Stamkos Hopes To Become A Maple Leaf!
HTML: TORONTOSUN.COM
Yep, you guessed it. The projected top and best prospect for the 2008 Draft has now officially made it known he wants to become a Toronto Maple Leaf….“To be a Leaf would be a dream come true,” said Stamkos, who already has 80 points in just 46 games. “I idolized the Leafs growing up. I’ve always been a Leafs fan.
Growing up in Unionville, a thriving bedroom community just north of Toronto, young Steven viewed the world through blue-and-white glasses.
“I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve checked out the NHL standings. I pay attention to where the Leafs sit. I know they’re near the bottom of the standings. The chance of (getting picked by them) definitely is in the back of my mind.”
With Wendal Clark being his dad’s favourite player, the younger Stamkos carried the tradition and was thrilled a year ago when he had the opportunity to meet Clark after a game at the Air Canada Centre. Stamkos was accompanied by his agent, Don Meehan, Clark’s long-time representative.
Ironically, the Leafs have not held the first-overall pick in the draft since 1985. At that time they selected a gritty kid from the Saskatoon Blades named — you guessed it — Wendel Clark!
In order to get the top selection again, the 2007-08 Leafs must finish among the bottom five teams in the final standings.
The selection order in the first round is subject to a lottery, held among the teams that hold the top 14 picks. There is only one winning team in the lottery. That team moves up a maximum of four places in the draft order. The lottery is weighted to favour the teams with the fewest points.