TOP 5 PICK!!!

[Corn Flake]

Schenn + #5 for #1  8)

HAHA, that's immediately where my mind went.  I think the Leafs have a better chance of acquiring the #1 with the Oilers holding it as opposed to the BJs.

Absolutely.  This is probably the 2nd best scenario for Toronto to move up, other than winning the lottery. 

I think a Schenn + 5th for 1st makes a ton of sense for both teams. The Leafs finally get their young star in the making and the Oilers get a d-man who steps in and helps now, under long-term deal so he can't escape for at least 4 years, draft another young d-man and be able to be a bit more patient with him.

Will obviously come down to what Edm thinks of Schenn.  They will no doubt push for Gardiner but that's not happening and shouldn't need to.

 

[maplesyrup]

Schenn + #5 for #1  8)

HAHA, that's immediately where my mind went.  I think the Leafs have a better chance of acquiring the #1 with the Oilers holding it as opposed to the BJs.

Absolutely.  This is probably the 2nd best scenario for Toronto to move up, other than winning the lottery. 

I think a Schenn + 5th for 1st makes a ton of sense for both teams. The Leafs finally get their young star in the making and the Oilers get a d-man who steps in and helps now, under long-term deal so he can't escape for at least 4 years, draft another young d-man and be able to be a bit more patient with him.

Will obviously come down to what Edm thinks of Schenn.  They will no doubt push for Gardiner but that's not happening and shouldn't need to.

The only trouble I have with this while it makes sense for both teams, there's a decent chance Edmonton gets a better offer. I mean, what if Bufallo offered their pick + Myers or something.  :-\

 

[Erndog]

Schenn + #5 for #1  8)

HAHA, that's immediately where my mind went.  I think the Leafs have a better chance of acquiring the #1 with the Oilers holding it as opposed to the BJs.

Absolutely.  This is probably the 2nd best scenario for Toronto to move up, other than winning the lottery. 

I think a Schenn + 5th for 1st makes a ton of sense for both teams. The Leafs finally get their young star in the making and the Oilers get a d-man who steps in and helps now, under long-term deal so he can't escape for at least 4 years, draft another young d-man and be able to be a bit more patient with him.

Will obviously come down to what Edm thinks of Schenn.  They will no doubt push for Gardiner but that's not happening and shouldn't need to.

I think it does make some sense for both teams but I just don't know how much Edmonton would value/like Schenn considering the year he's coming off.  If he was coming off a year like last year than maybe it would work, but then again we likely wouldn't be considering trading him.

If they do this, they would likely end up with Galchenyuk/Forsberg + Schenn for Yakupov.  It's certainly not awful, especially if you think Schenn is going to be that #3 type of stay-at home d-man... I just don't think this type of deals really tickels Edmonton. 

Also, they have Oscar Klefbom (drafted in the first round last year) who is supposed to be a top 4, and I read that Bobby Mac said they are the "favourites" to land Justin Shultz in the summer so they just might be comfortable taking their chances in those routes before dealing the #1 overall pick.

 

[Kin]

I actually really like where the Leafs are. Assuming even one of the teams above them draft a defenseman they'll be able to draft one of Grigorenko/Gachelnyuk/Forsberg. Even if that doesn't happen, worst case scenario is that they get their pick of the defensemen.

As for the trading up possibility I still think it's something the Oilers would be open to but I think that it'll take a very significant offer to get them to do it. After the season Schenn just had and the contract he has I very much doubt he'd be enough to get it done. I think Gardiner is a much more realistic cost if Edmonton wants a question mark.

 

[Corn Flake]

Schenn + #5 for #1  8)

HAHA, that's immediately where my mind went.  I think the Leafs have a better chance of acquiring the #1 with the Oilers holding it as opposed to the BJs.

Absolutely.  This is probably the 2nd best scenario for Toronto to move up, other than winning the lottery. 

I think a Schenn + 5th for 1st makes a ton of sense for both teams. The Leafs finally get their young star in the making and the Oilers get a d-man who steps in and helps now, under long-term deal so he can't escape for at least 4 years, draft another young d-man and be able to be a bit more patient with him.

Will obviously come down to what Edm thinks of Schenn.  They will no doubt push for Gardiner but that's not happening and shouldn't need to.

The only trouble I have with this while it makes sense for both teams, there's a decent chance Edmonton gets a better offer. I mean, what if Bufallo offered their pick + Myers or something.  :-\

Buffalo is not offering Myers for that pick.

