They only need to be in the top 5 and that'll be a win. If they win the lottery and pick first overall it won't be a defenseman that they 'll be drafting.
2025-2026 Leafs Season
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I don't know the calbre of guys in the draft, but unless there's a huge gap between forward and D, I'm taking the D.
I'd even trade down and pick up some prospects and take the D, if the guy has real upside.
There's a couple of D-men who are projected top 5 picks who the Leafs should be looking at.
Leafs should take the BPA with their draft pick, whomever they think it is. If you look at NHL and system talent under 25, the Leafs are probably bottom 5 in the league at both D and forward.
They should not be drafting based on NHL roster needs at this time since their current roster is pretty old. The timelines don't really match..
And usually a top 5 pick D, will still take until they are at least 21, to become an above average NHL D. Schaeffer is an exception of course.
Obviously the Leafs would prefer a top 5 pick in 2026, versus a likely one in 2028. But if they do lose their 2026 pick, at least they will get a very good pick in 2028 instead of losing it. The Leafs can take a crack at it in 2027 with a re-tool. Then the6 move on with the necessary full rebuild one year earlier in the summer of 2027 since they will now own that 2028 pick
They should not be drafting based on NHL roster needs at this time since their current roster is pretty old. The timelines don't really match..
And usually a top 5 pick D, will still take until they are at least 21, to become an above average NHL D. Schaeffer is an exception of course.
Obviously the Leafs would prefer a top 5 pick in 2026, versus a likely one in 2028. But if they do lose their 2026 pick, at least they will get a very good pick in 2028 instead of losing it. The Leafs can take a crack at it in 2027 with a re-tool. Then the6 move on with the necessary full rebuild one year earlier in the summer of 2027 since they will now own that 2028 pick
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One NYI down and Carolina, Ottawa, Boston to go. Three more regulation losses can get them back in the hunt for bottom 5. Sets up their 2 following games with NYR and St. Louis.
McKenna and Stenberg are very close. Leafs should have about a 1 in 8 chance of getting one of the two in the lottery.
McKenna and Stenberg are very close. Leafs should have about a 1 in 8 chance of getting one of the two in the lottery.
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That's exactly why you draft D early in the process, because they take time to mature.
This is not a retool that some 1st/2nd year player will put you over the top.
Our D is below average and most of them over 30, with only one decent prospect on the farm who's a stay at home defenceman...not that there's anything wrong with that.
It's basically a rebuild with a couple of very good players on it who may not even be around for long.
That pick will go to either Boston or Philly. It's best to make the playoffs in 2027.
The real reason why only a 5-game suspension is to avoid player appeals and arbitrator involvement and getting lazy ass Bettman to do more work. Because of this recklessness by the DOPS, a player's career will end.
Parros sounds like a press secretary for the U.S. State Department.
Panel did a good job calling out every bit nonsense.
Leafs have 70 pts.
There are 6 other teams with between 70 and 72 pts.
One win can screw this all up.
Doing it against an impressive Carolina team. The guys still have some pride. Others are playing for jobs next season so once in a while you'll see good efforts like this.Eventeams get a point once in a while.
