Toronto Maple Leafs: What Do You Think? – Hunter Follow Up

Earlier this week, I prompted you all to provide me with your opinions on Mark Hunter parting ways with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As always, you delivered.

So, without further adieu, here are a few notable takes on the situation directly from you, our loyal readers!

KimNB

“It has been nice to have Hunter in the fold. But, I am not sold he is quite the draft magician that he reputed to be. His scouting network is great. But, I think he made some big errors on the drafts.

I am disappointed in his somewhat petulant reaction to Dubas’ hiring. Dubas was clearly the heir apparent from the day he was hired, with Hunter a long shot at best. Shanahan has not deviated from his initial plan. So, Hunter should not have been surprised at being passed over.”

LeaferForLife

“In my opinion, as far as drafts go, I see it like this. In the first and second rounds, things are, for the most part, pretty transparent. As to who you “should” pick provided they are still available.

Enter rounds 3 through 7, and its mostly a gamble. Hit or miss. Crap shoot. Or, however you want to describe it. Sometimes you win or luck out. And sometimes, well, not so much.

There are plenty of examples throughout the league for each team on both sides of the argument. Many variables like specific needs for each team, different opinions of the capabilities and skills of each draftee (existing and projected development) throughout the levels of management) not to mention the ages and positions of said draftees.

All in all, I’d say Hunter did a fine job in identifying obvious potential within the first couple of rounds. And, an equally fine job at “rolling the dice”, if you will, in the later rounds. Only time will tell, to be honest. And, if the truth were known, as much as the fans cross thier fingers in regards to some later round picks, I believe management does so as well.

Id give Mr. Hunter a solid “B” grade without a doubt.

Cheers and best of luck to you wherever you go, Mark! I’m sure Leafs Nation as a whole appreciates all your hard work and feel fortunate that you were there for us. I know I do!

Marcel DePass

“Thank you, Mark Hunter, for your hard work. Much success in your next endeavour.

If I were to grade Hunter’s main function in handling the draft, he would get a ”B+”. Sure, he missed on a few players. But, he didn’t play safe either. The draft is a crapshoot. Nobody hits on most of their picks.

He missed on Middleton, Walker, Bobylyev, and McGregor. But, I do commend him for not going safely on Rasanen and Gordeev. Two hulking defensemen who can skate and make plays. Even Mattinen looks to be a player that could go pro. And Korshkov could possibly be a force when he decides to come over.

Then there are hits like Grundstrom and Liljegren, who look primed to make impacts. With the Matthews and Marner picks, the franchise-altering players who become the foundation on which to build (Nylander too).

On top of all that, using picks on college bound and European players, the prospect pool can be spaced out.

In the end, though, I do believe Dubas and his vision could be on par with Hunter’s. He may have more misses, but the ones he does hit may be of the huge variety.”

Arnie Porter

“Talking about good players being passed over in the draft after the fact is easy. Every team has some each year because drafting isn’t a science. Teams have different needs and18-year-olds are mostly a work in progress.

Hunter helped the Leafs in their scouting and drafting of talent both in the draft and signing free agents from Europe. He will be missed but that doesn’t mean he’s irreplaceable.”

Say What?

“So long. But, your job has been automated to computers.”

Paul Elliott

“If Hunter was going to be unhappy, then I think moving on is best for all concerned. I would like to see an experienced top flight adviser. Just for Dubas to bounce thoughts and ideas off of. Especially since  Lamoriello has decided to move on.

Outside of that, I hope Dubas can live up to the reputation that induced Shanahan to hire him.”

Next: Kyle Dubas and Hidden Talent

Thanks for reading!

Be sure to check back next week for the latest instalment of “What Do You Think?”.