Well, time will tell, but I think Ryan Johansen is a very good player soon to be an elite player. The guys only 21, 6'3 223lbs and got 63 pts last year. I also said I would ask for a prospect and 1st rounder as well.

The way I look at the Leafs is they are kinda in no mans land. They lucked out this year getting Nylander but if they hadn't colapsed at the end we would not have had a good kid. We are a team bordering a playoff team, maybe in maybe just miss. Too good to get a lottery pick, too bad to do anything special in the playoffs. How do we get to be a Chicago or an LA or someone who down the road as a serious cup contender?

Where do you think the Leafs will be in three years? Kessel will be 28 when the season starts in October. So in three yrs he will be 31 yrs old. His prime will be long behind him I think. I don't doubt even Buffalo will be better then us in three years with the kids they have plus I think they have 3 first rounders next year.
- sparky

as had been said, he'll be 27 next October... And, his prime will be long behind him? the prim he hasn't hit yet? that Prime?

Kessel has improved each of the last 3 seasons, and not just on the stat sheet. He hasn't hit his prime yet.

not sure if serious
- A_Tree

Johansen is awesome.

not sure if serious
- A_Tree

completely. centres with that size, strength and talent who score 33 goals at that age? that's outrageous and incredibly rare.

really? this is his first non-ppg season with the Leafs, and I think he was still on a 50 point pace.

Read an article yesterday, where he says he missed training last summer with an injury, and he's going to be able to put in a full summer this time around.
- Feeling Glucky?

Until he gets injured.

for a 33P 4th line centre?

why?
- Dozzer

He's not a 4th line centre. He's, IMHO, the perfect 3rd line centre. Great at every aspect of what you want from a 3rd line checking centre. Reg season he played almost 17 mins per night ....in the playoffs over 21 min/night.

On my team the 3rd line shut down centre is more important and plays more than the 2nd line scoring centre. This guy is one of the few that play that role very well.

Kessel is going to be 27
- A_Tree

Also, 31 will likely be tail end of his prime, not "well past"... and with all the extra padding he has, I wouldn't be surprised if he keeps going well into his 30s.

Until he gets injured.
- Atomic Wedgie

as had been said, he'll be 27 next October... And, his prime will be long behind him? the prim he hasn't hit yet? that Prime?

Kessel has improved each of the last 3 seasons, and not just on the stat sheet. He hasn't hit his prime yet.
- Badge

a player's prime years are typically 27-32 ish. if he's not in his prime he is just about to enter it.

new blog everyone

Hell, Kadri put up 50 points playing with no-show Lupul this season, and was near PPG last season.

I'd say some patience with him will pay off, and he'll stand a good shot at being a decent #1C
- Feeling Glucky?

Yeah I think he can be a #1C, maybe not a top 15 #1C, but a good one.

He's not a 4th line centre. He's, IMHO, the perfect 3rd line centre. Great at every aspect of what you want from a 3rd line checking centre. Reg season he played almost 17 mins per night ....in the playoffs over 21 min/night.

On my team the 3rd line shut down centre is more important and plays more than the 2nd line scoring centre. This guy is one of the few that play that role very well.
- The Law

It's why I was praying that the Kings would buy out Mike Richards.

And then I remembered God hates Leafs fans.

Well, time will tell, but I think Ryan Johansen is a very good player soon to be an elite player. The guys only 21, 6'3 223lbs and got 63 pts last year. I also said I would ask for a prospect and 1st rounder as well.

The way I look at the Leafs is they are kinda in no mans land. They lucked out this year getting Nylander but if they hadn't colapsed at the end we would not have had a good kid. We are a team bordering a playoff team, maybe in maybe just miss. Too good to get a lottery pick, too bad to do anything special in the playoffs. How do we get to be a Chicago or an LA or someone who down the road as a serious cup contender?

Where do you think the Leafs will be in three years? Kessel will be 28 when the season starts in October. So in three yrs he will be 31 yrs old. His prime will be long behind him I think. I don't doubt even Buffalo will be better then us in three years with the kids they have plus I think they have 3 first rounders next year.
- sparky

Are you on drugs?

First. He'll only be 31.

Second. He won't lose his scoring touch.

Third. His feet will keep up cause he doesnt play physical. I think he's good til 35. 31-35 are the years we need to make a run.

really? this is his first non-ppg season with the Leafs, and I think he was still on a 50 point pace.

Read an article yesterday, where he says he missed training last summer with an injury, and he's going to be able to put in a full summer this time around.
- Feeling Glucky?

yup. 22G, 44pts in 69 games, in what people are calling a down year.

Last summer half of this board was calling for Lupul to be captain when they let Dion go...

How much Nonis was willing to pay for Bolland again?
- Pecafan Fan

Wisers clap.

Sobotka > Bolland ....he really really is.


Quick somebody go cite "point totals" !!

Skinnyfish, is that you?
- A_Tree

how did you know?

You're like a sniper in the woods waiting for the target to come into view.
- LeafMan

I need the protection.

a player's prime years are typically 27-32 ish. if he's not in his prime he is just about to enter it.
- DoubleDown

right, so "long behind him" is pretty, well, wrong. He'll be in the middle of his prime in 3 years.

Well, time will tell, but I think Ryan Johansen is a very good player soon to be an elite player. The guys only 21, 6'3 223lbs and got 63 pts last year. I also said I would ask for a prospect and 1st rounder as well.

The way I look at the Leafs is they are kinda in no mans land. They lucked out this year getting Nylander but if they hadn't colapsed at the end we would not have had a good kid. We are a team bordering a playoff team, maybe in maybe just miss. Too good to get a lottery pick, too bad to do anything special in the playoffs. How do we get to be a Chicago or an LA or someone who down the road as a serious cup contender?

Where do you think the Leafs will be in three years? Kessel will be 28 when the season starts in October. So in three yrs he will be 31 yrs old. His prime will be long behind him I think. I don't doubt even Buffalo will be better then us in three years with the kids they have plus I think they have 3 first rounders next year.
- sparky

I don't think they'll be in any better position if they don't find a legit #1 and preferably a legit #1 Dman. We have high hope for Nylander. And in a few years Rielly will be our #1.

Johansen is going to be a complete monster. he's going to be a 40-goal 80-point physical centre. he's going to be the guy people point at as their dream #1, the way Getzlaf has been for 6-7 years.
- DoubleDown

Thankyou, at least someone else see's what I see and I would make that trade

Are you on drugs?

First. He'll only be 31.

Second. He won't lose his scoring touch.

Third. His feet will keep up cause he doesnt play physical. I think he's good til 35. 31-35 are the years we need to make a run.
- CanadianBodmon

No, not on drugs. I am not saying Kessel isn't a good player. Just if I was GM I would make that trade. In three years I would rather have a 24yr old Johannson then a 30 yr old Kessel. Plus the rest of the trade coming our way that was mentioned.

Kessel will keep improving until he's 45.

anyone who does that without some form of a protection doesn't deserve a penis.
- DoubleDown

chauvinist.

Wisers clap.

Sobotka > Bolland ....he really really is.


Quick somebody go cite "point totals" !!
- The Law

Well, he wasn't asking, let alone get what Bolland wanted...

edit: and got

Kessel will keep improving until he's 45.
- Pecafan Fan

C'mon, let's be reasonable...

40.