Maple Leafs "Tank" Tracker

The Maple Leafs have finally come to a productive turning point, that being the ownership and management in agreement that the team needs to be rebuilt properly. Take a look at the Edmonton oilers, Phoenix Coyotes, LA Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, or the Montreal Candiens that teams with varying exact strategies but effective rebuilds or rebuilds in progress. These are the examples that embarass the Leafs franchise which is lacking a lineup of bluechip prospects due to poor drafting and trading away assets over the years for veterans in return for failed playoff runs.

2008-2009 forward hopefully sees a new philosophy for team management in the new salary cap era...  even the RedWings who have been competive for a decade still have an amazing level of depth. The Leafs need to get their heads straight and start on the same path.  Interim Leafs General Manager, Cliff Fletcher who is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the 'Builder' category is the man in charge of bringing the Leafs to a boil where the team will simmer until a permanent replacement for the Leafs GM role is hired. I have full confidence in Fletcher to do his part well and keep a little dreamy about the thought that "Trader Cliff" hits another 'homerun' deal that mirrors the significance of the 1992 Doug Gilmour blockbuster.

The consensus is that the first step be for the Leafs to keep their role players, prospects and picks and build from within.  It will start with the next couple years at the bottom of the league to continue with strong drafts. We will follow the Leafs this year to see where they might be drafting in 2009!

Note that "Tanking" really isn't a realistic term for what we're watching. Tanking is implying intentional performance problems on the ice which isn't proper and not what the Leafs will do. Expect the Leafs to compete most night but also expect Fletcher to move assets for picks and younger prospects as the season moves on and the Leafs will probably settle somewhere in the bottom 10 in the league.

About "tanking", see: http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/steve_buffery/2008/11/05/7308781-sun.html

So....

How does the NHL Draft lottery system work?
http://www.hockey5.com/articles/p2_articleid/6449

Where do the Leafs sit in the League overall standings to date?

P.S. RE: JOHN TAVARES. Yes, the leafs would take Tavares in a heart beat, NOT Hedman. I think Hedman is great but the Leafs already have Schenn on the blue line and I'm not overly convinced Hedman is the next Pronger.... he has no interest in a physical game and is purely a very tall offensive dman.... I'll pass.  Tavares is a local boy and very marketable and especially he is a unique and multi talented player that a team can be built around.

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