So the leafs deserve Crosby? If you are unhappy with the lack of success (arnt we all?) then why call out the best offensive player we have? It makes no sense. He has heart and deserves better than to be ripped on continuously by Leaf fans.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Not to get in the way of a good pissing match, but I think Kessel needs a center who he can pass to, not a center who will pass to him.

Get him a shooter, and you'll see Kessel's assist totals skyrocket.

I can't tell you how many times I saw that hack Bozak whiff on two-foot putts the last couple of years.
- Atomic Wedgie

Someone like Jeff Carter would have been good

Hate to break it to you ladies, but very few people know the actual reasons and circumstances around this strangely timed firing, and neither of you are one of them. You both have nothing but speculation, so please stop arguing over who's speculations are less speculative.
- 1979AD

Even if you completely disregard what both McKenzie and Dreger said, does it really make any sense to fire a guy five days before he's allowed to make trades for not making a trade?

If only we could figure out how to give him Kessel's skills or vice versa.
- 1979AD

You're getting ammusing....arguing that the 6th highest scorer in the NHL has no heart. Please stop while you're ahead.

(frank) off Wedgie
- AdamFrench

I warned you.

Crybaby.

(my effing office is dusty or something - eyes are irritated...)

Even if you completely disregard what both McKenzie and Dreger said, does it really make any sense to fire a guy five days before he's allowed to make trades for not making a trade?
- Two_For_Truth

If you believe making a particular trade would propel you into the playoffs and generate more revenue...yes...it makes a lot of sense.

Not to get in the way of a good pissing match, but I think Kessel needs a center who he can pass to, not a center who will pass to him.

Get him a shooter, and you'll see Kessel's assist totals skyrocket.

I can't tell you how many times I saw that hack Bozak whiff on two-foot putts the last couple of years.
- Atomic Wedgie

He can set up goals too - that's undeniable. Lupul was a huge beneficiary last year. It seems late in the season though opponents figured out that if you could obstruct him in enough on the rush and take that away, that line wasn't able to create offense with puck movement/cycling down low. I think that's what this team misses the most - the way Sundin and Roberts would control the puck in the offensive zone, wearing down the other team until it became easier to find space and time and ultimately goals.

I warned you.

Crybaby.

(my effing office is dusty or something - eyes are irritated...)
- Atomic Wedgie

He can set up goals too - that's undeniable. Lupul was a huge beneficiary last year. It seems late in the season though opponents figured out that if you could obstruct him in enough on the rush and take that away, that line wasn't able to create offense with puck movement/cycling down low. I think that's what this team misses the most - the way Sundin and Roberts would control the puck in the offensive zone, wearing down the other team until it became easier to find space and time and ultimately goals.
- 1979AD

I get it. So Kessel has no heart because he's small.

Good job setting up your defence for next week....
- Pen15

Got a problem? Take it up with Bob McKenzie.

Let me ask you...(and this isn't a personal attack at all, so please don't take it that way), but have you ever played competitive sports growing up?

If so, were you ever THE GUY?

And if so, were you ever THE GUY on one of the worst teams in your league?

Kessel was...and is, and the mental toll it takes to still show up, and perform (pot 30+ goals) every game/season without ANY real support shows heart.

I think that's a better example of having heart that you can give of NOT having heart.
- Pen15

Yes, but usually a part of good teams. And no, I don't accept that showing up and doing your job is an example of heart.

He can set up goals too - that's undeniable. Lupul was a huge beneficiary last year. It seems late in the season though opponents figured out that if you could obstruct him in enough on the rush and take that away, that line wasn't able to create offense with puck movement/cycling down low. I think that's what this team misses the most - the way Sundin and Roberts would control the puck in the offensive zone, wearing down the other team until it became easier to find space and time and ultimately goals.
- 1979AD

Guy's actually a hell of a hockey player.

Too bad some people here continue to blame him for what Burke gave up in the trade.

Got a problem? Take it up with Bob McKenzie.
- Two_For_Truth

So Uggie........ following your path to building a team this is what would have happened in 1992. Instead of trading for Doug Gilmour and others, you would have preferred a trade for the first round picks.

Here is the draft from that year.

