No, if you go by the numbers he's having less success in Pittsburgh.

He does however have a team around him that's significantly better, and a coach who has a clue, hence the fact that he's now two wins away from a ring...
- lumlums

The Leafs lost almost every game when Kessel didn't get a point. In Pittsburgh they have Crosby, Malkin, etc so if Kessel doesn't get a point they aren't guaranteed to be (frank)ed. That's a huge difference. Kessel was never the problem. The complete lack of depth was.

kessel's point per game pace was lower this year than it was in any season with toronto
- daeth

I bet his TOI was down too!

I'm guessing he checked out the Penguins board where some people were tryign to stir the pot of trading malkin this offseason while in the midst of a stanley cup run. He's not on the market. it it isn't broke then don't fix it.

The Leafs lost almost every game when Kessel didn't get a point. In Pittsburgh they have Crosby, Malkin, etc so if Kessel doesn't get a point they aren't guaranteed to be (frank)ed. That's a huge difference. Kessel was never the problem. The complete lack of depth was.
- daeth

Most of us knew that Kessel was not a piece you build around, but rather that final piece you add to get over the hump.

Good on him, hope he gets his name on the cup. Hope to face him in the playoffs sometime over the next few years

I bet his TOI was down too!
- .HOHO.

i'm just saying that quality of competition isn't a reason for his good play. he puts up points because he's a star offensive player.

Yeah, it's tough to ice a better forward group than what the penguin's have right now.
- A_Tree

I think their offensive pressure through all 4 lines is helping them immensely. Murray has been quite good but there defense lineup is very mediocre. Having so much offensive firepower seems to be helping the two young D and the weak bottom pairing a ton by taking a lot of pressure off.

Most of us knew that Kessel was not a piece you build around, but rather that final piece you add to get over the hump.

Good on him, hope he gets his name on the cup. Hope to face him in the playoffs sometime over the next few years
- WingmanWillie

Kessel isn't just some complimentary player in Pittsburgh though. He's leading the team in playoff points. He's a core piece. Had Toronto not traded their entire future for him he could've been a guy to build around.

Most of us knew that Kessel was not a piece you build around, but rather that final piece you add to get over the hump.

Good on him, hope he gets his name on the cup. Hope to face him in the playoffs sometime over the next few years
- WingmanWillie

It's exactly the trade that sent Gaborik to LA. They knew what they were getting and what his job was going to be.

Dumba would cost A LOT more than that package you're suggesting.
- As_I_See_It

You may have not read the part where it said dumba and a contract coming back....wild want to free up cap and find scoring...that comes with a price.

The Leafs lost almost every game when Kessel didn't get a point. In Pittsburgh they have Crosby, Malkin, etc so if Kessel doesn't get a point they aren't guaranteed to be (frank)ed. That's a huge difference. Kessel was never the problem. The complete lack of depth was.
- daeth

Seems like most top teams have at a minimum 3 guys that can drive offense. Hawks - Towes, Kane, Panarin (hossa/sharp once upon a time). As it is Kessel is a 2nd/3rd option on a cup team.

I believe Bozak goes to the Rangers or the Flyers - as part of prospect/young player and CAP dump acquisitions.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Why on earth would the Flyers want Bozak?

Kessel isn't just some complimentary player in Pittsburgh though. He's leading the team in playoff points. He's a core piece. Had Toronto not traded their entire future for him he could've been a guy to build around.
- daeth

Because other teams have to contain Sid and Geno.

Don't pretend him being on the 3rd line doesn't have anything to do with it. I don't think it's the whole reason for his success, but it definitely matters.

You just outlined a catch 22. If they don't trade for him, then he's not here to build around either.

The bottom line is Kessel in Toronto was never the right fit for the right time.

Kessel isn't just some complimentary player in Pittsburgh though. He's leading the team in playoff points. He's a core piece. Had Toronto not traded their entire future for him he could've been a guy to build around.
- daeth

Weird eh

Why on earth would anyone want Bozak?
- Atomic Wedgie

fixed

You may have not read the part where it said dumba and a contract coming back....wild want to free up cap and find scoring...that comes with a price.
- Kinggilmour

How does acquiring Bozak help with freeing up cap space and finding scoring?

This may be a rhetorical question...

Happy for Phil, he deserves a cup.

Glad that Toronto has turned the page on that era though.

And because trading away young, skilled players does not work out very often
- WingmanWillie

The trade Nylander to Van was in response to someone who said Nylander plus For the Pegs second pick.

It doesn't have to be Nylander, insert whatever name you want that is equal in talent. I was just saying I would love to obtain Tkatchuk and would be quite willing to give up Nylander to do so.

Because other teams have to contain Sid and Geno.

Don't pretend him being on the 3rd line doesn't have anything to do with it. I don't think it's the whole reason for his success, but it definitely matters.

You just outlined a catch 22. If they don't trade for him, then he's not here to build around either.

The bottom line is Kessel in Toronto was never the right fit for the right time.
- WingmanWillie

You're really not wanting to give him full credit, holy poop lol.

Because other teams have to contain Sid and Geno.

Don't pretend him being on the 3rd line doesn't have anything to do with it. I don't think it's the whole reason for his success, but it definitely matters.

You just outlined a catch 22. If they don't trade for him, then he's not here to build around either.

The bottom line is Kessel in Toronto was never the right fit for the right time.
- WingmanWillie

True.

But not Kessel's fault.

And it was stupid of Leafs Nation to hold it against him.

Sure is great we ran him out of town for a handful of crap and nothing.

The trade Nylander to Van was in response to someone who said Nylander plus For the Pegs second pick.

It doesn't have to be Nylander, insert whatever name you want that is equal in talent. I was just saying I would love to obtain Tkatchuk and would be quite willing to give up Nylander to do so.
- sparky

You're entitled to that opinion.

I don't know that Tkachuk will be better than Nylander, though. Nobody does. I think I'd rather just stick with the piece we have, rather than ADDING a 1st rounder to the trade and hoping the guy we traded for turns out better.

Happy for Phil, he deserves a cup.

Glad that Toronto has turned the page on that era though.
- WingmanWillie

This. Good luck to him. Glad he's gone. Would rather have Matthews to build around

True.

But not Kessel's fault.

And it was stupid of Leafs Nation to hold it against him.

Sure is great we ran him out of town for a handful of crap and nothing.
- Atomic Wedgie

It isn't, you're right.

You're seasoned enough to know that fans don't run anyone anywhere though. That was the team's choice to move on

How does acquiring Bozak help with freeing up cap space and finding scoring?

This may be a rhetorical question...
- Atomic Wedgie

When the wild are sending someone like pomenvile or vanes back; it frees up quite a bit of $$ and Bozak is younger and spas shown he can play as a set up man....when they have parise playing alone.....Bozak may be a very viable solution

You're really not wanting to give him full credit, holy poop lol.
- daeth

I give him full credit for leading the team in playoff points.

If Sid and Geno are not on the team, he probably does still because he'd be their best forward. I'm not disputing that

I'm saying its simple logic that playing against weaker competition because the other team has to shut down 2 studs on the other top lines will amount to an increase in production

True.

But not Kessel's fault.

And it was stupid of Leafs Nation to hold it against him.

Sure is great we ran him out of town for a handful of crap and nothing.
- Atomic Wedgie

Maybe the picks/prospects they got for him will turn into something but the only thing affecting them right now one way or another is the salary retention.

They look like geniuses because they won the lottery (no chance they do that with Kessel on the team) but that was pretty lucky lol.