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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Mmm I think you need to take the quote in context. He's clearly not talking about position in terms of competing for a cup. I think a large part of what he's talking about is in regards to cap space, prospects, picks. Leafs were able to dump some long term albatross contracts in the past year and a bit in Phaneuf and Kessel and replace them with 1 year albatross contracts. That means now and in a year they are poised to have cap space to lure UFAs. Knowing its TOR and knowing the % of hockey players from ONT its pretty safe to say they will have a much easier time luring good players than an EDM would. Plus you've got the lure of playing under Babcock, one of the best coaches in the NHL. They have some great young players and prospects and are about to draft some more this draft.
You have to like a lot of things about the way the Leafs are going about their rebuild IMO. I expect TOR to be competitive faster than EDM or VAN unless Chiarelli really works some magic this summer. Babcock has gotten more out of the little that was handed to him than Todd McLellan was able to squeeze out of endless top 5 picks. Wait until Babcock has another couple key pieces.
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All of that is exactly why I'm very glad I don't full on rage hate the Leafs. More like a "Head on, apply directly to the forehead" kind of weariness.