 

[Erndog]

As for the trading up possibility I still think it's something the Oilers would be open to but I think that it'll take a very significant offer to get them to do it. After the season Schenn just had and the contract he has I very much doubt he'd be enough to get it done. I think Gardiner is a much more realistic cost if Edmonton wants a question mark.

Yeah, that's what I was just saying.  After the pretty terrible season Schenn had it doesn't really make him an enticing player.  Certainly not for the #1 overall.  Obviously they would ask for Gardiner but that is a definite no-go so I don't think we match up very well with them in fact.

 

[Corn Flake]

Also, they have Oscar Klefbom (drafted in the first round last year) who is supposed to be a top 4, and I read that Bobby Mac said they are the "favourites" to land Justin Shultz in the summer so they just might be comfortable taking their chances in those routes before dealing the #1 overall pick.

I think their hopes of getting Schultz are a bit overblown.  I think he goes to a Canadian team but I would think with Gardiner around that the Leafs are a favorite there.

 

[maplesyrup]

Schenn + #5 for #1  8)

HAHA, that's immediately where my mind went.  I think the Leafs have a better chance of acquiring the #1 with the Oilers holding it as opposed to the BJs.

Absolutely.  This is probably the 2nd best scenario for Toronto to move up, other than winning the lottery. 

I think a Schenn + 5th for 1st makes a ton of sense for both teams. The Leafs finally get their young star in the making and the Oilers get a d-man who steps in and helps now, under long-term deal so he can't escape for at least 4 years, draft another young d-man and be able to be a bit more patient with him.

Will obviously come down to what Edm thinks of Schenn.  They will no doubt push for Gardiner but that's not happening and shouldn't need to.

The only trouble I have with this while it makes sense for both teams, there's a decent chance Edmonton gets a better offer. I mean, what if Bufallo offered their pick + Myers or something.  :-\

Buffalo is not offering Myers for that pick.

Who knows though, right? I mean the point is Edmonton might be able to do better than Schenn + #5.  :-\

 

[Zee]

Schenn + #5 for #1  8)

HAHA, that's immediately where my mind went.  I think the Leafs have a better chance of acquiring the #1 with the Oilers holding it as opposed to the BJs.

Absolutely.  This is probably the 2nd best scenario for Toronto to move up, other than winning the lottery. 

I think a Schenn + 5th for 1st makes a ton of sense for both teams. The Leafs finally get their young star in the making and the Oilers get a d-man who steps in and helps now, under long-term deal so he can't escape for at least 4 years, draft another young d-man and be able to be a bit more patient with him.

Will obviously come down to what Edm thinks of Schenn.  They will no doubt push for Gardiner but that's not happening and shouldn't need to.

The only trouble I have with this while it makes sense for both teams, there's a decent chance Edmonton gets a better offer. I mean, what if Bufallo offered their pick + Myers or something.  :-\

Buffalo is not offering Myers for that pick.

Who knows though, right? I mean the point is Edmonton might be able to do better than Schenn + #5.  :-\

As long as Burke doesn't go into the press talking about previous drafts and how he's been able to deal and get the player he wants (see Tavares draft) and then ends up doing nothing and looking all sour-pussed on tv.  Just shut up and draft.

 

[maplesyrup]

Just shut up and draft.

and @ #5, that would be cool too.

 

[Zee]

Just shut up and draft.

and @ #5, that would be cool too.

I'm all for the Leafs exploring options to move up if they can, just don't go shooting your mouth off about it beforehand.  All it does it raise expectations and if the deal falls apart everyone is upset.  I wish Burke would just work behind the scenes and stop talking about what he *might* be able to do.  Just do it.

 

[Kin]

Yeah, that's what I was just saying.  After the pretty terrible season Schenn had it doesn't really make him an enticing player.  Certainly not for the #1 overall.  Obviously they would ask for Gardiner but that is a definite no-go so I don't think we match up very well with them in fact.

I'm not well versed enough in the prospects to have definite opinions on that. If Yakupov is the next, I don't know, Teemu Selanne then he might be worth Gardiner + #5. But, yeah, I don't know how great a match the Leafs are.

I think the Rangers are interesting. They have a bunch of good young D-men who are contributing now, have good prospects in the system and love star power. Who blinks at Del Zotto or McDonagh + a prospect and a first for the #1?

 

[Corn Flake]

As for the trading up possibility I still think it's something the Oilers would be open to but I think that it'll take a very significant offer to get them to do it. After the season Schenn just had and the contract he has I very much doubt he'd be enough to get it done. I think Gardiner is a much more realistic cost if Edmonton wants a question mark.

