Phaneuf with Conroys wife, it goes on and on
- DDM-Coga

I like how Phaneuf and Kessel were both unwanted on their previous teams b/c they were "cancers" in the locker room.

Both have been model citizens in Toronto. Both are liked by the whole team and organization. Phaneuf has showed a lot of maturity and class as captain of the Leafs.

All sorts of interesting buzz re Kesler trade deadline moves in multiple threads. I think last wednesday was a Narcissus mirror in which each fan base saw only its own reflections. The Blackhawks, through Mr. Jaeckel, spun some elaborate theories, their complexity somehow proof of their truth. "It would take a genius to make up a scenario like this where so many dots clearly connect." Well...i'm no genius but here's some dots Detroit style.

A once in a career opportunity stared Kesler right in the face, that appeared out of nowhere. One day before the Trade Deadline the wings were thinking blueline upgrade. Suddenly Datsyuk is shut down for 3 weeks, Weiss has another "set back," and Helm gets injured again. Z already shut down til May and Andersson's audition for topline center minutes was, shall we say "underwhelming." Panic in Detroit! Five star level need for a center.

Enter Special K. Nucks seemingly on verge of fire sale, post Lou ejection. Wings now a safe trading partner in the other conference. Kesler grew up in Livonia MI. He could have come home and instantly been the topline center. Think about that for a second. Could've owned Hockeytown and saved the greatest playoff streak in sports history. Do that and he could end up Captain in a few years. How often does such a moment come along?

Pens, Ducks, Hawks - all thought Kesler was waiving his no-trade clause only for them. Really? For the honor of being Patty Kane's second fiddle, third fiddle to Hossa, fourth fiddle to JT? More room to shine around Sid/Gino? Getz/Perry? He's spent his whole career cleaning up behind the Twins. Doesn't a true star turn with his hometown team make more sense? And Detroit would've overpaid big time. Helm and Eaves, 2d round pick, the spectacular Jarnkrok and probably a second top prospect. Our farm system is absolutely LOADED. Suddenly Gillis had to grow a pair. The Legwand Kesler-lite deal (Michigan boy, proven physical center but older and FA) hit the wires at 2:59 - waiting for Gillis to crack. Turns out he was chillin' on that golf course? Hard image to forget, let alone forgive. If i were Kesler, I'd stick to my guns right through the draft, and go exactly where I truly want to play. Gillis' leverage and credibility are in full Hindenberg mode. Everyone knows he has to make a deal and needs KESLER's approval. Don't help him sweeten the deal and make himself look good at your expense Ryan! Great Nucks explosion gif btw over on the 7-3 Islanders thread.
- meta_puck_luck

And that is why Kesler remains a Canuck.

Overpayment indeed.... ? ? ?

I like how Phaneuf and Kessel were both unwanted on their previous teams b/c they were "cancers" in the locker room.

Both have been model citizens in Toronto. Both are liked by the whole team and organization. Phaneuf has showed a lot of maturity and class as captain of the Leafs.
- 13LEAFS01

Yeah I agree, did you see that hit on JVR!!!!

oh wait a sec....

They believed they were. But in the end I hear MG could not get that approval
- Eklund

I can't imagine why they would have a problem with trading anyone to the Ducks. The Ducks look to be a team set to contend over the next 4 or 5 years, and the Canucks will be in some sort of a state of rebuild over that time.

MG is being puppetted from above. i don't hand him all the blame, but he's sure part of the problem. i don't mind playing this season out and cleaning it up over the summer...with MG, Torts, Kes, and whoever else wants out. I think it would be kind of exciting to rebuild this mess that has been the Canucks over the past five years. We can't do worse than Edmonton at a rebuild.

And that is why Kesler remains a Canuck.

Overpayment indeed.... ? ? ?
- Whiskey-Tango

I bet that is what the trade-tight Holland probably offered and that's why Kesler to Detroit never got much steam. Holland only overpays UFAs and trades too much for defensemen named Quincey.

I seriously doubt anyone wants the Sedins.
- 13LEAFS01

Says the guy with Bozak as their #1 Center

Says the guy with Bozak as their #1 Center
- glove_was_stuck

Bozak has been on fire...mind you he's not going to keep the offense up. He's more of a reliable player, defensive, faceoffs, great on the breakaway. Underrated and always will be. Right now the bozak contract looks alot better than either of the sedin sister's , especially given age.

I like how Phaneuf and Kessel were both unwanted on their previous teams b/c they were "cancers" in the locker room.

Both have been model citizens in Toronto. Both are liked by the whole team and organization. Phaneuf has showed a lot of maturity and class as captain of the Leafs.
- 13LEAFS01

Nice try. Go sell that to the Leafs thread and see what your response is. Most hate Phanuef.

Bozak has been on fire...mind you he's not going to keep the offense up. He's more of a reliable player, defensive, faceoffs, great on the breakaway. Underrated and always will be. Right now the bozak contract looks alot better than either of the sedin sister's , especially given age.
- clark_griswold

Active wording. The twilight of almost every long term deal is the poopty part. Those contracts were not so bad when they were a game away from the cup.

