You guys have great forward depth...these guys were just Garth spending money he had to spend. The Leafs went out and got Winnik and Santorelli who were cheaper and better. And available.
- djamon

and Clarkson.

the sad part about the Grabo buy is where the extra cap space went, more than anything.
- Jeropotato

Sssshhhh.

You guys have great forward depth...these guys were just Garth spending money he had to spend. The Leafs went out and got Winnik and Santorelli who were cheaper and better. And available.
- djamon

The great F depth came now, but going into a season, you don't know what to expect from the kids, bc the kids stepped up big this year, now the isles depth increased. If Snow had a crystal ball and knew what was coming from the kids, trust me he might of gone a different route possibly....???

The great F depth came now, but going into a season, you don't know what to expect from the kids, bc the kids stepped up big this year, now the isles depth increased. If Snow had a crystal ball and knew what was coming from the kids, trust me he might of gone a different route possibly....???
- Ur Not Me

and whos to say the kids would have performed so well without some quality vets sprinkled among them?

If you think Kessel is a bad contract then you have issues. Kessel is paid a lot but elite players are. Eric Staal has a stupid contract for what he did last year but he doesn't have a bad contract he is just paid top dollar for an elite player.

I can understand valuing the 5th overall pick the way you are but you do have to realize that it could turn into a 2nd/3rd line player. It happens all the time, not all top 10 picks are top line players (see Skinner or Kadri).

If the deal is Kessel for Semin + 5th then Carolina would be dumb not to take it. Heck I would want more considering we are taking back a truly toxic contract (by the way the definition of a bad contract is much much less would that player sign for if the contract was re-signed today. Semin gets $3-4M, Kessel gets $7-8M).
- Steven_Dean

First comparing Eric Staal whose contract expires at age 32/33 vs Kessel whose contract expires at age 35/36 are two entirely different beasts signed during different years with different caps heck even different CBAs. You can compare the stats all you want Staal to this point has outscored in goals and points Kessel since he came into the league. He is also slightly better in the defensive end. Not only that but centermen are normally valued more in this league. Not saying the money amount for Kessel is bad, but the term and more specifically how old he will be at the end of it, scares the crap out of me.

I would be fine if the 5th overall pick became a 2nd/3rd liner. But the guys that should be there have 1st line potential written all over them, which I don't think you can overlook.

As for your offer. Yes Semin's contract is toxic. But in terms of real money, which matters with a team like Carolina, a $21 million commitment spread over 3 years vs a $64 million dollar commitment spread over 8 years is scary. Especially for a team that runs on an internal budget. If we had all the money in the world and that wasn't the case yes, it's a very intriguing offer, but in Raleigh that money is a commitment that could be the difference in our blueline now vs a semi-respectable one in a few years.

One last note. I love the idea of Kessel, but because of the real money and RF commitment to the future I don't know how plausible it is. That said a line of Staal-Staal-Kessel would be something that I would love to see.

and whos to say the kids would have performed so well without some quality vets sprinkled among them?
- Jeropotato

I'm not disagreeing, I knew this team needed more NHL talent added to roster.....

First comparing Eric Staal whose contract expires at age 32/33 vs Kessel whose contract expires at age 35/36 are two entirely different beasts signed during different years with different caps heck even different CBAs. You can compare the stats all you want Staal to this point has outscored in goals and points Kessel since he came into the league. He is also slightly better in the defensive end. Not only that but centermen are normally valued more in this league. Not saying the money amount for Kessel is bad, but the term and more specifically how old he will be at the end of it, scares the crap out of me.

I would be fine if the 5th overall pick became a 2nd/3rd liner. But the guys that should be there have 1st line potential written all over them, which I don't think you can overlook.

As for your offer. Yes Semin's contract is toxic. But in terms of real money, which matters with a team like Carolina, a $21 million commitment spread over 3 years vs a $64 million dollar commitment spread over 8 years is scary. Especially for a team that runs on an internal budget. If we had all the money in the world and that wasn't the case yes, it's a very intriguing offer, but in Raleigh that money is a commitment that could be the difference in our blueline now vs a semi-respectable one in a few years.

