Seriously? The Bolts are not going to trade Drouin.

Ok first off you are the one making the assumption that Kessel would line up with Stamkos. That doesn't make sense b/c you have 2 snipers on the same line

Secondly, our RW depth chart in no particular order is as follows
Calahan
Kucherov
Connolly
Paquette (C/RW)
JT Brown

Now That being said Brown does have potential to become a 3rd liner/shutdown type of guy. Calahan is the vet leader and top 6. Kucherov is an emerging stud and top 6. Connolly is mainly potential right now but we don't have a slot on a scoring line for him to realize that potential so he's playing on the 4th line with Boyle and Morrow. Paquette seems to have found a home on the 3rd line (for now) with Drouin and Killorn. Brown is a bottom 6 forward but with our depth we have a rotating scratch deal (unless we have an injury) where either Brown, Connolly, or Morrow are scratched each night. So again I ask, WHERE IS THE NEED FOR TAMPA TO ACQUIRE KESSEL?

Regarding the cost to acquire Kessel. I never said the cost was too high. I said the cost was TOO HIGH FOR TAMPA B/C KESSEL DOES NOT FILL A NEED FOR US.


I'm not even going to go further into the salary cap discussion b/c it isn't worth the time to argue something you clearly don't know or understand so lets just agree to disagree regarding Tampa's cap now and in the future and you focus on your Leafs cap now and into the future
- uf1910

I just don't see it happening but if TB got Kessel for Drouin, it would hands down make them the team to beat in the playoffs. They would actually be the team to beat for years to come with that lineup.
Trading Drouin is a tough pill to swallow though so I totally get why TB fans dont' want to have any part of it.

By the way, Kessel is a very good playmaker. Very underrated part of his game.

Ok first off you are the one making the assumption that Kessel would line up with Stamkos. That doesn't make sense b/c you have 2 snipers on the same line

Secondly, our RW depth chart in no particular order is as follows
Calahan
Kucherov
Connolly
Paquette (C/RW)
JT Brown

Now That being said Brown does have potential to become a 3rd liner/shutdown type of guy. Calahan is the vet leader and top 6. Kucherov is an emerging stud and top 6. Connolly is mainly potential right now but we don't have a slot on a scoring line for him to realize that potential so he's playing on the 4th line with Boyle and Morrow. Paquette seems to have found a home on the 3rd line (for now) with Drouin and Killorn. Brown is a bottom 6 forward but with our depth we have a rotating scratch deal (unless we have an injury) where either Brown, Connolly, or Morrow are scratched each night. So again I ask, WHERE IS THE NEED FOR TAMPA TO ACQUIRE KESSEL?

Regarding the cost to acquire Kessel. I never said the cost was too high. I said the cost was TOO HIGH FOR TAMPA B/C KESSEL DOES NOT FILL A NEED FOR US.


I'm not even going to go further into the salary cap discussion b/c it isn't worth the time to argue something you clearly don't know or understand so lets just agree to disagree regarding Tampa's cap now and in the future and you focus on your Leafs cap now and into the future
- uf1910

Kessel would be Tampa's 2nd best player. All you are saying is that he would add scoring depth and provide Tampa with the opportunity to use some of their forwards in roles more suited to their skill-set. It doesn't really matter what line Kessel plays on he'll help Tampa win which will help retain Stamkos. That's a big need for Tampa and it would give them a chance to acquire Franson in one move which is a RHD they have been looking for. So to be honest with you I don't know what you are talking about. Ask any knowledgeable Lightning fan if they could acquire a top pairing Dman and a 27yo +80P scorer without moving any significant pieces from the current squad (Drouin is a significant asset but not a significant contributor to the current roster) and every single on would at least be interested in listening.

I just don't see it happening but if TB got Kessel for Drouin, it would hands down make them the team to beat in the playoffs. They would actually be the team to beat for years to come with that lineup.
Trading Drouin is a tough pill to swallow though so I totally get why TB fans dont' want to have any part of it.

