I know this is the part where I'm supposed to talk all about the Atlanta Thrashers and Winnipeg and make references to songs by the Weakerthans. I think I'll pass today (not that I have anything against the Weakerthans). I'm anxious for June and some tangible development on the Leafs front. The updated ISS rankings have come out (go here for a list of their top 30 prospects) and there are plenty of differences from their Central Scouting counterparts. Vladimir Namestnikov and Joseph Morrow, ranked 11th and 12th respectively by CS, don't even appear on the ISS list. It would seem that outside a few big names, there is a total lack of consensus concerning the top thirty or forty draft prospects. For a team like the Leafs, this is why they should avoid attempting to trade up in the first round. Unless they are absolutely certain that they can draft a significantly better player at 18 or 20 as opposed to 26, they should keep both first round selections. If the caliber of player available should not differ drastically from late teens to late twenties, why throw away a high selection? Keep your picks and hope you hit on all three top 50 selections.

Winnipeg links after the jump...

Saturday links:

Thrashers failure rests with owners

Mirtle has the story on the shortcomings of the Atlanta Spirit Group as owners of the Thrashers

How a long-time non-Western Leaf guy looks back at the Jets

VLM has a bit on Bobby Hull, the WHA, and the Winnipeg getting a second shot

Rating the NHL's relocation candidates

New DGB

More on NHL exchange rates and expansion

Behind the Net examines why the US-Canadian exchange rate play such a huge role for Canadian-based teams

Welcome to Canada's Detroit?

Kuklas Korner explains why Winnipeg could be an equivalent of Green Bay in supporting the new Jets

From The Branches