John Tavares...?

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

Who has seen him play..? Is he compareable to Crosby? Some people say hes the best player not in the NHL at age 16. Im not really a fan of Crosby. Who does Tavares compare to in the NHL? Do the Leafs tank next season to get him, hes mentioned hes a HUGE Leafs fan.

52 goals and 98 points in 45 games is very impressive.

Thanks

[hergs 7]

john doesn't play as fast as Crosby does. I seen him get 7 against the spits, and he plays very methodical. He was getting double teamed and still stick handling through people. He's not the fastest guy on the team, but prolly has the best hands. If I was to compare him to an NHLer I would say maybe spezza but without the reach.

he has another 2 years b4 his draft year comes

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

Is he a pass first type guy? I mean he has 52 goals but its juniors.

[cbj05 0]

I watched a game where the Icedogs were playing against John Tavares's Generals.

I agree completely with what hergs said, this guy has silky smooth hands. He's not as noticeable or as fast as other players, but he knows where to go to score goals. John definitely passes the puck less than Crosby.

Compare him to an NHLer? His hands and awareness remind me a bit of Pavel Datsyuk.

[Eazy_b97 1]

He's not on Crosby's level, but he is still very good. If eligible, he'd be the first pick overall this draft, even though he he isn't eligible till the following year.

[kosydar 0]

Honestly I wouldn't listen too much to what people say. Remember a year ago when Esposito was supposed to go #1? Now they have him listed at 10.

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

I watched a game where the Icedogs were playing against John Tavares's Generals.

I agree completely with what hergs said, this guy has silky smooth hands. He's not as noticeable or as fast as other players, but he knows where to go to score goals. John definitely passes the puck less than Crosby.

Compare him to an NHLer? His hands and awareness remind me a bit of Pavel Datsyuk.

:wub:

I guess i'll have to become a Leafs fan then..

[hergs 7]

y would the leafs draft him, there not that smart

[dietzie27 0]

rimshot*

[Eazy_b97 1]

y would the leafs draft him, there not that smart

Drafting has been good lately.

Tlusty - rated 12th at the draft, picked 13th by the Leafs, now ranked as the 7th best player from that draft

Rask - drafted 21st overall by the Leafs, considered the best goalie not in the NHL right now

Kulemin - 2nd rounder, mid 40s, currently onpace to finish second in RSL scoring behind Morozov. Numbers are extremely similar to Malkin's, but a year older.

Stralman - Drafted in the 6th round, playing 30 minutes a game in SEL, scouts are saying may have top pairing potential

Pogge - WJC MVP, drafted in the 3rd round.

[sherwood21 0]

I've played against him in the past...and one of my best friends plays on his team right now (del zotto, one of the other top rookies in the O), he is a pure snipe. Anything you give him in front of the net goes in. He is unreal...plus he's a 2009 draftee. 150+ points next year?

[kosydar 0]

Earl- drafted 6th round.

[slaw 1]

I played a bit of summer hockey with him and a buddy on my team got drafted by Brampton so we always go to Brampton games for free whenever someone we know...or in this case is good... is playing. Tavares could probably stick-handle his way out of a phonebooth and not break a sweat. Possibly the most pure talent player i have ever seen/been on the ice with who is not in the NHL. 09 he will go for sure 1st. Unless a Russian comes out of nowhere and impresses scouts.

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

I played a bit of summer hockey with him and a buddy on my team got drafted by Brampton so we always go to Brampton games for free whenever someone we know...or in this case is good... is playing. Tavares could probably stick-handle his way out of a phonebooth and not break a sweat. Possibly the most pure talent player i have ever seen/been on the ice with who is not in the NHL. 09 he will go for sure 1st. Unless a Russian comes out of nowhere and impresses scouts.

So hes the Canadian Datsyuk? Does he play with an edge or is he "soft"?

[hergs 7]

nah he's not soft, but he wines about calls like Crosby used to

[sweetblazer 0]

He's not on Crosby's level, but he is still very good. If eligible, he'd be the first pick overall this draft, even though he he isn't eligible till the following year.

