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If McKenna is hyped as Patrick Kane, Stenberg could be considered Forsberg or Zetterberg. Very few Swedish prospects have scored the way he scored in the SHL this year. Stenberg has outperformed guys like Backstrom, Nylander, Lindholm, Carlsson and many other elite Swedish prospects. And he doesn’t play one-way hockey. His hockey IQ is high and plays two-way hockey. It’s a shame he doesn’t play center but if the battle is between two wingers, Stenberg is the superior all around player. Considering the Leafs have already tried and failed with Nylander as a one-way player, it would be repeating the same mistake all over again. Even if McKenna were the higher offensive output player, we know that when the games matter, what Stenberg brings is more valuable. We have also seen McKenna finish in 2nd (or worse) in the OHL, the WJC and the NCAA when he was considered the best player on the ice amongst his peers. That’s potentially because of his lack of a physical game and a defensive game costs him the games that matter the most. Watching him for Canada, he was the “best” player on the “best” team and did not deliver.
McKenna is not Patrick Kane. The only reason that comparison is appearing is because he punched somebody out in a street fight situation. That comparison is an overshoot. Kane scored 60+ goals in the OHL with 140+ points. He made Sam Gagner and Sergei Kostitsyn look like legit stars and turned them both into 100+ point players. The hype around Kane was that of a legit generational talent. The same can’t be said about McKenna legitimately and the biggest reason for his hype is because he’s the Canadian contender for #1 and the Canadian sports media likes to hype their own guy harder.
In terms of who might dominate the NHL, there’s a strong case to be made for Reid as an offensive, smooth skating, 6’3″ RHD. He could be the next Makar (better than Hischier and Patrick). That, to me, is so much more valuable than a one-way LW. Same could be said about Verhoeff in a different manner as he could be a physically dominating top pair RHD like Ekblad or Hedman. Again, not the “100 point” player but the guy who helps you win when the games matter the most. If the Islanders got to draft 1st overall again in 2009 knowing what they know now, would they take Tavares or Hedman? I’d take Hedman.
It’s not about who will score the most points anymore. It’s about who can you build a winning franchise with and around. You can score all the goals and points you want (in the extreme case like McDavid) but at the end of the season it’s not the singular factor in what builds a winning team anymore.
I am not talking about hype, just the scoring upside and type of player. But Zetterberg is also a comp for Stenberg.
Kane did score 62 goals and 145 points, but in his age 17-18 season.
Mckenna had 129 points in the WHL in his age 16-17 Season. He was over 1 year younger. Its hard to compare his NCAA season to Kane last OHL season.I am not advocating for anyone, my comments are on just what I feel the Leafs will do. But ultimately I have no idea, Chayka can be a wild card sometimes.
Iv consumed a bunch of draft content, and to me I think the Leafs take Mckenna. Its close
The comps are like picking Patrick Kane/Panerin vs Tim Stutzle /Lucas Raymond
not perfect comps but you get the ideaLosing Pridham might have bothered me a few years ago, but teams all have capable cap experts, its not the advantage it used to be.
Also, you can say while having his expertise, it did nothing. they won fuck all so *shrug*New GM means nothing if he builds a shit team. New coach means nothing if Matthews isn’t part of the hiring process. #1 pick means nothing if he doesn’t turn them into a contender instantly (he won’t).
Matthews certainly isn’t acting or speaking like it yet. And it seems like his agent and McDavid’s agent want them both to be UFAs at the same time and for the other to sign first to set a new bar of highest paid.
I just mean for the perception the players have, like AM will see it as making changes to “improve”
whether they do or not on the ice, isnt the point.Chayka doesnt seem to sit on stuff. at least he didnt in his first go round as GM. Id suspect if he doesnt re-sign AM, he trades him and doesnt Marner it up.
But new GM, new coach, new shiny #1 pick. My bet is AM signs another deal with the Leafs
Leafs have time to keep Matthews for this coming season, new coach. his 2 worst seasons were with Berube.
Leafs TDL Roy, Mcmann etc all went and were impactful. Berube…prob might be one of the worst coaches.at min build AM value back up. if they do end up deciding to trade him, but im not convinced that happens.
I feel like Pelley is going the full nuclear option on the management side of things, because we all know they’re not going to blow up the roster, (which I’m fine with, for the record). Bringing in Sundin and Chayka was the first move in a clear (risky?) new direction. I think they’re going to go completely off the board with the head coach, definitely not sticking with the old boy’s club that professional sports are known for.
also good that they were willing to eat the 2 years of Berube salary. the comment Win at all costs or whatever it was.
hopefully Pelley just fades into the background
