You know, I've lectured a lot of people about giving too much credit to baseless rumors. The mechanics of the rumor usually speak volumes of the validity. Someone in the media says "a person close to so and so heard"... we are getting 2nd, 3rd or even 4rth hand info and it's a single report that snowballs into something big... but it's still a single rumor.

This Kesler story it was anything but a baseless rumor... A reputably reporter with his own ears hears Kesler say something that later turns out to be confirmed. First hand. Accurate. The only other thing Belcher can call it is fabricated. But he calls this reporter reputable...

I don't even know how this is being called a rumor by belcher. Kesler was the only one caught in a lie in this. He first denied he wanted out. Then he admitted he requested a trade at the end of the previous season and waited an entire season for the trade. The reporter was accurate. Kesler was not. I believe the reporters own version obviously.

Then you haven't made your point well enough. I'm not doubting that news of a player requesting a trade would cause issues in the locker room. But I would argue that everything stems from Gillis/Torts. The locker room issues would directly be caused by them, as the players first tried to quietly be traded and Gillis pulled a GMMG move(being greedy), and they never got traded. Then the stuff Torts pulled on a regular basis pushed them to want off, when doing it quietly doesn't work, publicly is the only way to do it. Lou and Kes had NTC's(GMMG handed them out like candy) and gave their lists. Rumours of Lou denying a trade to Toronto are known(likely true), but they both gave a list and GMMG should have worked them properly, before anything went public.
- Retinalz

I can agree with how it started because of Gillis, Torts and dont leave out AV either because thats where the discontent with Luongo started... but I wont agree that these people pushed Lu and Kes to use their team mates and fans as leverage. Same way I feel about pressing for people to drop the NTC's they agreed on... you can ask... no harm there... push... no.

You know, I've lectured a lot of people about giving too much credit to baseless rumors. The mechanics of the rumor usually speak volumes of the validity. Someone in the media says "a person close to so and so heard"... we are getting 2nd, 3rd or even 4rth hand info and it's a single report that snowballs into something big... but it's still a single rumor.

This Kesler story it was anything but a baseless rumor... A reputably reporter with his own ears hears Kesler say something that later turns out to be confirmed. First hand. Accurate.

I don't even know how this is being called a rumor by belcher. Kesler was the only one caught in a lie in this. He first denied he wanted out. Then he admitted he requested a trade at the end of the previous season and waited an entire season for the trade. The reporter was accurate. Kesler was not. I believe the reporters own version obviously.
- boonerbuck

So do I and clearly I have stated that.

I'm not denying he asked out, what I am saying is that it is petty and ridiculous to suggest that he purposely was disrupting the room.

I'm not denying the original report or that he did in fact ask for a trade and also denied asking for a trade...... stay on topic.

I very much believed the rumour as it made sense and came from a pretty reputable source but I also didn't add any other elements to it like you decided to.

So please explain to us how Luongo wasnt disrupting the room when he went public... and not just public but totally emotional about not being traded... the soap opera was pretty epic and long lived... and deliberate... but please....

- boonerbuck

When did he go public again?

Here is AV apparently letting the cat out of the bag.

http://www.vancouversun.c...neault/6674385/story.html

Speaking over the telephone to a Montreal-based TVA Sports show called Le Match, Vigneault was asked if he agreed that Luongo needed a fresh start. (Vigneault was on the show Wednesday night to discuss his contract extension.)

“First of all, that is what he wants right now,” Vigneault said in the translated quote. “What we need to do is what's best for our organization and our team. We have to look at what's best for our organization and Roberto.”

“Yeah, of course, if they ask me to,” Luongo said. “I don't want to be one of those guys who is going to stand in the way of anything. I always want to put the team ahead of me. I don't want to be one of those selfish guys.

“Obviously they have a guy here who is going to be a superstar in this league for the next 10, 12, 15 years so I'm okay with it. It is a business and that's the way it goes. I've loved being here the last six years. If I'm here in the future, then great. If I'm not, that's good also.”

Huge difference for sure, regardless of the adversity they faced they still showed up and no one wanted to leave (though I wonder how much that has to do with the difference of media attention in SJ vs VAN).
I also think the attitude of those guys doesn't allow for that "country club" atmosphere to grow. Some here hate guys on that team for being a-holes, but they are competitive and are probably a-holes in a good way to their teammates to prevent complacency. As much as I love the Sedins, I cant see them calling out someone with half the impact it might have if someone like Thornton did it, hell even Marleau too
- WhiteLie

Serious...bad ass Daniel called out JV for floating through a game and everyone in media and HB were aghast that Daniel called out someone, how dare he, JV has feelings and calling him out in public is not kosher...but hey it's commendable when big jumbo Joe does it....and let's not counter with "yeah but Daniel did it in public, and saintly Joe would never ever do something like that

When did he go public again?

Here is AV apparently letting the cat out of the bag.

http://www.vancouversun.c...neault/6674385/story.html
- belcherbd

It was already leaked all over the media with Gillis dodging it. They even mention Stevie Y 4 or 5 days earlier denying he had any interest in Lu in your link. I guess I'd be more accurate in saying how Lu aired out the dirty laundry publicly. When he didnt get his trade, he really stepped up the public crying.... dragging his team mates through it with him. Same thing... leverage. Keep the public out of it... instead he played to the media. Still my point is the same... how he dealt with the media was deliberate.

This soap opera is nauseating....

Can a Leaf diehard join in n retell us the '67 cup run pls

This soap opera is nauseating....
- Nighthawk

Maybe you should post some line up combinations. Make sure there are players we cant reach in the draft with 3 or 4 UFA's that will never come here on them...


