Cliff Fletcher Isn’t A Screw Up
June 24th, 2008 by SteveApparently Damien Cox wasn’t alone in his assertions that the Leafs botched things on Draft day. Apparently a lot of people think the Leafs butchered things by dealing the 68th pick and a 2nd rounder next year to move up 2 spots. I’m not entirely sure I agree with many Leafs fans that trading up two spots is worth what we gave up… but no use crying over spilt milk. I am not disappointed with the selection of Schenn.
The irony here is, draft picks are traded over and over again. Heck the Islanders traded the 7th pick again after they got it, just to get MORE picks. They were taking a scatter shot approach to the draft. Different draft strokes for different draft folks.
Lets remember something here - the Leafs actually traded Gill for a 2nd round pick (#60), Kilger for a 3rd round pick (#70), and Belak for a 5th round pick (#130). They also had previously dealt Brendan Bell and a 2nd round pick (#38) to Phoenix for Yanic Perreault and a 5th round pick (#129).
So Cliff Fletcher did a decent job in getting a 2nd round pick in this year’s draft, (used on Jimmy Hayes), which JFJ had given up for a few games of Yanic Perreault two seasons ago. He also dealt the 3rd rounder they got in the Kilger deal to St. Louis for Jamal Mayers. Then he used picks 129 and 130 to get Joel Champagne and Jerome Flaake respectively.
So to recap, if Fletcher hadn’t done anything at all… the Leafs would have had picks #7, #68, #98, #128, #129, #158, and #188. That’s picks in the 1st round, 3rd round, 4th round, two in the 5th round, a 6th rounder and a 7th rounder… for a total of 7 picks. Only one of which was in the top 60 (or first two rounds for those that count). Fletcher’s handiwork garnered the Leafs two picks in the top 60, and another pick at #130.
So for all intents and purposes, various members of the media are arguing that the Leafs did poorly to exchange Kilger, Belak, Gill and 2008 draft selections for #7 and #68 for Mayers, #5, #60, and #130. Just to recap, that’s 1 aging shut down defender, an enforcer, and a checking line forward, for 1 young blue chip shut down defender, a young blue chip power forward prospect, the highest rated player out of Germany, and a veteran with good speed and checking skills, who enjoys dropping the mitts on occasion. Mayers will provide exactly what Chad Kilger did, with more grit. Schenn provides far more upside than Hal Gill. Jerome Flaake and Jimmy Hayes have the POTENTIAL to become game breaking players in the future. What the Leafs want is POTENTIAL… not more dawdling along with 3rd line wingers.
Oh and before somebody points out all the draft picks we gave up in NEXT year’s draft - can I again remind you that there’s an entire season to play before we even get to that draft. Fletcher has a lot of time to pick up draft picks in next year’s draft by trading crappy players that still sit on our roster. I’d be fine with the Leafs signing Kyle Wellwood and trading him for a pick next season. While they’re at it, they could trade Jason Blake. I’m not saying it’s GOING to happen… but I wouldn’t complain if it did.
Just one of these days it would be nice to have somebody state a selection of things the Leafs need to improve on, and then evaluate whether or not they are improving those areas or not. Personally I think they need to improve their skill level, team toughness, and all around defensive play. I think they addressed all 3 areas in this draft, and with the trade for Mayers. Fletcher’s doing ok as far as I can tell.
Posted in Prospects
8 Responses to “Cliff Fletcher Isn’t A Screw Up”
By Marco on Jun 24, 2008
I’m not saying Schenn can be Phaneuf, but if you compare their WHL stats, its not so different. That being said, I don’t see Schenn scoring 20 goals, and 50 points a season with atleast +10 every season. Phaneuf is a franchise defenseman for a reason.
Schenn however is solid, he isn’t Hal Gill, he’s much more mobile and he isn’t the big friendly giant like Gill. Scenn makes people pay the price physically. I like that. People bas that we didn’t go for skill, frankly i’d like a defenseman that can play defense.
This is one of the drafts i’ve liked most in a while by the leafs and i’m one of the biggest pessimists out there when it comes to the leafs.
By eyebleaf on Jun 24, 2008
shitting on the leafs seems like everyone’s favourite past-time these days.
it sucks that we had to give up those picks, when we should have been playing raycrap and should have finished lower in the standings. but we got a stud, and those 2nd and 3rd rounders are always question marks anyways.
it’s funny, no one ever talks about the first rounder we gave up to get brian leetch (maxim kondratiev) because he turned out to be such a god-damn bust.
fickle. so fickle, those who cover our beloved leafs.
By dan on Jun 24, 2008
I don’t know if it’s just me, but the way I figure it, Schenn is a francise player but who probably wont make francise money because he wont put up the huge numbers that GMs all over the league are willing to pay for. Sure the great players like Pronger, Lindstrom, Phaneuf all put up great numbers and are great defenders, but those guys don’t grow on trees. They are worth the money, but they do hamper what you are able to bring in to fill out the other lines. However they also have the ability to eat up big minutes.
Defenders who are stay at home traditionally make a lot less than guys who throw up points dispite their defencive skills. For the ability to have a really key guy who probably won’t ask for francise money is one piece of the puzzle that can be overlooked at draft time. I’m not say that the Leafs were looking at money when they made the pick, they were looking at the talent, however it is something that could have been in the back of their minds as they work with their 5 year plan.
By Doug on Jun 24, 2008
If the Leafs didn’t move up in the 2008 draft it’s possible they would have come home without a quality building block for their rebuilding program. They likely would have picked up Colin Wilson, or Cody Hodgson who are even money to be second line players on a champiomship NHL team. I would trade that for an impact “D” man anyday.
I feel that when rebuilding the team; there are likely 5 or 6 players who will be the core of a winning Leafs team. If they aren’t as good as the opponants core players, it’s likely the Leafs won’t win.
I think Luke Schenn is one of those core players the new Leaf team is going to need. From the list of other Leaf draft picks this year, there is enough promise that another core player may emerge from that group.
I like what Cliff and the scouts did in this draft.
By Chemmy on Jun 24, 2008
I wonder what Schenn’s offensive numbers on the blue line will look like when he’s paired up with Toronto’s offensive defenders in Kubina, Kaberle, McCabe, Stralman, etc.
By bkblades on Jun 24, 2008
Dion Phaneuf is a good comparison defensively, but I think a better one may be recently re-signed Shea Weber of Nashville. His stats at Kelowna when he was there look virtually similar to Schenn. I see Weber as a great future model for Schenn.
Schenn looks to be just as mean and maybe even the more physical of the two. More interesting though, Weber is still honing his offensive game. Without the knee injury, Weber was on a 30 point campaign to go with his 17 goal, 40 point ‘06-’07 season. If the Leafs can get a 35-40 point campaign from Schenn alongside his reputed shutdown ability every season, I think that quantifies as a worthy top-5 pick, no?
By Down Goes Brown on Jun 24, 2008
“… when he’s paired up with Toronto’s offensive defenders in Kubina, Kaberle, McCabe, Stralman, etc.”
I like how Chemmy used both different meanings for the word “offensive” in the same sentence.
By Geoff on Jun 25, 2008
Schenn(my first choice) and Filatov were two guys I thought the Leafs might realistically have a shot at trading up for and I was very happy with the move. I guess the Isles did a good job adding all the extra picks but I figure it’s a lot easier to get your hands on 2nd and 3rd round picks than top 5 picks. It’s taken him a while because of circumstances beyond his control but Fletcher has been decisive and focused in trying to fix what’s wrong with this team. It’s nice to be excited about my team again.