OK, there is a reason that McKenna is the consensus number 1 pick. The Leafs have to take the best player available, regardless of position. The Leafs have too many holes and have to start filling them. The Leafs do have Colorado’s first rounder next year. If the Leafs can finish in the middle of the pack, Boston gets to pick around 15 or 16. Still, the Leafs have that 1st via the Roy trade. The Leafs goaltending is good. 4 NHL caliber goaltenders on the Leafs and the AHL. The Leafs can also go into free agency and grab a player like Tampa’s Raddysh. A healthy Tanev, McCabe and OEL, plus Carlo give them a decent top 4. If their health stays good, they can compete for a playoff spot, beating out the likes of Boston and Ottawa. Rielly has to be gone, no if’s and’s or buts. The Leafs also need a healthy Matthews, Knies and Nylander. There needs to be another top 6 forward added to make them competitive. Next year could be a breakout year for Cowan. Health is what is important and maybe it’s time to hire Gary Roberts as their health and fitness coach. With a top end prospect in the mix, next year could go OK, if the injury bug stays away. They do have a goaltender surplus so there could be players incoming, or draft picks for next year. Now is not the time to move the top draft pick, unless it’s for a top 3 and a first the year after next. It’s about asset management and addition through subtraction. I’m not sold on the head coach.
McKenna is not the consensus #1 pick. There are plenty of people saying Stenberg is the better overall player because he can actually play two-way hockey and played pro in Sweden with good offense too. Plus, the Sundin factor. He might go with the Swede. Also, the priority is always placed on Canadian players to be the #1 pick in the Canadian sports media, now more than ever. But there are other options. Looking at how Hughes and Makar are dominating the Avs vs. Wild game right now, you could easily argue Reid is the #1 pick if he can be a game breaking offensive RHD.
Do you think they regret taking Hischier or Patrick over Heiskanen or Makar in 2017?
The Colorado 1st round pick will probably be 30th or worse. That’s a long term depth player. If the Leafs trade down, they can fill the cupboard faster and still get a top prospect.
Leafs goaltending is A) not good and B) not healthy or reliable. One injury away from being a lottery team again.