That team had a higher point total than any of the last 4 years if im not mistaken.
- sanfordnson

so you would take your 06 Oilers over your current Oilers??

Cause thats the case you just made

so you would take your 06 Oilers over your current Oilers??

Cause thats the case you just made


- faceto27

i would have preferred some playoff hockey over last place finishes yes.

the rebuild was never a stated goal for a few years after 2006. injuries and personnel circuses kinda forced them into it. i like our young players but keeping Pronger after 2006 sure would have been nice.

Or for nothing.
- robin_steele264

Interesting view Bob.

Interesting view Bob.
- walshyleafsfan1

No problemo.

- woopstash

ya the homerism does get pretty funny sometimes.

i would have preferred some playoff hockey over last place finishes yes.

the rebuild was never a stated goal for a few years after 2006. injuries and personnel circuses kinda forced them into it. i like our young players but keeping Pronger after 2006 sure would have been nice.
- sanfordnson

Nonsense, the Oilers have been rebuilding for decades, and have dozens of 1st overall picks.

I'd say this is more about his personality than his performance. Although the Leafs didn't improve their on-ice product during his time there.
- LeftCoaster

The funny thing is MLSE seems to be taking a lot of flak because they openly said that they fired him because of his "style" and whatnot...but they are justified in firing him for his lack of production.

More than anything it's the timing. If they wanted to fire him why not do it months ago not a few days before camp starts or at least give him a few weeks of this season. We're probably going to be terrible this year anyway. A month from now we could be among the worst in the league so then fire him and pin it on that and there wouldn't be any negative thoughts about MLSE at all.

The pro-Burke people seem to be more defending his style then his actual results...because they don't have a leg to stand on as far as the results piece is considered. But regardless of his style, if he was the friendliest GM who was all smiles and rainbows his results may not definitely guarantee he should be fired but GMs have been fired for far, far less.

http://www.tsn.ca/fantasy_news/rankings/nhl/

World beaters!
- AdamFrench

They have the leafs ranked too high...

Kessel is a top notch goal scorer. His defensive play is suspect, at best. If the Leafs are to become a perennial playoff team, they need to have players that play both ends of the ice. Kessel is a dynamic skater, but is a perimeter player. The Leafs have him for two more years. His cap hit is reasonable at 5.4 million dollars. Now is the time for the Leafs to move him, for a significant asset. If Kessel were to bring a top notch goaltender, a first line center, or a top 5 draft pick, in this years draft, then move him.
- PrinceLH

Top 5 pick is not guaranteed at all by clubs who will actually want to make a trade, they will be teams closer to low 1st round picks.

Kessel for a top 5 pick is a lateral move, we already have a top 10 proven scorer, will the top 5 pick be one, it will probably not be.

Bey Bey Phil Kessel - as soon as he learned on the Burke firing he was like"Get me outta here, the guy that makes all the excuses for me is gone'
- tuna99

Bey Bey indeed.

Burke could have called on Uncle Lou for some help, but he burned that bridge by plunging that knife in Lou's back during the Kovalcuk debacle.

Top 5 pick is not guaranteed at all by clubs who will actually want to make a trade, they will be teams closer to low 1st round picks.

Kessel for a top 5 pick is a lateral move, we already have a top 10 proven scorer, will the top 5 pick be one, it will probably not be.
- LeafMan

It beats watching him walk away for nothing. Does anyone really get the impression that Phil likes playing here, this city, the media spotlight?

Also, this top 5 pick might be able to do more in a hockey game than score off the rush.

Burke could have called on Uncle Lou for some help, but he burned that bridge by plunging that knife in Lou's back during the Kovalcuk debacle.
- WayneZ

What are you blabbering about?

It beats watching him walk away for nothing. Does anyone really get the impression that Phil likes playing here, this city, the media spotlight?

Also, this top 5 pick might be able to do more in a hockey game than score off the rush.
- 1979AD

So you want to gamble on a might be from something that is proven? Right now it is only speculation by fans that he will walk, no one knows but Kessel and his agent, when or if the time comes, then you make a deal.

What are you blabbering about?
- BoBBeR56

Which part is confusing you?

So you want to gamble on a might be from something that is proven? Right now it is only speculation by fans that he will walk, no one knows but Kessel and his agent, when or if the time comes, then you make a deal.
- LeafMan

Kessel for Duchene and start the rebuild!

Top 5 pick is not guaranteed at all by clubs who will actually want to make a trade, they will be teams closer to low 1st round picks.

Kessel for a top 5 pick is a lateral move, we already have a top 10 proven scorer, will the top 5 pick be one, it will probably not be.
- LeafMan

U would get a first plus for phill

It beats watching him walk away for nothing. Does anyone really get the impression that Phil likes playing here, this city, the media spotlight?

Also, this top 5 pick might be able to do more in a hockey game than score off the rush.
- 1979AD

I disagree with you, the guy can make plays and is a very good passer.

Yes, he is soft as butter and will not sacrifice his pudgy body to make a play, but he is an elite offensive player. and not just off the rush.

So you want to gamble on a might be from something that is proven? Right now it is only speculation by fans that he will walk, no one knows but Kessel and his agent, when or if the time comes, then you make a deal.
- LeafMan

Take it from me. If he starts talking like Parise, and guaranteeing he'll resign, that is a sure fire sign he is gone.

Burke could have called on Uncle Lou for some help, but he burned that bridge by plunging that knife in Lou's back during the Kovalcuk debacle.
- WayneZ

Help for what? STFU

Kessel for Duchene and start the rebuild!
- LeftCoaster

Then I woke up....... Wet

Why? Did they break up?
- systemtool

Garth had his soaked panties tied to a brick.

So you want to gamble on a might be from something that is proven? Right now it is only speculation by fans that he will walk, no one knows but Kessel and his agent, when or if the time comes, then you make a deal.
- LeafMan

Agreed!

We have more pressing roster issues right now. Like a goalie and number 1 centre.

Help for what? STFU
- JIMI-JAMES

You can't hug your children with Nuclear arms. Wouldn't you rather discuss this as friends?

Take it from me. If he starts talking like Parise, and guaranteeing he'll resign, that is a sure fire sign he is gone.
- WayneZ

If he does not put name to paper on an extension then you do it, but I doubt we get back the same value.

edit: we will end drafting a centre and no scoring winger and the cycle repeats itself.