Actually 2 years after this one. lol he has a late birthday and isnt eligible until 2009 which is ridiculous because its true he would go 1st this year.

[philatangy 0]

They showed one of his goals yesterday during one of the games on CI. Pretty sick! I can't believe he won't be eligible for 2 more years.

[flyguy1697 0]

Hope my flyers keep tanking and possibly pick him up to take over our scoring load because I've seen this kid play on three occassions and he is my age and I have friends that play against him and he is very good for his age. By far the best out there right now.

[artvandelay 0]

Drafting has been good lately.

Tlusty - rated 12th at the draft, picked 13th by the Leafs, now ranked as the 7th best player from that draft

Rask - drafted 21st overall by the Leafs, considered the best goalie not in the NHL right now

Kulemin - 2nd rounder, mid 40s, currently onpace to finish second in RSL scoring behind Morozov. Numbers are extremely similar to Malkin's, but a year older.

Stralman - Drafted in the 6th round, playing 30 minutes a game in SEL, scouts are saying may have top pairing potential

Pogge - WJC MVP, drafted in the 3rd round.

Are you serious? How can you call good drafting a list of people who aren't in the NHL? Good drafting should at least show 1 impact player whose in the NHL from the last 4-5 years of drafts...

[kosydar 0]

Tlusty is 18. It is unrealistic to expect an 18 year old to play in the NHL, especially one who hasn't ever played in NA. You can't hold every prospect to the same level you do with Crosby, regardless of if they're a first rounder.

Rask- The two teams he has been a part of both have great depth at goaltender. Its unnecessary rushing a goalie prospect when there is no need.

Kulemin- He is 20, which is still very young for a good prospect. Being 2nd in scoring in the RSL behind only a legitimate NHLer is amazing, especially for a 20 year old.

Stralman- Another 20 year old. Don't know much about him, but he seems like he could be a late round steal.

Pogge- Again, 20 years old. Why bring him into the NHL when they already have a defined starting goalie? It makes much more sense to have a future #1 play tons of minutes in the AHL than sit on the bench.

All these players have been taken in the past two drafts, and show a lot of potential. I'm not saying they'll all pan out, but they are all going in positive directions.

Also keep in mind that besides Tlusty, the Leafs hadn't had a top 20 draft pick since 2001. They also had no first rounders in 03 and 04.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Drafting has been good lately.

Tlusty - rated 12th at the draft, picked 13th by the Leafs, now ranked as the 7th best player from that draft

Rask - drafted 21st overall by the Leafs, considered the best goalie not in the NHL right now

Kulemin - 2nd rounder, mid 40s, currently onpace to finish second in RSL scoring behind Morozov. Numbers are extremely similar to Malkin's, but a year older.

Stralman - Drafted in the 6th round, playing 30 minutes a game in SEL, scouts are saying may have top pairing potential

Pogge - WJC MVP, drafted in the 3rd round.

Are you serious? How can you call good drafting a list of people who aren't in the NHL? Good drafting should at least show 1 impact player whose in the NHL from the last 4-5 years of drafts...

I'm talking about prospect ratings

We'll go with Welly, Steen, Stajan, White, Colaiacovo, Bell instead then? Happier now?

As for "impact" The first 3 forwards are all in our top 6. The next 2 D-men are capable of playing top 4 minutes. White was 2nd in Rookie scoring for D-men. Bell's a top 6 on any other team in the league. Kronwall's also an NHL calibre D-man, but has been hurt all season.

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

Sorry but Leafs and Prospects do not go together. They haven't had an NHL level prospect since Sundin and he already had experience before going to the Leafs. They need to break the mold of only taking Ontario boys and take a risk on some Euros. Everytime the draft comes around I scratch my head when three teams come up... New York Rags, Phoenix and Toronto. The Rags always take project players that never work out. Phoenix always takes major diamond in the rough players, that also never work out(jury is still out on Blake Wheeler). And Toronto.. well they take which ever Ontario boy is ranked highest added to their fans prediction of a cup every season it doesn't make for a great prospect pool.