By the way, Kessel is a very good playmaker. Very underrated part of his game.
- Cooshie

We need a RHD, not another forward

I don't want Kessel b/c of what it does to our cap in the future. Stammer and Hedman are going to need fat extensions in the next 2 years. The youth we have while on the cheaper ELC or RFA deals will be huge in terms of keeping this core together all while that youth continues to develop and mature. Otherwise moving forward we will have to let guys like Palat and others walk b/c we will have $25M plus allocated in just 3 players with Kessel on board

For the bold-
EDIT: Kessel is a great player so I don't want any of this to be taken as a shot against him. He just doesn't fit Tampa which is what the other guys just doesn't seem to understand

Kessel would be Tampa's 2nd best player. All you are saying is that he would add scoring depth and provide Tampa with the opportunity to use some of their forwards in roles more suited to their skill-set. It doesn't really matter what line Kessel plays on he'll help Tampa win which will help retain Stamkos. That's a big need for Tampa and it would give them a chance to acquire Franson in one move which is a RHD they have been looking for. So to be honest with you I don't know what you are talking about. Ask any knowledgeable Lightning fan if they could acquire a top pairing Dman and a 27yo +80P scorer without moving any significant pieces from the current squad (Drouin is a significant asset but not a significant contributor to the current roster) and every single on would at least be interested in listening.
- Lipchitz

A decade or more ago, this would be a no brainer trade for TB. In today's hockey world with salary caps and better understanding of top end assets......I don't see how TB moves Drouin for Kessel unless there is also a future asset involved of value.

Kessel would be Tampa's 2nd best player. All you are saying is that he would add scoring depth and provide Tampa with the opportunity to use some of their forwards in roles more suited to their skill-set. It doesn't really matter what line Kessel plays on he'll help Tampa win which will help retain Stamkos. That's a big need for Tampa and it would give them a chance to acquire Franson in one move which is a RHD they have been looking for. So to be honest with you I don't know what you are talking about. Ask any knowledgeable Lightning fan if they could acquire a top pairing Dman and a 27yo +80P scorer without moving any significant pieces from the current squad (Drouin is a significant asset but not a significant contributor to the current roster) and every single on would at least be interested in listening.
- Lipchitz

No dude, all acquiring Kessel would do would push other guys further down the depth chart into roles they aren't suited for (See: Connolly, Brett).

And since I obviously have to continue this, if Kessel doesn't slot in with Stammer on the first line then logically he would go to the 2nd line. However, that would be ignoring the "Triplets" line of Kuch, Palat, and TJ who have been one of the best lines in the entire NHL this year (and that is not just my opinion, that is widely known around the league). So we either break up that line for Kessel or we move Kessel to the 3rd line. Yeah, again. Kessel to Tampa makes no sense.

We need a RHD, not another forward

I don't want Kessel b/c of what it does to our cap in the future. Stammer and Hedman are going to need fat extensions in the next 2 years. The youth we have while on the cheaper ELC or RFA deals will be huge in terms of keeping this core together all while that youth continues to develop and mature. Otherwise moving forward we will have to let guys like Palat and others walk b/c we will have $25M plus allocated in just 3 players with Kessel on board
- uf1910

I don't disagree with anything you say here....

A decade or more ago, this would be a no brainer trade for TB. In today's hockey world with salary caps and better understanding of top end assets......I don't see how TB moves Drouin for Kessel unless there is also a future asset involved of value.
- Cooshie

BINGO

Exactly what I have been trying to say

Sorry to hijack the thread everyone

Meant to post this earlier: [break trade down in 2]
To Buffalo: F Evander Kane (1st round; 4th pick overall 2009)

To Winnipeg: F Drew Stafford (Pending 29 year old UFA)
- Scoring top 6 winger. Still has a lot to give. Big body. Not perfect 2-way
F Joel Armia (1st RD pick 11: 16th overall)
- Mix of skill & physical play. Sounds a little like N. Foligno but more of 3rd liner
F Brendan Lemieux (2nd round; 31st overall 2014)
- U.S. born LW.putting up good numbers in the OHL

To Buffalo: D Zack Bogosian (3rd overall; 2008)
To Winnipeg: D Tyler Myers (12th overall; 2008)

Kevin Cheveldayoff makes the deal happen because those offensive pieces (Stafford + prospects) weren't enough for Kane. The value may be close but it wouldn't be enough to make the deal happen. So the simple swap of right handed shot D-men Myers is an upgrade on Bogosian. That's at least the case right now although Bogosian is just a good (if not better) skater and hockey IQ.

If you had the choice between the two which D-man would you take?

