has it atleast been cordial around here? Few times ive snuck a peek in seems this place is a ghost town lately
- hubie

It's been pretty barren... There's just not much to converse about.

Because I saw that pic, I quit my job, got an 8 ball and am currently sitting in a seedy hotel room with a bottle of Hennessy and 2 very distracted hookers. Thanks a lot.
- mes418

It's alright, you'll pull through. Happens to me all the time.

I'm in crisis and all you can think about is fixing your linkage.
- mes418

what you call a crisis some call a tuesday

Because I saw that pic, I quit my job, got an 8 ball and am currently sitting in a seedy hotel room with a bottle of Hennessy and 2 very distracted hookers. Thanks a lot.
- mes418

http://eddietrunk.com/hoo...announce-fall-tour-dates/

You guys are the best. I knew I could count on you. Oh, I'm down to one hooker now. I just have to find someone to help me get this heavy plastic garbage bag in the trunk.

love the inclusion of Ryan in your blog. was a good post until your homerism ruined it.
- Jurco_28

How can it be homerism? I included Bobby Ryan because who his contractual value + production from his days in Anaheim. I'm not a gypsy, I can't predict the future. He could be a bust in Ottawa he hasn't proven a thing.

I would have to agree with this. Kessel is a good player but he is not elite, however could easily be if he strings together a few more 35g 82pt seasons. having him in the 8million range would be crazy to think a 18m cap hit line of Lupul Bozak and Kessel, would be bad cap management in my opinion.

Try and sign him for 6.5m-7m on a long term deal.
And yes I know Stastnys contract is dumb and over paid, so lets not troll on me bc of that, he is about 2m overpaid
- DDM-Coga

I 100% agree with you.

You guys are the best. I knew I could count on you. Oh, I'm down to one hooker now. I just have to find someone to help me get this heavy plastic garbage bag in the trunk.
- mes418

Don't do that - Get a 55 gallon drum and some hydrofluoric acid. This isn't 1975, you need to get with current hooker-disposal protocol.

Ryan? LOL 2 Pa Parenteau's? Phils worth 7 you say but not 8? Caps going up...And what you would rather, isnt what you get, Iwho wouldnt rather Crosby over Phil but thats impossible its not NHL 14, its the Leafs and the real NHL
- PinkSock

Bobby Ryan 0.76ppg regular season. 0.57ppg playoffs. Career +3 with a 14.1% shooting percentage.

Phil Kessel 0.75ppg regular season. 0.95ppg playoffs. Career -36 with a 10.9% shooting percentage.

P-A Parenteau 0.72ppg regular season. No playoff experience. Career -30 with a 12.3% shooting percentage.

What are you LOLing at? They're all similar players statistically. Only difference between Ryan and Kessel is Ryan is bigger, plays physical and can play in both ends of the ice. Difference between Parenteau and Kessel is playoff experience. WAIT we're talking about the REAL NHL?! ERMAGHERD! I HAD NO IDEA. Have you ever heard of a hypothetical situation? I was using an example. You obviously can't just say HEY I WANT TWO LOUI ERIKSSONS. It was an example.

Not to mention Parenteau signed a 'CAP FRIENDLY' 4-year 16$ million dollar deal. In the cap era, 1 million is a lot so the difference between 7 and 8 is a lot. I would rather have Parenteau @ 4 million per season than Kessel @ 8 million. It's ok the like one player better than the other but to try and justify a 4 million dollar gap between two statistically similar players is hogwash.

Don't do that - Get a 500 gallon drum and some hydrofluoric acid. This isn't 1975, you need to get with current hooker-disposal protocol.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Ahhhh...the seventies! When hiding things with a thin covering of leaves was all the rage. So old...

Ahhhh...the seventies! When hiding things with a thin covering of leaves was all the rage. So old...


- mes418

Just leave the drum in storage, and don't forget to pay the facility. The last thing you need is Storage Wars discovering a half-decomposed hooker body covered in nearly dissolved, sequined lingerie.

Phil Kessel is a complex dynamic. His perception was damaged at first because of the trade that sent him to the Leafs. Even though he isn't the one that made the trade the expectation was that he had to score 45-50 goals to make it a "fair trade".

