Leafs Front ‏@LeafsFront 1h
Leafs have contacted the Oilers about the 7th overall pick. Hearing Gunnarsson/Phaneuf are in play.

While I believe that the Leafs would be willing to move up in the draft, and that Dion could very well be on his way out, something tells me moving two Dmen in this case isn't a very smart move.
- AngryWhiteMale

This seems very unwise, even for the 7th overall.

All the help up front means nothing if you gut your defense. See: Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Washington.

Projecting the development of young defenseman is practically a guessing game. It's roulette.

The list of top 10 drafted defenseman who busted is far longer than the list of the success stories.
- Leeman4Gilmour

not in the last 10 years or so it's not, and that's really the only time period you can talk about for "top pick busts" anymore. Scouting and drafting is WAY better than it was 15 years ago...

aren't we just discussing above how kessel is better than what we traded for? I am pretty sure kessel is worth even more than what we traded for him now
- Mapleleafs_91

Exactly...Burke played the odds, knowing what he was getting in Kessel. Kessel has now been better than a point per game forward, and among the league's elite the last two seasons. And, he's only 25 years old. Burke doesn't regret any part of that deal now, just as he didn't then.

I like Burke and the way he does things, but am glad that Nonis is running the show now...It's hard to upgrade on someone like Burke, but I think the Leafs did just that...
- Flyfreaky

Nonis made one good trade which was influenced surely by Tim, that doesnt really count... what he does after that is all Nonis, which we will find out soon enough

Didn`t realize Kessel was a multi-sport athlete

He still makes some plays that will piss off Leafs fans. I remember seeing him in Dallas just watch as a guy picked up the puck near him, went on a breakaway and scored. Didn't even try to chase him... just kinda turned around and skated away.

That`s one part of what you get with Ribeiro, and the part that people who don`t want him will point to.

But then there`s the part where he`s an insanely talented play maker who will piss off the other team to no end.
- Feeling Glucky?

I don't understand how Leafs fans snivel like little girls with broken pony dolls at the loss of Komarov, but won't consider Ribeiro.

wtf?

that guy has like 2 followers...
- Mapleleafs_91

You're failing to imagine what a great fit Dion and Torts would be

NHL Rumors ‏@NHLRumorsDaily 16h
Heard some interesting info involving Vancouver and Toronto. A discussed deal was Kesler and D-man for Phaneuf fwd and prospect

Grabs & Dion for Bieksa and Kesler?

lawlz!
- AngryWhiteMale

Kessler... ugh.

I honestly don't know what to think about this guy. If you get Kesler at his best, you are getting a great #1 center with a two-way game.

But he could be one injury away from early retirement, too.

aren't we just discussing above how kessel is better than what we traded for? I am pretty sure kessel is worth even more than what we traded for him now
- Mapleleafs_91

nope

we're discussing if it was a good move at the time. The fact it turned out relatively well for the Leafs isn't the point. It's great, but it still doesn't make it a good move at the time.

but this certainly doesn't need more discussion.

Exactly...Burke played the odds, knowing what he was getting in Kessel. Kessel has now been better than a point per game forward, and among the league's elite the last two seasons. And, he's only 25 years old. Burke doesn't regret any part of that deal now, just as he didn't then.
- p_zub

Kessel still doesn't get enough respect.

He went from being a one-dimensional sniper to a guy whose passes are as quick, accurate and deadly as sharks with laser beams on their foreheads.

Exactly...Burke played the odds, knowing what he was getting in Kessel. Kessel has now been better than a point per game forward, and among the league's elite the last two seasons. And, he's only 25 years old. Burke doesn't regret any part of that deal now, just as he didn't then.
- p_zub

Who cares, alot of leaf fans are happy we have kessel and have accepted the deal and put it in the past. I for one, am happy kessel is here.

Leafs Front ‏@LeafsFront 1h
Leafs have contacted the Oilers about the 7th overall pick. Hearing Gunnarsson/Phaneuf are in play.

While I believe that the Leafs would be willing to move up in the draft, and that Dion could very well be on his way out, something tells me moving two Dmen in this case isn't a very smart move.
- AngryWhiteMale

specially if they're 1 d pairing

NHL Rumors ‏@NHLRumorsDaily 16h
Heard some interesting info involving Vancouver and Toronto. A discussed deal was Kesler and D-man for Phaneuf fwd and prospect

Grabs & Dion for Bieksa and Kesler?

lawlz!
- AngryWhiteMale

No Kesler is done.

Kessler... ugh.

I honestly don't know what to think about this guy. If you get Kesler at his best, you are getting a great #1 center with a two-way game.

But he could be one injury away from early retirement, too.
- Leeman4Gilmour

not to mention Bowen wouldn't be able to call a game anymore when Kesler passes to Kessel

nope

we're discussing if it was a good move at the time. The fact it turned out relatively well for the Leafs isn't the point. It's great, but it still doesn't make it a good move at the time.
- Big_Lightnin

Risk my dude, which is why we took another risk on bernier Bernier and Reimer sharing the duties is going to be good

Monohan is a steal...played on a crappy Ottawa team
- AngryWhiteMale

Would love love love to get Monohan.

Kessler... ugh.

I honestly don't know what to think about this guy. If you get Kesler at his best, you are getting a great #1 center with a two-way game.

But he could be one injury away from early retirement, too.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Yeah but I'd rather take a chance with Kesler than watch Grabs make 5.5 per to be a checking centre.

I know RC has a place for Grabs, but it just seemed like Grabs would either over-cycle, or gain the blueline and just lose the puck, not really sure what to do with it

Kessel still doesn't get enough respect.

He went from being a one-dimensional sniper to a guy whose passes are as quick, accurate and deadly as sharks with laser beams on their foreheads.
- AngryWhiteMale

My gut feeling says he never will, and that's a shame because many Leaf fans may never fully realize and accept we have a top-tier player on this team.

When all is said and done I think I'd rather have the likes of Gagner at a cheaper rate slotting into the centre role than having the likes of Stats, Weiss, Kesler and all other aforementioned.

Risk my dude, which is why we took another risk on bernier Bernier and Reimer sharing the duties is going to be good
- Mapleleafs_91

lot smaller risk dude. Gave up very little to get Massive potential.

My gut feeling says he never will, and that's a shame because many Leaf fans may never fully realize and accept we have a top-tier player on this team.
- p_zub

They'd have nothing to complain about.

When all is said and done I think I'd rather have the likes of Gagner at a cheaper rate slotting into the centre role than having the likes of Stats, Weiss, Kesler and all other aforementioned.
- AngryWhiteMale

He sucks at faceoffs, and looks like cogliano 2.0, brassard 2.0

Would love love love to get Monohan.
- markmark

the leafs need to upgrade thier fwd propects..they are very thin..almost non existent.
I think monahan is older (by draft age), but he dropped by being in a last place team after they traded graovac and ceci etc... then he had a 10 game suspension.. could be a steal at 6,7,8

When all is said and done I think I'd rather have the likes of Gagner at a cheaper rate slotting into the centre role than having the likes of Stats, Weiss, Kesler and all other aforementioned.
- AngryWhiteMale

Gagner is no more a #1C than what we have now... Kadri arguably has better 1C potential.

wouldn't make any sense.

lot smaller risk dude. Gave up very little to get Massive potential.
- Big_Lightnin

Still a gamble, which worked out. Burke believed we would NOT come in last but he thought wrong which is why the deal looked so bad before