One last note. I love the idea of Kessel, but because of the real money and RF commitment to the future I don't know how plausible it is. That said a line of Staal-Staal-Kessel would be something that I would love to see.
- Wolfpack5

Kessel will be 34 at the end of the contract not 35-36. He's hasn't been injured and he never really gets hit so he doesn't have many miles on his body. He should be able to be productive till the end of his contract. It's not a bad contract

Kessel will be 34 at the end of the contract not 35-36. He's hasn't been injured and he never really gets hit so he doesn't have many miles on his body. He should be able to be productive till the end of his contract. It's not a bad contract
- HealthyScratch6

He's got plenty of burgers on it though!

Kessel will be 34 at the end of the contract not 35-36. He's hasn't been injured and he never really gets hit so he doesn't have many miles on his body. He should be able to be productive till the end of his contract. It's not a bad contract
- HealthyScratch6

My bad. Without CapGeek it's hard for me to get these exactly right. I didn't say it was a bad a contract, I just don't like the term. And my real money point from the Hurricanes standpoint remains unchanged.

Don't forget to mention now, this is a TOP source. Must take this serious.
- rawwdogg88

No....it's a TOP, top source.

Carolina can't afford to suck for as long as the Leaves. With Kessel, Kadri, a third and losing Semin's salary, I think the Canes come out ahead. Kessel > Semin (1 mill diff in salary), Kadri is a serviceable 3C or maybe maybe 2C at the upper limit. The third is depth in a good draft, almost like a 2nd since the waffles finished so low...

TOP! ---

Just TOP!

Blows the e-system out of the water!

TOP!

Kessel will be 34 at the end of the contract not 35-36. He's hasn't been injured and he never really gets hit so he doesn't have many miles on his body. He should be able to be productive till the end of his contract. It's not a bad contract
- HealthyScratch6

That's ludicrous. You can't build a team around Kessel and his fat contract of 8M. They were stupid to give that money but had no choice because he put up points. The guys a good goal scorer but in my books (and any smart GM's) a player making 7.5 he has to be a franchise player. If he isn't it's a bad deal.

And to the person that says the Canes should jump at the chance of getting Kessel for the 5th pick + Semin... that would be true if he's a 7M cap hit. It'll really make a big difference in a few years.

That's ludicrous. You can't build a team around Kessel and his fat contract of 8M. They were stupid to give that money but had no choice because he put up points. The guys a good goal scorer but in my books (and any smart GM's) a player making 7.5 he has to be a franchise player. If he isn't it's a bad deal.

And to the person that says the Canes should jump at the chance of getting Kessel for the 5th pick + Semin... that would be true if he's a 7M cap hit. It'll really make a big difference in a few years.
- AlfieisKing

Thoughts on Ryan at 7M?

That's ludicrous. You can't build a team around Kessel and his fat contract of 8M. They were stupid to give that money but had no choice because he put up points. The guys a good goal scorer but in my books (and any smart GM's) a player making 7.5 he has to be a franchise player. If he isn't it's a bad deal.

And to the person that says the Canes should jump at the chance of getting Kessel for the 5th pick + Semin... that would be true if he's a 7M cap hit. It'll really make a big difference in a few years.
- AlfieisKing

Are you joking? Kessel is still a massive upgrade on Semin. Semin is just a throw in to make the salary work for Carolina. Kessel for a 5th is a great deal for the Canes.

You're ludicrous .

Thoughts on Ryan at 7M?
- Feeling Glucky?

That's different. Not sure how but I'd bet Sens fans feel that way.

Eklund: Toronto talking to Carolina
- Eklund

Not as crazy as I thought. Semin's contract and personality subtracted and a change in scenery for Kessel. It comes down to Kadri and a third for Carolina's 1st.