What's happening to Vancouver is undoubtedly fun to watch and for their arrogance hard earned. However no need to stoop to their level and troll. Especially when they still have a top center and you have a series of plugs.

All sorts of interesting buzz re Kesler trade deadline moves in multiple threads. I think last wednesday was a Narcissus mirror in which each fan base saw only its own reflections. The Blackhawks, through Mr. Jaeckel, spun some elaborate theories, their complexity somehow proof of their truth. "It would take a genius to make up a scenario like this where so many dots clearly connect." Well...i'm no genius but here's some dots Detroit style.

A once in a career opportunity stared Kesler right in the face, that appeared out of nowhere. One day before the Trade Deadline the wings were thinking blueline upgrade. Suddenly Datsyuk is shut down for 3 weeks, Weiss has another "set back," and Helm gets injured again. Z already shut down til May and Andersson's audition for topline center minutes was, shall we say "underwhelming." Panic in Detroit! Five star level need for a center.

Enter Special K. Nucks seemingly on verge of fire sale, post Lou ejection. Wings now a safe trading partner in the other conference. Kesler grew up in Livonia MI. He could have come home and instantly been the topline center. Think about that for a second. Could've owned Hockeytown and saved the greatest playoff streak in sports history. Do that and he could end up Captain in a few years. How often does such a moment come along?

Pens, Ducks, Hawks - all thought Kesler was waiving his no-trade clause only for them. Really? For the honor of being Patty Kane's second fiddle, third fiddle to Hossa, fourth fiddle to JT? More room to shine around Sid/Gino? Getz/Perry? He's spent his whole career cleaning up behind the Twins. Doesn't a true star turn with his hometown team make more sense? And Detroit would've overpaid big time. Helm and Eaves, 2d round pick, the spectacular Jarnkrok and probably a second top prospect. Our farm system is absolutely LOADED. Suddenly Gillis had to grow a pair. The Legwand Kesler-lite deal (Michigan boy, proven physical center but older and FA) hit the wires at 2:59 - waiting for Gillis to crack. Turns out he was chillin' on that golf course? Hard image to forget, let alone forgive. If i were Kesler, I'd stick to my guns right through the draft, and go exactly where I truly want to play. Gillis' leverage and credibility are in full Hindenberg mode. Everyone knows he has to make a deal and needs KESLER's approval. Don't help him sweeten the deal and make himself look good at your expense Ryan! Great Nucks explosion gif btw over on the 7-3 Islanders thread.
- meta_puck_luck

Says the guy with Bozak as their #1 Center
- glove_was_stuck

A lot of Leaf fans haven't had much faith in him, including myself, but it's kind of an odd thing to say in a season when he's ripping along at a point per game pace almost, and his role is to take care of most of the defensive play on that line. He's got one less point in 17 less games than Henrik Sedin this year.

He's shut quite a few Leaf fans up this year. I guess other fanbases haven't noticed? The Leafs record with him in the lineup vs out of the lineup is actually quite startling. It's probably no coincidence that the big slide they had earlier in the year coincided quite well with his absence from the lineup.

Record with him in the lineup - 26-15-3 - .625 pts %
record without him - 9-9-5 - .500%

Nice try. Go sell that to the Leafs thread and see what your response is. Most hate Phanuef.
- Iggysbff

Kessel is, was, and always will be a (frank)ing wussy. That kind of player has never been welcome here, and never will be. He was not willing to put in the work and play in the Bruins system. Trade worked out for both sides get over it.

Phaneuf on the other hand...well...I don't think I give a (frank) either way.

Active wording. The twilight of almost every long term deal is the poopty part. Those contracts were not so bad when they were a game away from the cup.

What's happening to Vancouver is undoubtedly fun to watch and for their arrogance hard earned. However no need to stoop to their level and troll. Especially when they still have a top center and you have a series of plugs.
- glove_was_stuck

Bozak will never be a hank sedin. But to say Hank is still a top centre (i consider top centre top 15) is a stretch. 10g, 40pts in 60 games for a TOP centre....debateable. We don't have a #1 centre and that's a fact. Im no kadri fan but as a 4some bozak, kadri, bolland, mcclemant are capable.

Hank sedin needs to put up pts; he plays minimal PK and we know how physical he is. Not trolling, i thought the contract the sedin's signed were brutal when they signed them. Should have been more like Sakic's towards the end - 1 year deals for more money. But i digress

Active wording. The twilight of almost every long term deal is the poopty part. Those contracts were not so bad when they were a game away from the cup. What's happening to Vancouver is undoubtedly fun to watch and for their arrogance hard earned. However no need to stoop to their level and troll. Especially when they still have a top center and you have a series of plugs.
- glove_was_stuck

Sedins just signed these deals THIS offseason

Active wording. The twilight of almost every long term deal is the poopty part. Those contracts were not so bad when they were a game away from the cup.

