Slump brought up Ovi...
- Stripes77

I said Ovi and PKane would be the only wingers that I would pay that kind of money to

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

Sure, but you can only pay so many stars. You can't build around a one-dimensional winger.

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.
- Slump Buster

I agree 100% but we will have that building block in McEichel at the draft, along with Reinhart, Kane, and Girgensons.

Adding Kessel speeds this rebuild up

I said Ovi and PKane would be the only wingers that I would pay that kind of money to
- Slump Buster

Right and Kessel's production is right in the middle of those 2 and makes 2 million less...

I agree 100% but we will have that building block in McEichel at the draft, along with Reinhart, Kane, and Girgensons.

Adding Kessel speeds this rebuild up
- Stripes77

I don't even disagree with that. My whole point is that it shouldn't take much to get him because the contract is so bad. Some think it is worth it. I think we could get him for less and still have Toronto hold salary. Time will tell.

Kessel scores a lot. Good. He does absolutely nothing else for his team. You don't pay that much for someone that doesn't help at all in the other 125' of ice.

Right and Kessel's production is right in the middle of those 2 and makes 2 million less...
- Stripes77

Then why isn't his name all over the rumor mill?

Sure, but you can only pay so many stars. You can't build around a one-dimensional winger.
- Slump Buster

They would have 3, maybe 4 "stars". That's not the whole roster, and I think this team is quickly in the playoffs and scaring teams if he were on this roster.

Kessel scores a lot. Good. He does absolutely nothing else for his team. You don't pay that much for someone that doesn't help at all in the other 125' of ice.
- adambuffalo

That is exactly the point the hosts on 590 were making. The rest of the ice absolutely matters.

Kessel scores a lot. Good. He does absolutely nothing else for his team. You don't pay that much for someone that doesn't help at all in the other 125' of ice.
- adambuffalo

Yea who wants a guy that all he does is score 30+ goals a season. Those are sooooo easy to find.

They would have 3, maybe 4 "stars". That's not the whole roster, and I think this team is quickly in the playoffs and scaring teams if he were on this roster.
- stashu

I don't disagree at all. Just don't overpay to get him.

Kessel scores a lot. Good. He does absolutely nothing else for his team. You don't pay that much for someone that doesn't help at all in the other 125' of ice.
- adambuffalo

On a line with Kane (people say great 2-way player) and McEichel (I can't say on them, but I imagine they're good defensively?), it's fine. I'm pretty sure Pat Kane isn't a defensive dynamo

Then why isn't his name all over the rumor mill?
- Slump Buster

Because Toronto doesn't know how to build a team properly...they paid Kessel and Phaneuf all that money and didn't have any real core players which the Sabres have...

The Sabres aren't building around Kessel they are adding him to what is being built...that plus Kessel can't get along with Toronto media and who can blame him

Kessel scores a lot. Good. He does absolutely nothing else for his team. You don't pay that much for someone that doesn't help at all in the other 125' of ice.
- adambuffalo

He isnt the problem. Its the surroundings

Kessel has never had a 1C, or even a legit team around him. Same with Ovi. The narrative that you cant win with them is stupid IMO

I don't disagree at all. Just don't overpay to get him.
- Slump Buster

Opinions vary on what overpaying would be though. I posted earlier that I believe they'll get a first and 2 prospects at a minimum, with no salary retained. I do it in a heartbeat (not Buffalo's 1st this year, of course)

Kessel scores a lot. Good. He does absolutely nothing else for his team. You don't pay that much for someone that doesn't help at all in the other 125' of ice.
- adambuffalo

neither does Ovi and he gets paid 2 million more

He isnt the problem. Its the surroundings

Kessel has never had a 1C, or even a legit team around him. Same with Ovi. The narrative that you cant win with them is stupid IMO
- sbroads24

Exactly.

Which he would have here

neither does Ovi and he gets paid 2 million more


- Stripes77

My favorite GIF

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

when the points are scored matters. when the team is slumping and on a big losing streak is typically when he goes cold. He's a very skilled player who can go cold for long periods of time. Doesn't strike me as someone too interested in being a good team guy either.

Opinions vary on what overpaying would be though. I posted earlier that I believe they'll get a first and 2 prospects at a minimum, with no salary retained. I do it in a heartbeat (not Buffalo's 1st this year, of course)
- stashu

Agreed

If you can get him without moving any of the youth already on this team plus McEichel and Reinhart I would be all for it

neither does Ovi and he gets paid 2 million more


- Stripes77

To be fair Ovi has 2 seasons where he scored 60 goals.

neither does Ovi and he gets paid 2 million more
- Stripes77

Actually, Ovie been getting a lot of praise for his play in all 3 zones this year. I would pay the extra $2m a year for a 50 goal scorer that registers 200 hits a year.


Edit ... Damn autocorrect

Actually, Movie been getting a lot of praise for his play in all 3 zones this year. I would pay the extra $2m a year for a 50 goal scorer that registers 200 hits a year.
- adambuffalo

And there it is. The Buffalo blue collar notion.

when the points are scored matters. when the team is slumping and on a big losing streak is typically when he goes cold. He's a very skilled player who can go cold for long periods of time. Doesn't strike me as someone too interested in being a good team guy either.
- Isles_since_6

Really cause he was the only American player that showed up in the Olympics too

All scorers in the league go on slumps. There is no coincidence that when he isn't scoring the Leafs go on a losing skid since they rely on him to do all the scoring. The team is built horribly

To be fair Ovi has 2 seasons where he scored 60 goals.
- DynamicThreads

1 season and it was 7 years ago

Last 4 years Kessel out produces him (Ovi scores more obviously)