Yeah, that's what I was just saying.  After the pretty terrible season Schenn had it doesn't really make him an enticing player.  Certainly not for the #1 overall.  Obviously they would ask for Gardiner but that is a definite no-go so I don't think we match up very well with them in fact.

But typically these pick flipping deals don't involve players.. just other picks, so when you can offer a player already in the NHL, still young and on a long-term deal it has to have some interest.  Obviously it comes down to what they think of Schenn's season but teams don't usually ignore the upside these players have and his "human eraser" days are not that long ago.

If I compare the Schenn + 5th package to what other teams in that general draft vicinity could offer, I think it's pretty good. I just don't see the Habs or CBJ offering more, NYI could do anything but they don't have young defense to offer.  Ducks or Wild?  Not sure but nothing sticks out.  After that you are asking Edm to flip all the way down and out of the range of the best d-men in the draft.  I don't think they will do that. 

With D-men taking 5'ish years to develop, Edm could see a Schenn as a guy on the cusp of being through those development years.  Yeah his season wasn't great but neither was his entire team's season. 

Just my (sales pitch) opinion.

 

[Peter D.]

I'm glad that the Leafs will, if they stand pat, have the chance to grab at least one of Yakupov, Grigorenko, Murray, Galchenyuk or Forsberg. 

And the more I think about it, the more I believe that the Oilers won't be making the 1st pick in the draft.  If they are set on taking a d-man as many suggest they may be, there is no need to burn the 1st overall pick on Murray, especially when other teams would love the chance to draft Yakupov.  If I'm them, I spin off the pick and grab an extra asset or two.  Trade down with Columbus, who pretty much need Yakupov, grab a roster player and another pick or two and still draft Murray?  See what Toronto has to offer (Schenn + 5th overall + ???) and draft accordingly?  What a nice position to be in. 

 

[Bullfrog]

And what a fortunate position for them. Going from the 2nd to 1st overall just opened more opportunities for them.

 

[Corn Flake]

Who knows though, right? I mean the point is Edmonton might be able to do better than Schenn + #5.  :-\

Who knows indeed, but I'm pretty sure I know that particular scenario isn't happening. 

Yes they might be able to do better but I think that's a good offer.  Gunarsson + 5th might be a better offer.  I would do that too.  I'm just not moving Gardiner to move up 4 spots in this draft.  Seems quite silly to do so.

would you rather have:

Yakupov + Schenn, no Gardiner
Yakupov + Gardiner
or Galchenyuk/Forsberg + Gardiner + Schenn

I'm waffling on those options to be honest and I believe Yak is a clear cut above the others at least in terms of what he will do in the immediate term.  Long term things could balance out.  But the Leafs really need to add the star of the future player up front. But moving Gardiner sets them way back on defense... *head hurts*

 

[Andy007]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Edmonton take Yakupov. They can always make a trade for a defenceman, push hard for a Suter in FA or try to acquire a top flight goaltender. It's hard not to salivate over a top 6 that includes Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, Eberle and Yakupov.

Leafs at #5 isn't a bad position either. Either we get the best defenceman available or one of those top FW. Just no trading of that pick please

 

[maplesyrup]

*head hurts*

Yup... Mine too. Man, I'd like to keep #5 and try to get another top pick too. Now how to we get both Sting boys? 

 

[Corn Flake]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Edmonton take Yakupov. They can always make a trade for a defenceman, push hard for a Suter in FA or try to acquire a top flight goaltender. It's hard not to salivate over a top 6 that includes Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, Eberle and Yakupov.

Leafs at #5 isn't a bad position either. Either we get the best defenceman available or one of those top FW. Just no trading of that pick please

I think he trades the pick.  According to Eric Francis, ST has been babbling for a month about being open to trading the pick and back then he didn't even know what pick he had.  I think we will hear lots of rumors floated about them going for it with Yakupov but my bet is they are planted to drive the price up.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

or Galchenyuk/Forsberg + Gardiner + Schenn

I think this is what I'd like to have.  Galchenyuk is a couple inches taller than Yakupov, and maybe the difference in skill is big, maybe not, but I like the guy with a bit more size.  I think Taylor Hall is a good comparable to Yakupov, as I've read they sort of play similar games, and that has led to some injury concerns already for Hall in his reckless kind of game.

I guess I just want a bigger bodied C.