McDavid at that point will command top dollar...

Girgensons will be around 5-6 depending on where the cap ends up

Risto will be the same as Girgensons unless he steps up BIG time

Gionta will be gone

Reinhart wont command top dollar

Gorges will be gone

You make it seem like its not doable...
- Stripes77

Reinhart won't command top dollar ? i'm glad Murray isn't stupid.

doesn't shock me that you want Kessel, but yet you hate what Murray is doing with this team
- SABRES 89

Why would I not want a player that averages around 30 goals per season?

But then again 89, it certainly depends on what it would cost to attain him.

I don't know why so many people want Kessel. Sure he can score, but brings absolutely nothing else to the table. He makes too much for being a -19 +/- player. I know the Leafs are not good, but when you have 5 forwards that are on the + side (all with less points) it shows Kessel is on the ice for a lot more goals against than what he produces.
- adambuffalo

I am fine with him at the right price. He isn't a franchise player and thus shouldn't be paid like one. That is why Toronto is getting rid of him.

Um
Before this year we had 0 top 5 picks on this team.

Kane - Top 5 pick
Bogosian - Top 5 pick
Reinhart - 2nd overall
McEichel - Top 2
Kessel - Top 5 pick


5 top 5 picks on this team in one year.

This is nothing like where we have bene before.
- ImThatGuy

2 weeks ago everyone " rebuild take time " now all of a sudden since we made the trade for Kane, it's ok to rush and trade for Kessel, who cares what we give up for him.

If they had to conform to the new rules he would get 8? That's the freaking point! Hossa's cap hit is 5.25 million. You're right, he is slightly less valuable than Phil but appropriately paid. He wouldn't get Kessel cap hit because they aren't as dumb as the Leafs.
- Slump Buster

I like how you are choosing to ignore Kessel having more points than Ovi in the last 4 seasons...

He also has more points than Kane in the last 4 seasons as well but did play 13 more games

here is the breakdown:

PK 253 points 253 games 252 points .996 PPG
Ovi 259 games 252 points .972 PPG
Kessel 268 games 261 points .973 PPG

His cap hit of 8 million is and will be even more a bargain in 3 seasons...

I am fine with him at the right price. He isn't a franchise player and thus shouldn't be paid like one. That is why Toronto is getting rid of him.
- Slump Buster

I don't think Toronto trades him without getting a first and 2 prospects. That's not dumping a player, that's trading your best player for good pieces to build back up from.

2 weeks ago everyone " rebuild take time " now all of a sudden since we made the trade for Kane, it's ok to rush and trade for Kessel, who cares what we give up for him.
- SABRES 89

I think the cost will be higher for Buffalo.

Just my thought.

Reinhart won't command top dollar ? i'm glad Murray isn't stupid.
- SABRES 89

he is going to be a 60-70 ppg player...No not top dollar no Crosby, Stamkos, Kane money

I like how you are choosing to ignore Kessel having more points than Ovi in the last 4 seasons...

He also has more points than Kane in the last 4 seasons as well but did play 13 more games

here is the breakdown:

PK 253 points 253 games 252 points .996 PPG
Ovi 259 games 252 points .972 PPG
Kessel 268 games 261 points .973 PPG

His cap hit of 8 million is and will be even more a bargain in 3 seasons...
- Stripes77

Murray isn't stupid

he is going to be a 60-70 ppg player...No not top dollar no Crosby, Stamkos, Kane money
- Stripes77

Whatever, I give up.

I like how you are choosing to ignore Kessel having more points than Ovi in the last 4 seasons...

He also has more points than Kane in the last 4 seasons as well but did play 13 more games

here is the breakdown:

PK 253 points 253 games 252 points .996 PPG
Ovi 259 games 252 points .972 PPG
Kessel 268 games 261 points .973 PPG

His cap hit of 8 million is and will be even more a bargain in 3 seasons...
- Stripes77

I am not arguing the points. He gets a lot of points. I'd pay Ovi or any of the other guys 8 mill a years all day long. Kessel isn't worth that.

If they had to conform to the new rules he would get 8? That's the freaking point! Hossa's cap hit is 5.25 million. You're right, he is slightly less valuable than Phil but appropriately paid. He wouldn't get Kessel cap hit because they aren't as dumb as the Leafs.
- Slump Buster

If they had to conform to the new Rules they would not have been able to offer a 12 year deal nor to front load the contract.

