Toronto Maple Leafs

[JagrBomb]

assuming leafs stay at #4, two scenarios:

1 - Arizona/Buffalo - McDavid
2 - Arizona/Buffalo - Eichel
3 - Edmonton - Hanifin

Who do leafs take at 4? Marner/Strome?

OR

1 - Arizona/Buffalo/Edmonton - McDavid
2 - Arizona/Buffalo/Edmonton - Eichel
3 - Arizona/Buffalo - ???

Assuming Edmonton gets a top 2 pick and one of Arizona/Buffalo get the other top 2 pick, who goes at #3 to the other Arizona/Buffalo, and then who do leafs take at 4? In this scenario I could see #3 being a forward, so Marner/Strome. Do leafs then take hanifin or the leftover from Marner/Strome?

[2014olympicgold]

I’d rather have Strome than Hanifin. No team really needs 2 offensive defensemen with Rielly in the system already. If they get to 3^rd, I would hope they could trade down to 4^th and get like a 2^nd rounder back as well. Or hopefully packed 3^rd overall + Nashville’s 1^st+Player for 2^nd or 1^st overall kinda thing.

But between Marner and Strome, I can’t say I really know enough between the two. But from what I’ve read Marner is a great 2 way player with great hands, backchecks hard, and drives possession numbers. He’s got 124pts in 62OHL games, and he’s from the area (Markham). However he’s only 5’11” and 160lbs I think which isn’t big at all.

Strome tho is 6’3” 190lbs from Mississauga, and also plays center. He’s got 117pts in 65OHL games. With his size and speed he’s tough to contain, and he’s creative to get past defenders. Great vision, very good IQ to get into the right spots to score, and can play at a high level along the boards. However, his defensive effort goes up and down depending how he feels.

I’d rather Strome because of the size; it’s been a long time since the Leafs have had a big center. However with Dubas, possession numbers could make Marner the prize he wants.

[JagrBomb]

I’d rather have Strome than Hanifin. No team really needs 2 offensive defensemen with Rielly in the system already. If they get to 3^rd, I would hope they could trade down to 4^th and get like a 2^nd rounder back as well. Or hopefully packed 3^rd overall + Nashville’s 1^st+Player for 2^nd or 1^st overall kinda thing.

But between Marner and Strome, I can’t say I really know enough between the two. But from what I’ve read Marner is a great 2 way player with great hands, backchecks hard, and drives possession numbers. He’s got 124pts in 62OHL games, and he’s from the area (Markham). However he’s only 5’11” and 160lbs I think which isn’t big at all.

Strome tho is 6’3” 190lbs from Mississauga, and also plays center. He’s got 117pts in 65OHL games. With his size and speed he’s tough to contain, and he’s creative to get past defenders. Great vision, very good IQ to get into the right spots to score, and can play at a high level along the boards. However, his defensive effort goes up and down depending how he feels.

I’d rather Strome because of the size; it’s been a long time since the Leafs have had a big center. However with Dubas, possession numbers could make Marner the prize he wants.

1st overall won't get traded. if it does it will be for a heck of a lot more than that, leafs would need to give up 4th overall + reilly + nylander at minimum.

and more than likely 2nd overall won't either, unless the team really likes a different player. and since eichel is a step above marner/strome etc, the only team I could see trading down from #2 is Edmonton if they want hanifin.

I really hope it does come down to strome/marner. either would be a great addition to the leafs, they just need to make sure they finish low enough to grab one.

[2014olympicgold]

1st overall won't get traded. if it does it will be for a heck of a lot more than that, leafs would need to give up 4th overall + reilly + nylander at minimum.

and more than likely 2nd overall won't either, unless the team really likes a different player. and since eichel is a step above marner/strome etc, the only team I could see trading down from #2 is Edmonton if they want hanifin.

I really hope it does come down to strome/marner. either would be a great addition to the leafs, they just need to make sure they finish low enough to grab one.

