The Importance of Drafting- A look at the past 20 years

[Crowned]

1988- Scott Pearson (6th overall)
1989- Scott Thornton (3rd overall), Rob Pearson (12th overall), Steve Bancroft (21st overall)
1990- Drake Berehowsky (10th overall)
1991- None
1992- Brandon Convery (8th overall), Grant Marshall (23rd overall)
1993- Kenny Jonsson (12th overall), Landon Wilson (19th overall)
1994- Eric Fichaud (16th overall)
1995- Jeff Ware (15th overall)
1996- None
1997- None
1998- Nik Antropov (10th overall)
1999- Luca Cereda (24th overall)
2000- Brad Boyes (24th overall)
2001- Carlo Coliacovo (17th overall)
2002- Alexander Steen (24th overall)
2003- None
2004- None
2005- Tukka Rask (21st overall)
2006- Jiri Tlusty (13th overall)


Our last few first rounders were solid, such as Steen, Boyes, Carlo, Rask and Tlusty. However, dating back to the late '80's, we've been absolutely terrible at drafting in the first round. In my opinion, that's one of the significant reasons as to why the Leafs haven't won a title since the 60's. Forget the "signing vets" excuse, a winning team needs to draft well in order to be successful. The above names just isn't acceptable. We drafted extremely well in the mid 80's, and then disaster struck.


In the new NHL with a salary cap, teams need to build a large portion of their team through the draft. First round draft choices are now becoming more valuable. Ask the Ducks how they built their roster. Ask the Sens how they built their roster as well, they'll tell you the same.

Are Leaf fans impatient? Let's predict that the Leafs select Hamil on Friday with our first round draft choice. We'll have the following youth in our system:

Justin Pogge
Jiri Tlusty
Kyle Wellwood
Alex Steen
Ian White
Carlo Coliacovo
Anton Stralman
Zach Hamill
Nikolai Kulemin
...and to a lesser extent, Reimer, Aubin, Williams, Vorobiev, Earl, Kronwall and Harrison.

If Justin Pogge becomes a starting goaltender, and if Jiri Tlusty, Kulemin, Steen and Hamill all become 2nd line calibre players...we'll be in pretty decent shape. Throw in Stralman, White and Carlo on the blueline, and Wellwood as a 1st/2nd line type of player, we're slowly building a core of players that could fit in long term with this team. Add some Free Agent signings, and we could be in a good situation in Toronto.


Our biggest problem lately hasn't been through trades or our inability to collect prospects. It has been the contracts handed out to certain players on this roster. That alone is what's holding this team back. I don't think JFJ is afraid to begin building youth through this organization, because he's slowly doing so, and it shows. His main problem is the contracts he has handed out, which could be linked to his inexperience as a GM. That alone is why he should get another chance next season to show what he can do. If he dumps Kubina or McCabe, and Sundin doesn't re-sign next season...he'll have more financial freedom to do what he pleases. I think it was too difficult to trade McCabe, Sundin or Tucker last deadline, his chance with the trio was 2 seasons ago.


I think Ferguson should sit back this offseason, and make no significant signings. Let Sundin expire at the end of the season, and trade McCabe or Kubina. Why? The 2008 potential crop of FA's is extremely solid, and we could have the opportunity to throw some money at some restricted FA's.

[Andrea>Dirk]

IMO It has to be a priority to trade either McCabe or Kubina this off-season.

[Griff83]

Good post.

Damn we really enjoy taking europeans in the first round (5 of the last 7). Our prospect pool is starting to get deeper and taking some shape with the potential steals of Kulemin/Stralman, but we still lack that elite level prospect. I think JFJ is trying to build a prospect pool similar to the Sabres in having alot of good young players and relying on there dpeth rather then a superstar (even though we dont have a Vanek like they do).

Its sadening when you look at teams like Anaheim, Ottawa, Nashville, Pittsburgh, San Jose to see that they are alredy legit teams that are contending and still have a ton of great prospects in there pipeline. Hopefully guys like Kulemin, Stralman, Tlusty, #13 pick in this years draft can be the backbone of this team going forward along with Wellwood, Steen, Carlo.

I dont necessarily agree that Ferguson should just sit back this offseason and do nothing, because thats basically telling our captain and best player we dont give a crap about trying to win a championship and he has given this franchise WAY too much to let him go out on a team that currently as is would be battling for a 8th seed. I still think moving one of McCabe/Kubina for a young forward/Pick is a necessary move that has to be made this year to clear up cap space to find Mats a winger. Mats contract will be expiring next year regardless so we'll have around 6 million plus whatever else we do to clear cap space to make a run at guys like Thornton, Marleau, Iginla.

If JFJ can add one of Gomez/Smyth this offseason and grab one of those big names FA's next season, Ill forgive him for the last 2 seasons of dissapointment.

[kelso]

You might have to strike Carlo off your youth depth list- I have heard a few times that JFJ is dangling Carlo and the #13th to move up into the top 6. I personally like Carlo, but I guess for the right player we should do it.

[Griff83]

You might have to strike Carlo off your youth depth list- I have heard a few times that JFJ is dangling Carlo and the #13th to move up into the top 6. I personally like Carlo, but I guess for the right player we should do it.

Ya Ive also heard rumours similar to that only it was #13 and White to move up in the draft. Either way we have a surplus of young defencemen and can sacrifice one in order to move up and get the player that we covet.

[Crowned]

If that's the case, then I think JFJ expects Stralman to make a run at a roster spot next season. If JFJ deals Carlo and our pick, he must have plans for Stralman (unless he plans on drafting a player like Alzner).

[Andrea>Dirk]

Hah Pray for Tavares

[Andrea>Dirk]

1995 - Toronto picked Jeff Ware over Petr Sykora, Jochen Hecht, and Marc Savard
1996 - Toronto picked Marek Posmyk over Tom Poti, Michal Roszival and Jan Bulis
1997 - Toronto picked Jeff Farkus over Maxim Afinaginov
1998 - Toronto picked Nikolai Antropov over Alex Tanguay, Scott Gomez, Simon Gagne, Jonathon Cheechoo , Mike Ribeiro, and Brian Gionta
1999 - Toronto picked Luca Cereda over Martin Havlat, Alex Auld,
2000 - Toronto picked Brad Boyes, our first good pick, and we trade him away.

[hugehoopsfan]

How is Tlusty's progress?