54:23)
Back at the deadline when Fletcher traded Hal Gill for a 2nd and a 5th, people were dumping on him for not doing enough, or anything noteworthy.
Now he trades a 2nd and a 3rd for Luke Schenn, and the sky is falling on our future hopes and dreams?
Me? I'll gladly up the 5th to a 3rd in order to transform a Gill into a Schenn.
Andrew C (Posted 2008-06-23 18:40:28)
It's sometimes hard to accept the truth for some leaf fans. I agree it was a steep price to pay but think he'll be a quality pick in the long run. I was sickened with Fletcher's lack of action after he took over. The truth - he was just a figure head for the MLSE board and didn't want to make the tough decisions necessary start the rebuilding process. He said the right things at the time but didn't deliver.
TheMetalChick (Posted 2008-06-23 18:36:59)
I dont think things seem as bad as this article says. The Leafs drafted a great player with a lot of potential. Id still rather be in the Isles position right now, but I dont see a reason why the Leafs cant win in this deal, too.
Harry (Posted 2008-06-23 18:30:35)
Let's give the leafs a break here. I mean honestly I think just about ever media outlet was loving this kid. He was a top five pick. I mean how the heck could be he considered a second rounder? He's great at what he does. They have the goaltending, they don't have the D and they may need offense sure, but defense wins championships. I bet if Zetterburg got hit my Shenn he wouldn't be as sure of himself on the puck. Just because no one was able to make the Red Wings regret touching the puck doesn't mean everyone can. I mean honestly last year this would have been the Leafs making a great move to get a good Canadian shutdown defenseman like the ducks had. Honestly just cause Detroit won the cup doesn't mean people can copy them. Honestly I don't think Detroit can do it again. That was a once in a long while everything clicks chemistry for the team. Just cause he isn't short and fast doesn't mean he can't play. Defense wins championships. It always has and it always will.
jfa j (Posted 2008-06-23 18:00:22)
this artitcle is horribile
(Posted 2008-06-23 17:26:26)
This is such a terrible article, it's absolutely hilarious.Those second and third rounders the Leafs gave up for a Top Five franchise player will come back to bite them? give me a break, seriously. Time for you Leaf haters to get over yourselves and for once maybe praise a move they've made, because it was an outstanding choice.
Mr. William (Posted 2008-06-23 17:15:21)
The Leafs sure did give up a lot to move up only two spots but considering their horrible draft record I can see why they did it. They could have found quality players with those other picks if they had good scouts but since they don't it was a smart move to go after someone that pretty much everyone agreed would be a decent NHLer.
embarrasedleaffan (Posted 2008-06-23 17:00:03)
i agree completely with the article. unfortunately leaf fans, like their management, are just plain stupid.
Jay R (Posted 2008-06-23 16:56:05)
Connor:It's not "trendy" to hate the Leafs,it's easy and tradition!!!!!
A.K. (Posted 2008-06-23 16:41:24)
Terrible article. it's been awhile since ive so thoroughly disagreed with EVERYTHING said in article on this site, but here we are. clueless and terrible.
bostongm (Posted 2008-06-23 16:32:19)
Is it really tanking when you're trying to build Raycrofts stock so they can trade him more easily? Throw in Pogge as well and see how he handles the pressure of an impossible play-off run. It was a win-win situation for the Leafs last season,but the leafs showed.....they dont have a vision. The gm stated before..."we only want players that are under 30 years old". one month later they trade for a 34 year old 3rd line winger. they say they want a gm in place before they hire a coach...then they hire Wilson. then they name Fletcher gm. this team doesnt know how to do anything.Well anyways.......keep it up leaf-land......the more you stay the same......the more points my Bruins get off you.
D.B.Stinson (Posted 2008-06-23 16:31:42)
The article is very directed and true; with the exception that having Pogge in Goal would probably have allowed the Leafs to win three more games with no difference in the draft picks.
If anyone in the organization should go besides Fletcher it should be Toskala; unless he is the second goalie with the team
dbs
Connor W (Posted 2008-06-23 16:29:27)
So trendy to hate on the Leafs, I understand. The fact of the matter is that the leafs gave up their 2nd round selection, which granted was early enough to possibly generate a good prospect, to secure the swap from 7th to 5th overall. Im not even going to worry about the 3rd rounder since thats just too tough to call. However, giving up this second rounder is totally worth the gain from moving up from what would be an uncertain choice of a forward prospect to one of the "big four" defenseman in the draft. Cliff is doing what he need to do to secure not only prospects for the leafs, but also quality prospects. Even if Schenn doesnt pan out the way theyre hoping (and somehow Boedker becomes the next Forsberg)you have to admit this is a smart move.
Maxime (Posted 2008-06-23 16:24:06)
@Vince Hovinga : He isn't saying the Leafs should have tanked. They should have seen their early outing as an opportunity to give some experience to the future young players. You're out of the playoffs, so what's the worth of riding your best players to the core? Maurice thought he could save his job by winning, so he played Toskala, hanging to slim hopes he could stay in TO. But his job was already lost, and playing Pogge would have given him great experience for next season. Doing so, it isn't hard to conclude the Leafs would have in fact lost a game or two more then they did. So what would have happenned in this scenario? The Leafs get eliminated (not so different from what actually happenned), Pogge gets 10-15 games under his belt, the Leafs get the 5 th pick instead of the 7th (gettting Schenn, just like what happenned), and they don't have to sacrifice 2 other picks...I don't call this tanking. I call this "being a good team manager". A hockey club doesn't start itself up in October and die in June : you always have to consider the future.
Jeff (Posted 2008-06-23 16:14:10)
Fletcher is building from the net out. So he logically wanted one of the 'blue chippers' on D.
Why the heck would the habs even bother discussing anything with Sundin until after July 1st?
I agree with Vince - 'tanking' is lame no-matter how you slice it. Have some integrity.
Jay R (Posted 2008-06-23 15:43:46)
Blame Peddie for hiring an "interim" GM!! MLSE is a disgrace to sports.Maybe they'll sign Emery to shore up their goaltending.Whooo!!!!
Gordon Topaze (Posted 2008-06-23 15:32:24)
Your story should be about the most self centered center the Leaf have ever employed....Sundin. and the stupidest GM the League has ever seen in Ferguson.
The only leadership shown by Sundin was in leading the Group of 5 with no trade deals. to cut the Leafs off at the knees and by going out...after all was lost...and winning a few games by playing better then they have played over the past three years...
Write about a GM who was paying the organization back by making all the stupid decisions over the past several years...Fletcher is in the toughest of all positions, in that he must correct all the crap inflicted by a GM in over his head, and self-centered center!
Already TML are in a better position to win thx to the departure of Sundin.
Sol Koodoo (Posted 2008-06-23 15:31:43)
I couldnt' agree with this article more, Fletcher is failing in every aspect he set out to correct upon his hiring. I love just sitting back and watching the Leafs fall apart. Cliff Fletcher reminds me of Mr Magoo...just wandering around blindly.
(Posted 2008-06-23 15:12:38)
i would agree with all that you said if toronto actually had good scouting. But they don't so chances are they would of drafted a couple of terrible european players anyways with those picks, so it doesn't really matter.
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