The trading up from a 3^rd was a bit of a pipe dream. But I was trying to say they’d turn out better if they traded down to 4^th or 5^th even if they got back another draft pick or part of a big trade. If the Leafs drafted Hanifin it would be a waste of a pick down the line really. Rielly and Hanifin wouldn’t fulfill their potential, and eventually one will want to escape the others shadow and the Leafs would be left with minimal. With the Leafs center questions tho, I bet they’d just take Strome/Marner even if they had 3^rd overall.

I like the NFL for this because there is a lot of other positions, so a team with an abundance of WR, or defensive players can trade down the draft and keep acquiring picks and players until they can’t wait on their guy anymore. In the NHL, I can’t see a trade down a few spots at a time ever happening. Leafs trade down from 3^rd to 5^th with Carolina. Carolina told Leafs they want Hanifin and that’s who they’ll draft with the 3^rd, Carolina turns out they trade E.Staal and Draft Strome. Now Leafs are left without their guy. Hope this is coming across correctly. (NHL teams seem to reach on a player they want rather than trade down to get him at his projected draft position).

[The Black Panther]

When it comes to Hanifan I keep thinking of the way Nashville has build there team. The Leafs defence is horrible. They need to build from the Goalie out(which means Bernier may not be the answer either). Love to hear other thoughts.

Keep thinking if the Leafs somehow fluked and got McDavid, Kessel aint going anywhere and the rebuild takes another turn.

[The Black Panther]

LOL I hear yeah about Phaneuf. I think both goalies confidence is shot right now.

[2014olympicgold]

If Strome is gone at pick 4, Leafs should draft Hanifin, and trade their (most likely) Preds 18^th overall pick to Florida for their pick and draft Zacha. Suspensions and an injury shot this kid down from 3^rd overall in some rankings to 10^th/11^th. However, if they stick to where they are now, they can be looking at getting Kylington if they draft Strome. Many have said he’s the best moving defenseman in the draft, which speaks a lot about his foot work considering Hanifin is in the same draft

[The Black Panther]

I agree but the Hunter/marner link may be too strong.. I also don't think they'll have just 2 1st rdrs either. Its going to be interesting for sure.

[Nights]

Dubas had a pretty good interview today. Link has both the audio and a transcript.

[pmorrow]

Don Maloney not against trading down:

“I’ve been out [scouting] a lot over the last month and there’s half a dozen guys that could be candidates for that [No. 3 draft] position," GM Don Maloney told the Glendale Star.

“I don’t think it’s locked in stone, that third position, which gives us flexibility because there are one or two of those that we like more than the other. So, maybe if we get what we want, maybe we trade down a slot or two. So, we have to look at those options, but there’s some good players that can help us. Maybe not next year, but not that long thereafter.”

Although the Leafs have a pretty bad track record of trading up. I think we should just sit tight and take whoever is there at #4. Chances are the Leafs have 2 or 3 guys theyd be fine waiting for at #4

[2014olympicgold]

The Leafs should just sit tight where they are, unless a wicked deal comes up

[Zorro]

Arizona would be foolish not to take Strome at #3.. Strome Domi and Duclair would be a beauty top line down the road..

[havanablast21]

He's the only selection For them as far as I'm concerned. But I hope they surprise. He's look great in the blue and white.

[The Black Panther]

Well the Blues lose. Might we see Hitchcock as a candidate for Leaf's coaching vacancy? Teach these players some defence. Personally I've never been a fan of his handling of kids, though I know he's changed a lot.

[Zorro]

Well the Blues lose. Might we see Hitchcock as a candidate for Leaf's coaching vacancy? Teach these players some defence. Personally I've never been a fan of his handling of kids, though I know he's changed a lot.

I just don't think he trust's the youngster's.. Tarasenko and Schwartz played amazing under Hitchcock.. I don't think the Leafs would be lucky enough to have Hitchcock coach them.. I think he wants to be to a team that won't be rebuilding..