Not as crazy as I thought. Semin's contract and personality subtracted and a change in scenery for Kessel. It comes down to Kadri and a third for Carolina's 1st.
- wbon22

Jeez....when you put it that way...it's terrible deal for Toronto .

Kessel for the 5th is fair enough, having to take back Semin? Carolina should be sweetening the deal, not Toronto.

What makes the most sense about the proposed deal is that the Leafs would draft 4 and 5 in the current draft. They would get a great start on the 1st overall pick next year. But, remember, the lottery rules are changed. I believe, the team finishing with the lowest point total can now drop to 4th overalls not future lotteries.

we wouldnt need to retain salary, hence taking back the worst contract in the league.

Seems like a lot for the 5th overall, but two of Strome,Hanifin, and marner would be pretty decent

Not as crazy as I thought. Semin's contract and personality subtracted and a change in scenery for Kessel. It comes down to Kadri and a third for Carolina's 1st.
- wbon22

Kessel = Semin???

yes, that is crazy. both guys had down years, but one more than tripled the others production. Semin has negative value.

That's ludicrous. You can't build a team around Kessel and his fat contract of 8M. They were stupid to give that money but had no choice because he put up points. The guys a good goal scorer but in my books (and any smart GM's) a player making 7.5 he has to be a franchise player. If he isn't it's a bad deal.

And to the person that says the Canes should jump at the chance of getting Kessel for the 5th pick + Semin... that would be true if he's a 7M cap hit. It'll really make a big difference in a few years.
- AlfieisKing

That's silly. The price for
Franchise PLayers" is now set at 10.5 million.

And btw, you have Bobby Ryan making 7 million.

Thoughts on Ryan at 7M?
- Feeling Glucky?

First comparing Eric Staal whose contract expires at age 32/33 vs Kessel whose contract expires at age 35/36 are two entirely different beasts signed during different years with different caps heck even different CBAs. You can compare the stats all you want Staal to this point has outscored in goals and points Kessel since he came into the league. He is also slightly better in the defensive end. Not only that but centermen are normally valued more in this league. Not saying the money amount for Kessel is bad, but the term and more specifically how old he will be at the end of it, scares the crap out of me.

I would be fine if the 5th overall pick became a 2nd/3rd liner. But the guys that should be there have 1st line potential written all over them, which I don't think you can overlook.

As for your offer. Yes Semin's contract is toxic. But in terms of real money, which matters with a team like Carolina, a $21 million commitment spread over 3 years vs a $64 million dollar commitment spread over 8 years is scary. Especially for a team that runs on an internal budget. If we had all the money in the world and that wasn't the case yes, it's a very intriguing offer, but in Raleigh that money is a commitment that could be the difference in our blueline now vs a semi-respectable one in a few years.

One last note. I love the idea of Kessel, but because of the real money and RF commitment to the future I don't know how plausible it is. That said a line of Staal-Staal-Kessel would be something that I would love to see.
- Wolfpack5

Your argument makes very little sense. Kessel is signed through his prime at $8M per year while Semin (well past his prime based on the last 2 years) is signed at $7M. Looking at it as $21M versus $56M ($64M is including last year) is dumb when you are talking about an internal budget when for that you only look at year to year budgets. It is $7M for a 2nd/3rd liner for a $8M elite scorer. Kessel is a huge win.

Also your argument about being happy with a 2nd/3rd liner with the pick is also dumb. Yes I know they have a high probability that he will become a 1st line player but it is still a chance he won't. Kessel is already a 1st liner and will be for a decade. I would gladly dump a toxic contract and get a guaranteed top line player for the 5th pick (IF I WANT TO WIN NOW).

Personally I wouldn't only want the 5th pick for Kessel especially when I'm taking a toxic contract back. I would demand another piece or 2016 1st. Won't happen but that is my starting point.

A hefty price to pay but being able to get Strome and Hanafin or Marner and Strome would be a great step in the rebuild.