newfy

Skinner put up a lot of points but hes tiny.

If he could turn into a 4th line pest that fights 15 times a season I'll be happy. Maybe like the skill level of Maltby but fighting a lot and hitting more often.

That line up looks pretty soft, take Draper out and put in Nystrom and you've got me sold.

Not a bad list at all. I doubt even if campbell is around that the wings will draft him, we're fairly stacked at goalie for a while. I tihnk if somehow Etem slips he could be a really slick goal scorer. I still really want Watson as well but right now its looking like Macfarland has a high chance at being around when we pick and he is one of the most skilled guys in the draft. I mean, if you're getting Brendan Morrow comparisons what isn't there to love about a guy haha

That has been his style in the past, but that may also partially be because they haven't found a young guy they have liked enough to keep around for an extended time. If it comes down to a guy like Nystrom or Moreau and Kenny picks Moreau I will seriously question if Kenny has this teams best intentions at heart.

I would not get your hopes up for Gormley my friend. We would have to trade into the top 5 to get him and if we were to trade up that far I would just trade high enough to get Gudbranson.

Priceless Esposito on those commy bastards

Thats the thing, he performed well at the u18's so he seems great. He's like the 17th ranked European skater so I would not be happy with that when there is 17 Europeans ranked higher and only about 3 will be off of the board by then probably. Macfarland is compared to Brendan Morrow, if he's half the warrior Morrow is then he's worth our pick.

He's had some questionable hits in his career but he's mostly just a hard hitter that can play some hockey as well. He's no Matt cooke if thats what youre worried about.

Haha need a tissue?

He's just saying what he wants teh wings to do this draft. No reason to get snappy. And seeing Finnish wing reply reminded me that I don't want that Pulkinen or whatever his name is either. 5'11 European, no thanks.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=62943..... theres the link for anyone interested in reading the latest mocks at NHL. The wings draft on pure skill a lot of the time and this time last year scouts were saying Macfarland might be going up in the top 5 with Hall and Seguin. Most of these drafts have Macfarland going right around when the wings pick and I would be extremely happy if the wings could pick him up. If he gets his act together he could be the steal of this draft along with kabanov. He has some edge to his game as well which would be nice to get in here. Potential number one center in the future. Trading up a couple spots for someone like Mcilrath would be nice but I don't see Kenny doing it so I doubt we can get him. Watson would b e a sweet pick up as well but he might be going just a bit before the wings pick so we'll see. I also like the idea of Howden, a big, physical goal scorer. I really hope we don't go Russian in the first round, call me a euro hater whatever, I would much rather have people that won't have the risk of fleeing to the KHL.

Around 2007 and 2008 he was hurt, he had a bad eye injury I remember. But other then that the last 2 seasons he has played over 75 games which is good for a guy of his style. The guy that punched Markov was either Moreau or Staios I don't really remember.

People say that because his whole time as GM he inherited a great team, and didn't have to do a whole lot to keep it great,(he isn't really god like some people think), now that the team is coming to a point where they may not be the best in the league without changes he might have to shake things up.

I don't know how ppl can say this is a bad move. The leafs have been captainless ever since Sundin left and it seems like there is absolutely noone taking leadership in that room. Phaneuf is a young guy who has a norris nomination to his name, will lay his body on the line to win, sticks up for his teammates, and has the potential to be one of the better defenseman of his era. He might be overhyped, but he is still a good player, people on this site refuse to acknowledge that for some reason because they don't like him. Noone knows how he is in the room so maybe he is a leader in the room as well. Good choice by the leafs to finally name a captain.

He seems like the exact thing Drake was when he came here. I know Moreau will stick up for his teammates like Drake did, he is a vet that will want a cup and he is a gritty, leave it all on the ice type player and leader. I'm not sure on how hard he hits though? Anyone that can comment on this would be appreciated. I don't know if MOreau would be the best route. This offseason there are a lot of young guys that can fill this role and be here for another 10 years. Moreau doesn't have a whole lot left in the tank but if Holland is going for the one year deal to win a cup before you retire type guy then it is Moreau for sure.

I'll take Ethan Moreau on this team, I don't tihnk he has a cup(?), very physical, warrior type player and could be the perfect Dallas Drake for next season.

Sharp would be a huge upgrade which I would be very happy with and Versteeg would be good too. Detroit isn't immuned to trades, if Bert isn't resigned I hope Kenny doesn't do what he did last year and sign someone like Jason Williams in hopes that he can replace scoring.

Exactly they should start hitting right after tyke. In lacrosse they hit in peanut which is the lacrosse equivalent of tyke and I doubt it makes that many more ppl get injured in the long run. By the age of 11 players can have developed bad habits like skating with their head down, if they started hitting at 6 or 7 they wouldn't have time to develop habits like that and it would give them more time to learn to give a clean hit and receive one. This is how it should be if they're going to change anything

I don't know what to make of Andersson either. He's big and looked decent in the world juniors. He seemed fairly physical and overall looked like a good player but he doesnt seem to put up a lot of numbers. Mursak looked so good back with Belleville in the OHL and well Tatar is Tatar, I think they are potential 80 point guys in the NHL.

The article on Mlive saying that another free agent might be signed to play the 6th defenseman role is why we are discussing it. I know what you mean, but I would rather have a big physical guy, then a small physical one. If both hit with the same amount of consitency give me the big one for a bit more money. I know what you mean, but I would rather have a big physical guy, then a small physical one. If both hit with the same amount of consitency give me the big one for a bit more money. We wouldnt pay him 1.5 million but I'm saying we could potentially sign a better guy for up to 1.5 maybe. Exelby is one of the grittier guys in the league, he had a bad season in TO and for 1 million would be a great addition here. Toronto doesn't need more grit on defense so Burke won't try to hard to sign him I don't tinhk.

Besides Asham, who was suggested as a third liner in this thread, who are these ridiculous suggestions you are talking about? I havent seen one person mentioned for the 4th line that seems ridiculous here at all. in fact, its been pretty realistic if not completely realistic. Ladd sounds great instead of bringing back Bert, Armstrong is the next best suggestion I would say. I don't see us getting Clarkson, Nolan is pretty damn old, no to Steen and Comrie I wouldn't hate but wouldn't love as a signing.

I think with the cap going up, Lids, Homer and most likey Bert taking cheaper contracts we'll be able to spend a bit over a million on a dman. Lilja's contract was 1.2 so we can definitely spend that much on a replacement. That opens up quite a few more possibilites because for around 1 mill to 1.5 mill it makes bigger guys like Exelby, Boynton, and Jurcina possibilites. If we want a cheap guy that could be a mentor for the younger D-men then someone like Hnidy or Strudwick could be pretty good options. I really think Strudwick is a good possibility, he had a bad year on an even worst team so for the same price I'm sure he could be signed and whenever I've watched him play he hasn't seemed to bad at all. He's fairly mean as well.

If we're looking at this guy saying he's going to be a fairly big hitter, why would we get a 5'10 guy when theres guys out there that will be around the same price, 6'2 and big hitters. Definitely wouldn't be my first choice.

There isn't a lot to talk about since its the offseason and I've been wondering this for a while now so I figured might as well start a thread about it. Emmerton is no longer waiver exempt after this upcoming season (I'm pretty sure) so does this kid have what it takes to play in the NHL? From what I've read, he has been somewhat disappointing but not bad enough to drop off the top prospect lists or out of discussion about our prospects making the team in the future. So anyone who has seen him play can maybe chime in here... Does Emmerton have the skill to be a solid NHLer in the upcoming years or is he a prospect that will sink into nothingness like so many do? Whats his skill set like?