[Perry94 0]

Now I don't normally defend the leafs (sens fan here), but this is just getting ridiculous. Kosydar and Eazy-B pretty much had you all nay-sayers down and out with their list of prospects. You say that they don't have an NHL level prospect, but if you opened up your eyes and read what they've said you KNOW you're wrong. If you look closely you'll notice that there are (GASP) Europeans there as well!

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

Now I don't normally defend the leafs (sens fan here), but this is just getting ridiculous. Kosydar and Eazy-B pretty much had you all nay-sayers down and out with their list of prospects. You say that they don't have an NHL level prospect, but if you opened up your eyes and read what they've said you KNOW you're wrong. If you look closely you'll notice that there are (GASP) Europeans there as well!

GASP! NHL level Euros? Im not talking on the cusp, im talking difference makers. Wellwood, Steen and Stajan are all medicore at best and those were their last set of great prospects.

Mediocrity at best:

25. Toronto Maple Leafs

Strengths: Quantity. The Leafs' greatest strength is their general depth of NHL-caliber players. On the blue line, while they have few elite-level blue line prospects, many have been pressed into action at the NHL level and were able to compete adequately. There is also some top-end talent in the system with all-world goaltender Justin Pogge making the jump to the pro ranks and firmly assuming the mantle of goalie of the future – especially in light of the trade of Tuukka Rask. In addition, Jiri Tlusty has, to date, proven to be a savvy pick, displaying offensive brilliance at times. He's joined up front by smallish, but dynamic players like Robbie Earl and Jeremy Williams.

Weaknesses: Quality. The majority of prospects are third or fourth-line forward or second or third defensive pairing quality. And the falloff after Pogge in net is precipitous. The Leafs' farm system has been decimated by the graduation of several players to the NHL ranks and will need to be replenished.

Top Five Prospects: Justin Pogge (G), Carlo Colaiacovo (D), Robert Earl (LW), Jiri Tlusty ©, Jeremy Williams (RW)

Key Graduates: none

[Eazy_b97 1]

At the time of that article Tlusty was just drafted and Kulemin/Stralman were unknowns. Both have had break-out seasons. In addition to Pogge they have another good young goalie who plays for Red Deer. 3rd best GAA and 7th best save% in the league.

The Leafs also had their worst drafting era ever surrounded under one of the most Euro oriented drafters ever in Smith.

Ontop, evey first rounder JFJ has used was used on a Euro. The last 2 prospects the Leafs took have shot up the charts dramatically withing 6 months of being drafted. Their last 3 first rounders have all been from Europe. 5 of their last 7 first rounders also European. All in the NHL, or considered "blue chip" with the exception of Cereda who had a heart condition and prevented him from really evolving as a player.

That's the problem with drafting. I'm saying they are starting to come around, you won't see the results for another few years. They were very poor. Recent history suggests that their prospects are starting to turn the corner. Their forward depth is weak, and their key D-men have just graduated.

The 2 "Ontario boys" they've taken in the first round have had very good rookie seasons. Cola dropped significantly on draft day and he was an "easy" pick there. Boyes had a 69 point rookie season. Third in last seasons excellent rookie crop.

Tlusty could have played in the NHL this year, but he would've been on a checking line and they didn't want that for a rookie. Kulemin is playing on a level with former NHLer Alexei Morozov. Poni and Antro are on the team. Steen is one of their better forwards. Kaberle is arguably the best D-man in the Eastern Confrence. Kronwall is an NHL calibre D-man as well, he showed this last year, and when he has played in the AHL, looks a step above.

How many NHL level Euro's do you expect them to draft?

Take a look at the article you posted and what it questions. The 3rd/4th line potential is being addressed and is well noted. That's where Tlusty and Kulemin hopefully come in. The "Replenishment" has come in Stralman, Kulemin, Newburry, Kronwall. Goaltending depth is looking better and better everyday as well. They aren't one of the best teams in the league for it right now, but they also haven't drafted at the top of the draft in a long time either. The teams drafting habits are improving and alot of these claims are simply false.