In my opinion Kessel has been a very good to great player. He has dynamic skating ability as well as a game breaking shot.

I believe that he has been held back due to the Leaf's lack of progress in finding him a useful center. Contrary to some people's belief Tyler Bozak and Kessel do not have good chemistry, in fact it is the opposite. Kessel's goals for and puck possession increase when he plays away from Bozak.

I do not believe that we have seen Kessel's true ceiling yet and that is what will complicate his value moving forward.
- Ryan_Wilson

So what your saying is that Bozak = Derek Roy

Phil Kessel is a complex dynamic. His perception was damaged at first because of the trade that sent him to the Leafs. Even though he isn't the one that made the trade the expectation was that he had to score 45-50 goals to make it a "fair trade".

In my opinion Kessel has been a very good to great player. He has dynamic skating ability as well as a game breaking shot.

I believe that he has been held back due to the Leaf's lack of progress in finding him a useful center. Contrary to some people's belief Tyler Bozak and Kessel do not have good chemistry, in fact it is the opposite. Kessel's goals for and puck possession increase when he plays away from Bozak.

I do not believe that we have seen Kessel's true ceiling yet and that is what will complicate his value moving forward.
- Ryan_Wilson

I agree with him not having great chemistry with Bozak. That was evident but a lot of people choose not to believe it. Kessel would be a much better player (like most) if he had a legitimate top line playmaking centre. Bozak and Kadri are not the answer. Not a knock on those two guys, they're great players, but they're not the right guys to play with Phil Kessel.

Just leave the drum in storage, and don't forget to pay the facility. The last thing you need is Storage Wars discovering a half-decomposed hooker body covered in nearly dissolved, sequined lingerie.


- LetsGoBuffalo75

Or cut-off jean shorts and a stained tube top.

So what your saying is that Bozak = Derek Roy
- buffalofan19

A below average Derek Roy if I'm being honest.

I agree with him not having great chemistry with Bozak. That was evident but a lot of people choose not to believe it. Kessel would be a much better player (like most) if he had a legitimate top line playmaking centre. Bozak and Kadri are not the answer. Not a knock on those two guys, they're great players, but they're not the right guys to play with Phil Kessel.
- PeskySens

Tyler Bozak isn't great. If he is in your top 6 your team needs significantly more work.

Bobby Ryan 0.76ppg regular season. 0.57ppg playoffs. Career +3 with a 14.1% shooting percentage.

Phil Kessel 0.75ppg regular season. 0.95ppg playoffs. Career -36 with a 10.9% shooting percentage.

P-A Parenteau 0.72ppg regular season. No playoff experience. Career -30 with a 12.3% shooting percentage.

What are you LOLing at? They're all similar players statistically. Only difference between Ryan and Kessel is Ryan is bigger, plays physical and can play in both ends of the ice. Difference between Parenteau and Kessel is playoff experience. WAIT we're talking about the REAL NHL?! ERMAGHERD! I HAD NO IDEA. Have you ever heard of a hypothetical situation? I was using an example. You obviously can't just say HEY I WANT TWO LOUI ERIKSSONS. It was an example.

Not to mention Parenteau signed a 'CAP FRIENDLY' 4-year 16$ million dollar deal. In the cap era, 1 million is a lot so the difference between 7 and 8 is a lot. I would rather have Parenteau @ 4 million per season than Kessel @ 8 million. It's ok the like one player better than the other but to try and justify a 4 million dollar gap between two statistically similar players is hogwash.
- PeskySens

Yeah because Kessel barely played his first two years that weighs down his PPG like an anchor.

That's 150 games before he really solidified himself as a top 6 player, never mind PPG first liner he has been last two years.

And Paranteau has always had great centers. Duchene and Tavares compared to Tyler Bozak... Yeah nothing against Bozak but that's quite the difference.

