In the past four years, the Toronto Maples Leafs have traded away three first round draft picks. Which raises the question of why JFJ is employing a scouting staff?
Their first draft pick in 2004 was traded away for Brian Leetch. Goalie Tuuka Rask (A 2005 first round pick) was traded away for Andrew Raycroft. And finally this year they have traded a First round pick, second round pick and a 2009 fourth round pick for Vesa Toskala and Mark Bell.
But there is a good reason why the Leafs don't have to worry about drafting. Read these two quotes;
"Lindros signed one-year, $1.55 million contract last summer, fulfilling a lifelong dream to play for the Leafs. His career has been plagued by concussions."-ESPN
" Jordan Staal capped a tight game with his first career hat trick in a Toronto city he dreamed about playing in."- http://www.topix.net/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/2007/02
As long as there are players in the league that are born dreaming of playing for Toronto, the Leafs will never have to worry about scouting again. Because in the new NHL, offseason movement is extremely common. And the Toronto Maple Leafs have no trouble attracting people to play in their city. It's a beautiful city to live in, and the fan base is tremendous.
Unlike the Edmonton Oilers that need to send out Edmonton tourist videos to every scout in the league, just to convince players that Edmonton is not the worst place in the NHL to play. However, it is quite likely that Edmonton is the worst city in professional sports to play.
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