Scooby will love another one of those...

Maybe you should post some line up combinations. Make sure there are players we cant reach in the draft with 3 or 4 UFA's that will never come here on them...


Scooby will love another one of those...
- boonerbuck

Nah rather read wall of text reruns of the old days.

Serious...bad ass Daniel called out JV for floating through a game and everyone in media and HB were aghast that Daniel called out someone, how dare he, JV has feelings and calling him out in public is not kosher...but hey it's commendable when big jumbo Joe does it....and let's not counter with "yeah but Daniel did it in public, and saintly Joe would never ever do something like that
- Makita

I apologize in advance for the poor example however; Messier did that and was called a great leader

Wait? Kesler later confirms he asked out a year earlier after a few months earlier denying he wanted out at the Olympics. I see no reason not to believe that original report now. If you want to fire up the time machine so we don't have that knowledge,,, then I would treat it as a baseless rumor like you are trying to do. Doesnt seem like a strong place for you to argue from now though.


For myself, it looks pretty clear that he lit a fire under his trade request by way of a media leak. It's nothing new.

If Kesler deliberately get his trade request out to the media like Luongo did,,,, you are deliberately causing all the negativity it comes with. That is the leverage... "put this fire out by moving me". I'm surprised it has to be spelled out for you.
- boonerbuck

Some just don't get it and I'm not sure why.

Kesler prances around the Olympic village with Kane and a few others crying about Van and the players there and of course it's going to get out sooner or later. Not just from credible reporters was this applied to the media as well. Came from multiple sources.

Shortly after Kane lobbies to CHI MNGT that they need Kesler for their playoff run and they need to make a trade for him. Again confirmed by multiple credible sources at the time.

Kesler then denies (in front of his teammates IN THE DRESSING ROOM multiple times) that he has denied any and all trade requests (which is the standard answer but by this time the teammates have already been appraised of what is happening).

Kesler then decides to take it a step further (in the room) in front of multiple reporters…'I guess Lou was right…I'm staying right here'…wow..what do people think that does to the chemistry in the room environment. And that's just scratching the surface around Kesler's antics regarding his trade request. Is there any point in discussing how Kesler's agent constantly harassed MNGT and manipulated the situation as well?

Don't even want to get started on Lou.

Bottom line for me is that players and agents and the like talk ALL THE TIME around the league in and out of games. Some of them are buddies…some aren't. The point is stuff gets around. And the Kesler stuff had mountains o credibility. Certain things happen outside of the room yes that can be misconstrued, but having said that once the players get it in their head that their fellow teammates are manipulating situations to satisfy their own agendas well…there you have it. Not hard to figure.

Serious...bad ass Daniel called out JV for floating through a game and everyone in media and HB were aghast that Daniel called out someone, how dare he, JV has feelings and calling him out in public is not kosher...but hey it's commendable when big jumbo Joe does it....and let's not counter with "yeah but Daniel did it in public, and saintly Joe would never ever do something like that
- Makita

lol..yeah it only took him 15 seasons….

Wonder what Leafland has to say about Kessel now

If Murray wore a bigger baggy he stops Johnson.

Maybe you should post some line up combinations. Make sure there are players we cant reach in the draft with 3 or 4 UFA's that will never come here on them...


Scooby will love another one of those...
- boonerbuck

Dank Hank Lucic
Laine Stamkos Sutter
Hansen Horvat Virtanen
Dorsett Granlund Rodin

Hamhuis Edler
Tanev Yandle
Sibsa Tryamkin

Maybe you should post some line up combinations. Make sure there are players we cant reach in the draft with 3 or 4 UFA's that will never come here on them...


Scooby will love another one of those...
- boonerbuck

Ouch

Nobody appreciates a good line up roster like Scooby

Dank Hank Lucic
Laine Stamkos Sutter
Hansen Horvat Virtanen
Dorsett Granlund Rodin

Hamhuis Edler
Tanev Yandle
Sibsa Tryamkin
- storm88

Totally ridiculous, they would never break up edler/Tanev

Dank Hank Lucic
Laine Stamkos Sutter
Hansen Horvat Virtanen
Dorsett Granlund Rodin

Hamhuis Edler
Tanev Yandle
Sibsa Tryamkin
- storm88

I like the 3rd line.

Wonder what Leafland has to say about Kessel now
- Nighthawk

I'm sure Kessel ain't even on their radar. Too busy circle jerking over that 1st pick.

Dank Hank Lucic
Laine Stamkos Sutter
Hansen Horvat Virtanen
Dorsett Granlund Rodin

Hamhuis Edler
Tanev Yandle
Sibsa Tryamkin
- storm88

Dank Hank Lucic
Laine Stamkos Sutter
Hansen Horvat Virtanen
Dorsett Granlund Rodin

Hamhuis Edler
Tanev Yandle
Sibsa Tryamkin
- storm88

So apparently the NHL Salary Cap wont exist next season.

Dank Hank Lucic
Laine Stamkos Sutter
Hansen Horvat Virtanen
Dorsett Granlund Rodin

Hamhuis Edler
Tanev Yandle
Sibsa Tryamkin
- storm88

Let me guess... Sven and our 5th was traded for the 1st or 2nd overall to get Laine...

So apparently the NHL Salary Cap wont exist next season.
- classic321

Be realistic... Lucic will take a 5.5 mil per hometown discount... Hamhuis will take a 3 mil discount.

So apparently the NHL Salary Cap wont exist next season.
- classic321

Come on, everyone will sign a discount just to play with Dank and Hank.