Or cut-off jean shorts and a stained tube top.
- mes418

It's okay, we all go through tough times. We're here for you, man. It's always darkest before the dawn, bud

It's okay, we all go through tough times. We're here for you, man. It's always darkest before the dawn, bud
- LetsGoBuffalo75

1st blog in weeks I actually feel like commenting on. Goes to show the lack of quality lately...

Anyway, I dont understand where this sudden confidence in Vanek re-signing is coming from, because its simply isnt going to happen.

Now Garth is right on the whole Kessel/Vanek thing. They are going to get 8 yr, 60-70 mil deals IMO, but Kessel is the one far more likely to stay where hes at. The Leafs are poised to make a playoff run for the next 3-5 years with the pieces they have, while the Sabres, unless lightning strikes fast (and with the depth of young talent they have, it very well could) are looking at a 2 year window from being a 7-8 playoff team, let alone a quality contending team.

Its looking more and more likely that Vanek will be a Sabre to start the season, but dont get used to the picture of him in blue and gold. That interview he did with the Minny TV station showed me a man who has his mind 90% made up. If this team doesnt show a real attitude towards being a winner right away, hes walking next summer, if he isnt traded sooner.

Regier can do himself a real favor by putting him on the market immediately. His return will be an even further shot in the arm towards the future

?
- LetsGoBuffalo75

I prefer brown brown

Phil Kessel is a complex dynamic. His perception was damaged at first because of the trade that sent him to the Leafs. Even though he isn't the one that made the trade the expectation was that he had to score 45-50 goals to make it a "fair trade".

In my opinion Kessel has been a very good to great player. He has dynamic skating ability as well as a game breaking shot.

I believe that he has been held back due to the Leaf's lack of progress in finding him a useful center. Contrary to some people's belief Tyler Bozak and Kessel do not have good chemistry, in fact it is the opposite. Kessel's goals for and puck possession increase when he plays away from Bozak.

I do not believe that we have seen Kessel's true ceiling yet and that is what will complicate his value moving forward.
- Ryan_Wilson

I think you can make a lot of comparisons between Kessel and Vanek

Kessel is faster of course

When Kessel was the 4th or 5th option, he thrived like Vanek did
Then Kessel is moved to the leafs and their building block up front, like Vanek was after Briere and Drury left

Once they both got paid, the expectations were so high on both players and neither player has elite talent around them

Then they get the bad label because the GM can't give them 1 or 2 linemates with equivalent skills.

IMO Kessel is a much better player then Vanek and will only get better but both players would be a fringe all star player on a yearly basis with a pass first top line legit center

side note Kessel has over 130 points in his last 130 games

You guys are the best. I knew I could count on you. Oh, I'm down to one hooker now. I just have to find someone to help me get this heavy plastic garbage bag in the trunk.
- mes418

I watched the Ice Man last night

great flick

I think you can make a lot of comparisons between Kessel and Vanek

Kessel is faster of course

When Kessel was the 4th or 5th option, he thrived like Vanek did
Then Kessel is moved to the leafs and their building block up front, like Vanek was after Briere and Drury left

Once they both got paid, the expectations were so high on both players and neither player has elite talent around them

Then they get the bad label because the GM can't give them 1 or 2 linemates with equivalent skills.

IMO Kessel is a much better player then Vanek and will only get better but both players would be a fringe all star player on a yearly basis with a pass first top line legit center

side note Kessel has over 130 points in his last 130 games
- homiedclown

They both share the same introverted personalities, that is for sure.

I think you can make a lot of comparisons between Kessel and Vanek

Kessel is faster of course

When Kessel was the 4th or 5th option, he thrived like Vanek did
Then Kessel is moved to the leafs and their building block up front, like Vanek was after Briere and Drury left

Once they both got paid, the expectations were so high on both players and neither player has elite talent around them

Then they get the bad label because the GM can't give them 1 or 2 linemates with equivalent skills.

IMO Kessel is a much better player then Vanek and will only get better but both players would be a fringe all star player on a yearly basis with a pass first top line legit center

side note Kessel has over 130 points in his last 130 games
- homiedclown

Both can be very streaky as well. Both when they are not scoring, rarely do anything else that positively effects their team. When either are on their game, they are both by far the best players on the ice. They are similar I agree