[Brent]

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!

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?

[Walesy]

I know that me being a Habs fan, I have no place for opinion here, but i'm going too anyways. I think that in the past season the Leafs have improved ten fold. And its all about the management. With the changes they have made it seems that they will start to grow from within which is essential in today's capped NHL IMO.

Good luck going after that first round pick this year. I don't think the team is that bad, but, time will tell.

[Brent]

lol. no way, Leafs suck, they must tank!! (sounds strange from a Leafs fan eh) .........I agree that Wilson should be able to make a team outa the faces we have now,,, I just don't want to be optimistic right now as a bottom pick right now is more exciting then a triumphant season this year.

[Walesy]

Originally Posted by Brent

lol. no way, Leafs suck, they must tank!! (sounds strange from a Leafs fan eh) .........I agree that Wilson should be able to make a team outa the faces we have now,,, I just don't want to be optimistic right now as a bottom pick right now is more exciting then a triumphant season this year.

Do you still agree with this statement after a month of play. I still say that you don't have a team with last place potential.....I think they could make the playoffs this year, but, who knows.

[Brent]

I still agree with the statement,,, mainly it is just a fascination or excitement with the thought of having another top draft pick. Otherwise I've REALLY enjoyed watching the Leafs this year,, the league is so close together it's hard to say where they'll end up,,, right now they're a couple points from top 8 and a couple points from bottom 8 so who knows!

[Walesy]

Well, I think that there is one thing we can agree on. We don't need to see Tavares going to Ottawa! But, man are they tanking.

[Brent]

Originally Posted by Walesy

Well, I think that there is one thing we can agree on. We don't need to see Tavares going to Ottawa! But, man are they tanking.

yeah I was just looking at the standings. 15pts in 18 games for Ottawa. Yikes.