What's happening to Vancouver is undoubtedly fun to watch and for their arrogance hard earned. However no need to stoop to their level and troll. Especially when they still have a top center and you have a series of plugs.
- glove_was_stuck

Going forward, I think the Bozak contract will only look better vs the Sedins. The Sedins are at an age where they're heavily declining. $4M a year for a guy scoring a point per game playing solid defensively is a gigantic steal. For it to become a bad contract, especially when salaries rise, how far would his output have to drop? Further than I can possibly imagine it falling. He could drop back to a 50 point guy and it's still a good contract.

The Sedins are a different story. They have to be a point per game for those to look good, and I sincerely doubt that's going to happen. I can near guarantee it won't happen for 4 years.

I gave them congrats on the win....Didn't go over well...
- Fruitcakenipple

You're so cute

Kessel is, was, and always will be a (frank)ing wussy. That kind of player has never been welcome here, and never will be. He was not willing to put in the work and play in the Bruins system. Trade worked out for both sides get over it.

Phaneuf on the other hand...well...I don't think I give a (frank) either way.
- glove_was_stuck

Phaneuf's a tool. fricken captain? unreal.

wow our captain has been mature!!!

A lot of Leaf fans haven't had much faith in him, including myself, but it's kind of an odd thing to say in a season when he's ripping along at a point per game pace almost, and his role is to take care of most of the defensive play on that line. He's got one less point in 17 less games than Henrik Sedin this year.

He's shut quite a few Leaf fans up this year. I guess other fanbases haven't noticed? The Leafs record with him in the lineup vs out of the lineup is actually quite startling. It's probably no coincidence that the big slide they had earlier in the year coincided quite well with his absence from the lineup.

Record with him in the lineup - 26-15-3 - .625 pts %
record without him - 9-9-5 - .500%
- prock

You make a solid point. However it's one year. Sedin has done it for multiple seasons. Tell you what, he does it for another season, I might admit that I was wrong. Too soon IMO. His inconsistency could return.

Also it more than Bozak they injured down the middle. Isn;t that why they picked up Holland?

Going forward, I think the Bozak contract will only look better vs the Sedins. The Sedins are at an age where they're heavily declining. $4M a year for a guy scoring a point per game playing solid defensively is a gigantic steal. For it to become a bad contract, especially when salaries rise, how far would his output have to drop? Further than I can possibly imagine it falling. He could drop back to a 50 point guy and it's still a good contract.

The Sedins are a different story. They have to be a point per game for those to look good, and I sincerely doubt that's going to happen. I can near guarantee it won't happen for 4 years.
- prock

i've always been a bozie supporter, but his offense is more like 50 pts, maybe 60...he's like a pi** poor, PI** poor (before everyone jumps to conclusions) patrice bergeron in that he's more of a defensive guy who is a very smart player (bozie isn't very talented, but very smart and reliable). Plays an all round game

You make a solid point. However it's one year. Sedin has done it for multiple seasons. Tell you what, he does it for another season, I might admit that I was wrong. Too soon IMO. His inconsistency could return.

Also it more than Bozak they injured down the middle. Isn;t that why they picked up Holland?
- glove_was_stuck

i'd take bozie over kadri any day. Kadri is so one dimensional it's not funny. Kadri will get more points....that's about it

Sedins just signed these deals THIS offseason
- clark_griswold

OK then I stand corrected. Congrats?

You make a solid point. However it's one year. Sedin has done it for multiple seasons. Tell you what, he does it for another season, I might admit that I was wrong. Too soon IMO. His inconsistency could return.

Also it more than Bozak they injured down the middle. Isn;t that why they picked up Holland?
- glove_was_stuck

It was getting ridiculous at one point. For a team that isn't (on paper anyway) strong down the middle, they had Bozak and Bolland injured, and i think even Kadri suspended at one point, all at the same time. They needed some help down the middle pretty badly.

Holland hasn't been spectacular by any means, but he's filled the spot quite well. That was a pretty good trade. They gave up a pretty decent prospect, but at a position where they're incredibly deep anyway, and got one at a position where they have no depth, particularly among prospects, and a guy that's near NHL ready (that said, I don't think Holland has high end potential. Just a serviceable guy eventually).

OK then I stand corrected. Congrats?
- glove_was_stuck

i'll take what i can get...and seeing Van suffer (especially when apparently the sedins contract was better than the kessel one) is good enough

i've always been a bozie supporter, but his offense is more like 50 pts, maybe 60...he's like a pi** poor, PI** poor (before everyone jumps to conclusions) patrice bergeron in that he's more of a defensive guy who is a very smart player (bozie isn't very talented, but very smart and reliable). Plays an all round game
- clark_griswold

I actually have no idea why anyone would laugh at paying $4M for Bozak. Take him off the first line, drop him down, cut his output significantly, and he's still worth $4M. $4M doesn't buy you a top player these days. It buys you a top third liner, which, is basically Bozak's WORST case scenario.