RealGM

The draft is this Sunday just seeing what direction you guys think the team should go.

If they stay at 21 I'd be looking for the team to draft Bo Horvat, Gauthier, or Kerby Rychel

Moving down isn't an option for me but I would consider moving up to 7th if Monahan or Lindholm are sitting there.

Yeah, 7th would be nice. I, personally, think Monahan is going 5th and Nichuskin (who i'd love for the Leafs to draft, but they wont get him, even at 7, imo) goes 6. Leaves Lindholm and Nurse there, who are pretty good.

At 21, Horvat would be great, but I dont know if he makes it that far. Lazar or maybe even Pulock and Morrissey would be alright.

The Leafs should be able to net a pretty good player in the draft. Like the others, I'd be happy w/ Horvat, Lazar, Gauthier or Rychel. Horvat and Lazar would be my top 2 choices of those 4.

Speaking of the draft, I noticed Nathan MacKinnon deleted his tweet laughing at Leafs fans when Boston tied us in game 7. That definitely angered me and not really a fan of the kid as a result. He's going to be a great player but I hope he experiences defeat like the Leafs did. Friggin brat. I guess I'm still bitter about it.

Hope the Leafs grab Rychel or anyone with the highest upside in their slot. We're stacked at the wing and can afford to wait.

Also, I'd trade anyone save Kessel for Drouin.

Leafs just acquired Dave Bolland from Chicago, 3rd and 4th rd picks this year and 4th rdr next year.

Good trade.

I like the Gauthier pick up, when was the last time the Leafs drafted a Q player in the first round??

Meh. Dont like the selection, but dont hate it either. From what I read, he is very good defensively, and he is a well above average skater for his size, but he below average offensive skills. I feel like we drafted him because of a need, and not because he was the BPA. And, he doesnt use his size. He doesnt play a physical game at all. I watched some highlights of him at the U18, and you can see his speed and size. He really stands out, but what I noticed is that he skates and gets by some guys with the speed, but he cant do anything after except take a shot. He doesnt have the skill to make things happen. Some say his ceiling is Jordan Staal, which is great, but how often do guys really hit their ceilling?

With a guy like Hunter Shinkaruk, who is very skilled and still there, I would rather have him. He's small, but I think he can grow a little bit and bulk up and become stronger. He's like a Kessel 2.0. No joke, apparently he's awkward as ****, like Kessel, he looks like Kessel, and talks like Kessel. He dropped like a rock today. McKenzie had him at 14, I believe, and he ended up going 24th. His potential is a top 6 forward who puts up 25 goals a year or so. Cant believe we passed up on him.

EDIT: @jonasTSN1050: Leafs head scout Dave Morrison on Gauthier: "We just think there's some upside, how much offensively remains to be seen. But we're hopeful."

"Some upside"? "We're hopeful"? You're telling me that you took a guy in the first round and you're hopeful that his offensive game will improve? ffs.

I didn't really like it, but some of the write-ups I've heard have been promising. Apparently he's got a great motor to go along with a high IQ and his skating is decent.

Personally, I'm pretty happy with the pick. He's not going to be our #1 center [the search continues] but he can definitely be a huge part of this team's future. Having a big guy who can skate is a great asset. Then add in the fact that he's good at draws, knows how to play off the puck [huge indicator that he has a knack for the game IMO], and arguably the best 2-way center in the draft, then I think we have something to look forward for.

I'm not too concerned about passing on Shinkaruk. I have a feeling he was passed on because his skating combined w/ size won't translate to the NHL.

Shinkaruk reminds me of Kessel would have been a nice pick but hopefully Gauthier develops into a top 6 centre. Vancouver did get a steal with Shinkaruk that late though.