1 1 Tampa Bay Roman Hamrlik D Zlin ZPS AC [Czech.] 1379 155 482 637 1400
1 2 Ottawa Alexei Yashin C Moscow Dynamo [Russia] 850 337 444 781 401
1 3 San Jose Mike Rathje D Medicine Hat Tigers [WHL] 768 30 150 180 491
1 4 Quebec Todd Warriner L Windsor Spitfires [OHL] 453 65 89 154 249
1 5 NY Islanders Darius Kasparaitis D Moscow Dynamo [Russia] 863 27 136 163 1379
1 6 Calgary Cory Stillman C Windsor Spitfires [OHL] 1025 278 449 727 489
1 7 Philadelphia Ryan Sittler L Nichols [N.Y. H.S.]
1 8 Toronto Brandon Convery C Sudbury Wolves [OHL] 72 9 19 28 36
1 9 Hartford Robert Petrovicky C Dukla Trencin [Czech.] 208 27 38 65 118
1



So which one of these gems was the better alternative to that trade? First overall pick??

So the leafs deserve Crosby? If you are unhappy with the lack of success (arnt we all?) then why call out the best offensive player we have? It makes no sense. He has heart and deserves better than to be ripped on continuously by Leaf fans.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

If you still believe that, you've never seen guys like Gilmour, Roberts, Clark, Grabovski play for the Leafs.

You're getting ammusing....arguing that the 6th highest scorer in the NHL has no heart. Please stop while you're ahead.
- Pen15

Talk to me again when you figure out how the ability to score and playing with heart and passion are not necessarily related.

If you believe making a particular trade would propel you into the playoffs and generate more revenue...yes...it makes a lot of sense.
- Pen15

"Make that trade! Who cares if you can't make it until Sunday?! You're fired!"

Looks like your kind of logic.

I get it. So Kessel has no heart because he's small.
- Pen15

No, that's not why.

Holzer, Blacker, Finn, Percy, Rielly, Granberg, Loov, Nilsson

MacWilliam, Robertson

These are defence prospects and home grown picks

How would you rate this group going forward?

Talk to me again when you figure out how the ability to score and playing with heart and passion are not necessarily related.
- 1979AD

Great - another generation of Leafs fans who want to cheer for Motor City Smitty and Domi and Foligno.

Guy's actually a hell of a hockey player.

Too bad some people here continue to blame him for what Burke gave up in the trade.
- Atomic Wedgie

If those picks turned out to be slugs, as more often they do. Then Burke would have been genius.

But alas acquiring a 20 year old who was already scoring 30+ goals a year was not sufficent. Never mind that he has continued to show that he is an ELITE goal scorer. None of that matters.

FFS Wake up people, you don't realize how good this kid is.

Guy's actually a hell of a hockey player.

Too bad some people here continue to blame him for what Burke gave up in the trade.
- Atomic Wedgie

He's a great hockey player. My problem with him is that he could be so much more.

If those picks turned out to be slugs, as more often they do. Then Burke would have been genius.

But alas acquiring a 20 year old who was already scoring 30+ goals a year was not sufficent. Never mind that he has continued to show that he is an ELITE goal scorer. None of that matters.

FFS Wake up people, you don't realize how good this kid is.
- faceto27

Yeah, I'm not comfortable saying Burke could have been a genius in this.

It was a bad trade. The timing was just awful.

But it wasn't Kessel's fault.

If you still believe that, you've never seen guys like Gilmour, Roberts, Clark, Grabovski play for the Leafs.
- 1979AD

Roberts, Clarke and Tucker had more heart than anyone.. How about Sundin? Are you going to say he didn't have heart either?

He's a great hockey player. My problem with him is that he could be so much more.
- 1979AD

Look on the bright side - we now have JVR.

Kessel may not be realizing his full potential, but JVR hasn't even bothered to scratch the surface of his.

You've got a brand new whipping boy in the blue and white.

Oy vay!

Holzer, Blacker, Finn, Percy, Rielly, Granberg, Loov, Nilsson

MacWilliam, Robertson

These are defence prospects and home grown picks

How would you rate this group going forward?
- LeafMan

Good

Finn, Rielly

Meh

Blacker
Percy
Nilsson

Bleh

Holzer, Loov

MEAHAHAHAHA

Granberg, MacWilliam, Robertson