There are more than a few words that would bring a laugh or tear from a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. Stanley Cup, would be one of the most obvious. Waffle, would be another.
But one of the most laughable aspects of the lovable Buds over the past ten years has been the draft—not only their picks, but what they've done with those players after drafting them.
There isn't a Leafs fan on earth that won't give you a profanity-laden opinion of the Phil Kessel trade—one that sent two Toronto first-round picks and a second-round pick to the Boston Bruins—but the history of the draft is so much more than just that.
Dare I say, so much more depressing. And with the St. Louis Blues coming to town on Thursday night, it will only be a painful reminder.
Since the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, the Leafs have picked in the first round seven times. When the team hits the ice on Thursday, one of those selections (Luke Schenn, fifth-overall in 2008) will be on the ice. Nazem Kadri (seventh-overall pick in 2009) is currently with the minors.
The five other first-round picks are no longer members of the organizatio ...
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Article written by Jon Neely
Maple Leafs’ Decade of Draft Woes: Visit From Blues Serves As Cruel Reminder
January 6th, 2011 by Jon Neely Leave a reply »
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