To be fair, if it's true that Kesler hasn't asked out, Gillis holds all the cards. I think him being dealt for a Johansen type is implausible but he should still get a high return.
- S Kaspar Rollins

No way man. When's the last time a proven legit top 6 player under contract was able to get traded for a good young player? People need to stop overvaluing Kesler, this is Luongo 2.0.

To be fair, if it's true that Kesler hasn't asked out, Gillis holds all the cards. I think him being dealt for a Johansen type is implausible but he should still get a high return.
- S Kaspar Rollins

Walshy's last line is a beaut.

Walshy's last line is a beaut.
- Woderwick

Wasted on a stupid post, but it was classic.

I think you guys missed the best part of this....
- Iggysbff

You never miss a thing Iggy.

You never miss a thing Iggy.
- Woderwick

I was talking to Nucker....

If I'm a GM, I'm on the phone right now, calling about Kessler.

This would be a great time to take advantage of one of the bottom 5 GMs in the league.

If I'm a GM, I'm on the phone right now, calling about Kessler.

This would be a great time to take advantage of one of the bottom 5 GMs in the league.
- Charliebox

So you're not a GM...so, outside of that post, what are you doing right now?

If I'm a GM, I'm on the phone right now, calling about Kessler.

This would be a great time to take advantage of one of the bottom 5 GMs in the league.
- Charliebox

Kesler for Schneider

Surprisingly, none of the bloggers have written anything about this, but I just heard that the IOC is going to pay Tavares' salary until he returns.

It seems to me that it's a clear sign they will do what it takes to have the NHLers come back.

As I've said extensively in other comment sections about the NHL going back to the Olympics, the hockey tournament is a huge cash cow for the IOC and losing NHL players would be a disaster.

I think Bettman should be able to get something worked out with the IOC to bring the players back to the next winter games. Clearly, they are ready to concede a few things, here.

Surprisingly, none of the bloggers have written anything about this, but I just heard that the IOC is going to pay Tavares' salary until he returns.

It seems to me that it's a clear sign they will do what it takes to have the NHLers come back.

As I've said extensively in other comment sections about the NHL going back to the Olympics, the hockey tournament is a huge cash cow for the IOC and losing NHL players would be a disaster.

I think Bettman should be able to get something worked out with the IOC to bring the players back to the next winter games. Clearly, they are ready to concede a few things, here.
- Charliebox

I think that depends where you heard that.

If I was Bettman, I would get the IOC to agree to a clause that they would reduce the percentage of boring as hell rather chew on tinfoil than watch games from 85% down to the 50% range.

http://www.torontosun.com...ohn-tavares-injury-source

If I'm a GM, I'm on the phone right now, calling about Kessler.

This would be a great time to take advantage of one of the bottom 5 GMs in the league.
- Charliebox

Offer to beat is Kesler for a 1st for Sutter. Or Sam Gagner. Or Kadri's used jock strap and cup. Depends on which Canuck fan you ask, it's hard to decide with so many great offers really.

I don't necessarily think its him being a baby if its cause the Olympics. If your own GM does not believe in you enough to put you on the roster the first time, then how can he want to play for someone who does not believe in him. Idk that's what I think on it. I personally think he should have been left off the roster, but I do know a whole ton of people who thinks he should have made it the first time.

They deleted my post





BTW that's a spot on Whipper impression!
- Iggysbff

walking your labradoodles?

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/02/27/ioc-to-compensate-new-york-islanders-for-john-tavares-injury-source
- Iggysbff

Interesting precedent. Now what about Barkov, Zetterberg, Martin, etc?

Interesting precedent. Now what about Barkov, Zetterberg, Martin, etc?
- 1979AD

If they are going to do that you'd think they would just cover the insurance cost next time around.