I don't disagree with anything you say here....
- Cooshie

only a sith deals in absolutes

Only way Drouin comes to Toronto:

Toronto:

Drouin

Tampa:

Gardiner
Kadri

Sorry to hijack the thread everyone
- uf1910

Kessel would be a better fit with the isles imo

Only way Drouin comes to Toronto:

Toronto:

Drouin

Tampa:

Gardiner
Kadri
- H8terade

That blows up TB 's cap

Only way Drouin comes to Toronto:

Toronto:

Drouin

Tampa:

Gardiner
Kadri
- H8terade

Ummm...from Toronto's side, yes! All day long.
From TB's side, No! All day long.

A decade or more ago, this would be a no brainer trade for TB. In today's hockey world with salary caps and better understanding of top end assets......I don't see how TB moves Drouin for Kessel unless there is also a future asset involved of value.
- Cooshie

You need to pay talent, when Drouin is good he'll be expensive. That's just the way it works.

Ummm...from Toronto's side, yes! All day long.
From TB's side, No! All day long.
- Cooshie

Franson to TB for a 1st

We need a RHD, not another forward

I don't want Kessel b/c of what it does to our cap in the future. Stammer and Hedman are going to need fat extensions in the next 2 years. The youth we have while on the cheaper ELC or RFA deals will be huge in terms of keeping this core together all while that youth continues to develop and mature. Otherwise moving forward we will have to let guys like Palat and others walk b/c we will have $25M plus allocated in just 3 players with Kessel on board

For the bold-
EDIT: Kessel is a great player so I don't want any of this to be taken as a shot against him. He just doesn't fit Tampa which is what the other guys just doesn't seem to understand
- uf1910

Then trade Kessel in a couple years. He'll be a 29yo 40G scorer still on a decent contract for years. It's not one or the other.

No dude, all acquiring Kessel would do would push other guys further down the depth chart into roles they aren't suited for (See: Connolly, Brett).

And since I obviously have to continue this, if Kessel doesn't slot in with Stammer on the first line then logically he would go to the 2nd line. However, that would be ignoring the "Triplets" line of Kuch, Palat, and TJ who have been one of the best lines in the entire NHL this year (and that is not just my opinion, that is widely known around the league). So we either break up that line for Kessel or we move Kessel to the 3rd line. Yeah, again. Kessel to Tampa makes no sense.
- uf1910

There is no logic to what you are saying. Seriously don't want Kessel because Brett freaking Connolly wouldn't be in his idea role? That's the most absurd thing I've read in ages. Pushing depth forwards down would certainly help the Lightning, adding an elite scorer would certainly help the Lightning. You can debate whether the value would be there but the rest is just laughable.

You need to pay talent, when Drouin is good he'll be expensive. That's just the way it works.
- Lipchitz

Also the way it works is after his ELC he becomes a RESTRICTED free agent.... those usually sign for less and if someone else wants them the team can match or get compensation. Really I don't see how trading Drouin for Kessel and making the cap issues occur sooner helps tampa compete longer

Then trade Kessel in a couple years. He'll be a 29yo 40G scorer still on a decent contract for years. It's not one or the other.
- Lipchitz

You sound like a used car salesman desperate to make a deal.

There are far potential fits for kessel than TB

Only way Drouin comes to Toronto:

Toronto:

Drouin

Tampa:

Gardiner
Kadri
- H8terade

Hello H8R8
Drouin > Kessel

Then trade Kessel in a couple years. He'll be a 29yo 40G scorer still on a decent contract for years. It's not one or the other.
- Lipchitz

Cuz when your forced to trade someone for cap reasons you always get great value. It still doesn't make sense to pull the trigger on that kind of deal Tampa doesn't have any cap space today either will force them to make immediate moves to reduce salary .

Hello H8R8
Drouin > Kessel
- SPIDEROCKSTAR

Not yet he isn't. Besides the deal wasn't for Kessel.

There is no logic to what you are saying. Seriously don't want Kessel because Brett freaking Connolly wouldn't be in his idea role? That's the most absurd thing I've read in ages. Pushing depth forwards down would certainly help the Lightning, adding an elite scorer would certainly help the Lightning. You can debate whether the value would be there but the rest is just laughable.
- Lipchitz

His logic is Tampa already has players who need to play not playing and acquiring Kessel doesn't help that situation one bit. Losing players on waivers and keeping them from playing so.they don't develop does not help the lightning. Kessel to Tampa does not make sense they just don't have the place for all those forwards in the lineup or for his contract under the cap now or in the future
That's what is being said nothing about Kessels trade value. He does not fit in Tampa it's that simple I don't get why it's so hard to understand