I don't know why so many people want Kessel. Sure he can score, but brings absolutely nothing else to the table. He makes too much for being a -19 +/- player. I know the Leafs are not good, but when you have 5 forwards that are on the + side (all with less points) it shows Kessel is on the ice for a lot more goals against than what he produces.
- adambuffalo

Ovi was a freaking -35 last season...

Kessel out produced him last year too...

I am not arguing the points. He gets a lot of points. I'd pay Ovi or any of the other guys 8 mill a years all day long. Kessel isn't worth that.
- Slump Buster

What does Ovi do different than Kessel. Ovi make $10MM a year.

You get better production from Kessel for a lesser cap hit.

I will stand by this next statement:

If we win 1 Cup and have to tear it all down right after like the Marlins did when they won the Series so freaking be it...
- Stripes77

You had to go there.

Courtesy of Wiki:

They defeated the American League champion Cleveland Indians in the 1997 series, which was notable for shortstop Edgar Rentería driving in second baseman Craig Counsell for the series-clinching run in the eleventh inning of the seventh and deciding game.
That one still hurts me.

If they had to conform to the new Rules they would not have been able to offer a 12 year deal nor to front load the contract.
- ImThatGuy

Exactly. Either way weren't going to sign him for a cap hit of 8 mill. If I could get Kessel under Hossa's deal under the old rules I would do it all day long. That's the point. - this isn't 2008 and his cap hit is what it is under today's rules.

Ovi was a freaking -35 last season...

Kessel out produced him last year too...
- Stripes77

Who cares about Ovi and his -35 we are talking about Kessel and the Sabres. How the hell does Ovi keep coming into this.

I am not arguing the points. He gets a lot of points. I'd pay Ovi or any of the other guys 8 mill a years all day long. Kessel isn't worth that.
- Slump Buster

Explain to me how he isn't worth it if he out produces him?

Explain please.

Put him on any other team but Toronto do you feel the same way?

The guy scores the guy produces the guy can flat out fly on the ice

He is a purely offensive forward if that's your knock on him then I can accept that but so is Ovi not to mention he is 2 years younger

Murray isn't stupid
- SABRES 89

Opinions vary.

he is going to be a 60-70 ppg player...No not top dollar no Crosby, Stamkos, Kane money
- Stripes77

As of Capgeek's shutdown, there are 9 players with a bigger cap hit than Kessel (add 2 more with Kane/Toews coming next year).

Of those 9 players Giroux and Subban are younger and Crosby is the same age. Kessel has outscored (goals) all but 4 players in the NHL over the last 7 years and put up more points than all but 14 NHL players over the same period.

That performance deserves* that cap hit

*Deserves is put into perspective...lame disclaimer needed before someone talks about athletes making millions

What does Ovi do different than Kessel. Ovi make $10MM a year.

You get better production from Kessel for a lesser cap hit.
- ImThatGuy

To be honest I'm not a huge fan of wingers being your star player. I don't think they win a cup with Ovi. I wouldn't pay him that either but at least he is a star in this league.

Who cares about Ovi and his -35 we are talking about Kessel and the Sabres. How the hell does Ovi keep coming into this.
- SABRES 89

Slump brought up Ovi...

Who cares about Ovi and his -35 we are talking about Kessel and the Sabres. How the hell does Ovi keep coming into this.
- SABRES 89

I'm waiting for it to come full circle to ROR

To be honest I'm not a huge fan of wingers being your star player. I don't think they win a cup with Ovi. I wouldn't pay him that either but at least he is a star in this league.
- Slump Buster

If they get McEichel, Kessel isn't necessarily your star player

Explain to me how he isn't worth it if he out produces him?

Explain please.

Put him on any other team but Toronto do you feel the same way?

The guy scores the guy produces the guy can flat out fly on the ice

He is a purely offensive forward if that's your knock on him then I can accept that but so is Ovi not to mention he is 2 years younger
- Stripes77

Don't take my word for it. Why aren't teams going to line up around the block and dump a Herschel Walker-sized offer on them? He is a complimentary player. He might actually be the best one in the league, but he is not a building block.