I don't necessarily think its him being a baby if its cause the Olympics. If your own GM does not believe in you enough to put you on the roster the first time, then how can he want to play for someone who does not believe in him. Idk that's what I think on it. I personally think he should have been left off the roster, but I do know a whole ton of people who thinks he should have made it the first time.
- SJSHARKIES

I can't think of anything else more babyish. What about the TBay fans who love him? You desert them because your GM assembled a team of what he thought were better Canadian forwards based on certain needs and roles? (frank)ing egotistical cry baby.

Surprisingly, none of the bloggers have written anything about this, but I just heard that the IOC is going to pay Tavares' salary until he returns.

It seems to me that it's a clear sign they will do what it takes to have the NHLers come back.

As I've said extensively in other comment sections about the NHL going back to the Olympics, the hockey tournament is a huge cash cow for the IOC and losing NHL players would be a disaster.

I think Bettman should be able to get something worked out with the IOC to bring the players back to the next winter games. Clearly, they are ready to concede a few things, here.
- Charliebox

I heard the agreement was in place before this Olympics. I'll try and find a link

If they are going to do that you'd think they would just cover the insurance cost next time around.
- Iggysbff

Isurance, right. Tavares' salary (and all NHL players playing in Sochi) were insured against injury, were they not!? This story doesn't make any sense - the insurance company will be paying Tavares' salary.

I don't necessarily think its him being a baby if its cause the Olympics. If your own GM does not believe in you enough to put you on the roster the first time, then how can he want to play for someone who does not believe in him. Idk that's what I think on it. I personally think he should have been left off the roster, but I do know a whole ton of people who thinks he should have made it the first time.
- SJSHARKIES

It wasn't just Yzerman who didn't believe Marty should be on the roster. It was the entire committee who Yzerman allowed to be a part of the process instead of Yzerman getting up in a golden chair and acting like the judge and jury. It was a committee who decided and Yzerman wasn't going to abuse his power regardless of what the decision was. The Canadian roster was ridiculously deep and there were alot of very deserving players who didn't get named who if they were from damn near any other country would have been first liners. It's the nature of the beast for Canadian born players and a testament to the amount of talent that comes from Canada

I heard the agreement was in place before this Olympics. I'll try and find a link
- uf1910

"It is not official yet, so none of the principals are commenting for the record, as the deal between the league, union, IOC and the International Ice Hockey Federation is now in the hands of the lawyers. They are hashing out the details, which might produce a snag, but there are hopes a formal agreement can be produced within two weeks.

However, the major hurdle was cleared a while ago, when the IOC was convinced by the NHL and NHLPA to open its massive wallet and pay the lion’s share of the costs of shutting the North American league down for two weeks and bringing the players to Russia. This includes the most expensive item – insurance on the NHL players’ contracts in case of injury"


http://www.theglobeandmai...olympics/article12792135/

Isurance, right. Tavares' salary (and all NHL players playing in Sochi) were insured against injury, were they not!? This story doesn't make any sense - the insurance company will be paying Tavares' salary.
- 1979AD

They were definitely insured. By who and for what I have no clue?

Talking to sources and based on the history of Mike Gillis....well as one source said, "He had 18 months to trade Luongo after he requested a trade and wasn't happy with the returns. Ten days for Kessel isn't promising."


Phil isnt going anywhere...8yr deal with clauses...where did you get this rumor?
- PinkSock

Not to mention Gillis isn't even the GM of Toronto lol.

Gillis is one of the worst GMs in the business. I wouldn't say a Kesler deal won't happen. He is due to make another dumb move, Gillis that is.
- Oneonta Penguin

Ummmmmm...

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC · 5m
Kesler added he has never been asked to waive by the team.

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC · 4m
Says he hopes to play tomorrow but is not sure if he will.


Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC · 5m
Says he is happy here: "my son was born here."


Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC · 7m
Says he does not want to be asked about it...and doesn't want his teammates asked about it. Too much distraction.

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC · 7m
Kesler says it is "completely false" he has asked for a trade