06 May 2026 06:54:31
So is it possible that now we have the first overall pick and a possible long term franchise player that the new leafs management looks at this and decides to maybe blow this up and go full rebuild? What might that look like? We know we need some younger, mobile d-men...which I think everyone thought we would draft this year if we retained the #5 pick. Maybe a verhoeuf or a Reid...but now we have first overall.

This means most likely McKenna or Stenberg. That being said, if they take one of those two wingers, we still need Dmen and to get younger. So if they talk to Matthews and he says he's not in for the rebuild then you need to trade him and follow suit with Willy. So if they go full sell mode (and I think this is probably the best route of we want to get back to a competitive team in a couple years with a longer window to compete) may e they do the following:

1st overall pick: Stenberg. (As much as I'd prefer to draft the Canadian boy, I just have a gut feeling Stenberg is going to be a better overall well rounded player and maybe handle the pressure better in Toronto)

Trade:
To Utah - Matthews
To Toronto- Cooley, Caleb Denoyers, Tig Iginla

Not sure if Utah would do this, but we would get a serviceable good young center back in Cooley who is signed long term. Denoyers is going to be a stud two way center and Iginla is going to be a power forward and a character guy. Utah gets their #1 star center which was apparent they needed in the series versus Vegas this year.

Trade:
To Chicago: Willy Nylander
To Toronto: 4th overall pick and Artyom Levshnov

With this Chicago gets their top flight winger to play with Bedard that they really need. Toronto gets Levshnov who is going to be an absolute stud RH defenseman who was a second overall pick a couple years ago. Then with the 4th overall pick we take Verhoeuf. Then we have two young, mobile high end defenseman to build around.

The one risk with this sort of plan is that we would probably be a poor team for the next couple seasons until these guys develop which would potentially result in high draft picks for Boston and Philly the next two years...but I think this would give a great foundation of good young stars that can come.up together. Then you also have knies, Roberston and Cowan who are all young under 25 to grow with these guys. Johnny T can mentor them for a few years and we should be very competitive in a few years. BUT Auston and Willy need to waive and we just don't know if that will happen...but if the leafs say rebuild I really can't see either of them wanting to stick around.

1.) 06 May 2026
06 May 2026 11:15:31
Awesome one. Chicago might not want to part with Levshnov but like the way you think. I share your thoughts on McKenna te: Toronto pressure. It’s always fun putting together rebuild packages and even Auction packages for the first pick overall.

It’s a great draft class. I almost wish it was next year because no-one will give up the chance to take Landon DuPont no matter what.