Quoting: TMLSage
Not sure how you can say that none of these players are envied by other teams in the NHL. If you google Nick Robertson you will soon realize what the Leafs potentially have in him as a player as he is having a tremendous year. The realty of the situation is the Leafs have just graduated a massive waive of players to their NHL team and have been replenishing their cupboard with the next waive of prospects on the Marlies and Growlers. Not really a concern if some of these players take another 2 to 3 years to slow cook and develope because it is not like there is going to be alot of immediate opportunities for them with the Leafs at the present time.
I'd like to believe that... I really would! The fact is, I have soured on trusting Toronto Media, especially when it comes to the value of TML Assets. I am not entirely without faith Sage... however, there is a painful tradition of looking back with hindsight and seeing the different stages of the dismantling of this team (decade-after-decade). That has made me skeptical, and when I see similar trends, I get triggered. Hey, I would love to see the Leafs win the Cup this and every year, but I am also a realist. This team is not Cup-ready in personnel, nor conviction of detail. What would go along way to changing my mind is that Dubis shows us (the fans) ASAP that he's faithful to what was preached... a strategy of patient development.
Meaning, don't acquire a single Roster Piece before the trade deadline, and sell UFA's, also let Reilly's recovery extend as needed to heal properly.
Muzzin gets a mid-late 1st
Barrie gets a mid-late !st
Cece gets a 4th at best
Spezza gets a 3rd
Keep everyone else!
Additionally, a Lottery win could improve our draft position so that we could keep our 1st round pick this year. Fans would know whats going on, next embrace the opportunity to see what Bracco can add at the NHL level, and give Brooks a better shot. We know our Core players are great "no question," but not until we address the defense will we witness Greatness! One season to recalibrate! No, not tanking, our offense will still be great and exciting to watch no-doubt so will or defense (LOL). Matthews might get hardware, and the core will experience how vital defense is to the recipe of winning.
Next season there is a fair bit of Cap space to play with; therefore, we can aggressively court both Alex Pietrangelo and Sami Vatanen to which we will be an attractive option for both. Oh ya, the 3 First-round picks would hurt much either.
A well-timed retreat may concede a battle, yes, but it also protects against significant man-power losses, regrouping/regaining forces to strike later with the gained intelligence.