MAPLE LEAFS THE BEST IN CLASS FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS
when it comes to the NHL Entry Draft, there have been more misses than hits for the Maple Leafs. That was no more evident than the late 1980’s and late 1990’s. There was the selection of three Belleville Bulls teammates ( , Rob Pearson and Steve Bancroft) in the first round of the 1989 draft. Names like Brandon Convery and (1992), Jeff Ware (1995), and (1999) followed later.
There have been a few bungled trades along the way as well – including one of the most infamous trades in Maple Leafs history.
In 1989, general manager Floyd Smith acquired veteran defenceman Tom Kurvers from the New Jersey Devils for a first round pick in 1991 – easily dubbed ‘The Draft.’ While the eventual third overall selection didn’t produce The , it turned out to be future Hall of Famer
In 1997, Toronto traded defenceman , forwards and and a first round pick to the New York Islanders for prodigal son Wendel Clark, and
“Draft Schmaft,” general manager Cliff Fletcher told a Toronto reporter when questioned about dealing his first rounder.
And with a deep draft class that summer, the Islanders used their pick to select netminder .
Speaking of goaltending, the Leafs had two top promising prospects on their hands in 2006 with and . General manager John Ferguson Jr., decided to keep , while was dealt to the Boston Bruins for . was eventually run out of town after two seasons and Pogge flamed out in the minors. With the Bruins, has replaced as the top dog in Boston.
Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke was hailed as a saviour when he was handed the keys to run the franchise, but even after some bold moves – landing a franchise defenceman in and a sniper in – there’s still a long way to go before ending this current run of five straight years without a postseason berth.
Coming off a 2009-10 season that saw the Leafs post a 30-38-14 record – 29th out of 30 teams, and without a first-round pick in this year’s (and next year’s) Entry Draft, the sense is the Maple Leafs are showing no signs of ending the Cup drought anytime soon.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=324239