I think signing Semin is a risk....Not that he's not a good player,it's just that his head isn't always in the game!! If there is a team that might be able to change that,it would probably be the Red Wings!!

This couldn't be more wrong....but man it makes me so very happy...

Phaneuf out of Toronto would be the best thing to happen to this franchise in a looooong time!
- giroux02

since reichel and hoglund eh....lol

Although I agree with you that Hamilton is going to be a great player, I don't think it can be said that one is going to be better than the other. Also Seguin was on the line with Bergeron and Marchand last year, which I would argue is our top line (we never really had a first line last year according to the team)
- celata29

This is all very true, as is the arguments go among prospects, and the years of the "Kessel" trade which isn't even close to the worst trades of all time.

I think they just stuck their line in the 3rd slot usually on read outs. But, IMO anyway, yeah you guys rock 3x 2nd lines.

I think signing Semin is a risk....Not that he's not a good player,it's just that his head isn't always in the game!! If there is a team that might be able to change that,it would probably be the Red Wings!!
- dcabello

I think any team would sign him for a year. If you can get him for a year you could expect high production to prove his worth for a big $ money contract and you could catch lightning in a bottle. If you're a good team, he could be that push over the top you need. Short term also mitigates the risk.

as does 28 other teams, 29 if you include the ducks who wont be trading him.....lol
- MindFr3eak

For a Getzlaf autographed puck....done deal!
- ikeane

prob get fleeced less on this deal than most in leafs history......lol

Eh Hamilton has Pronger potential. Check out his stats compared to Prongers if you want, it's pretty similar. Both Max Kaminsky winners. Both ppg+ seasons, Both ppg+ playoffs in the OHL. Saying Seguin is a #1 center while being a 3rd line winger for his career so far is just as much of a stretch if not more so than saying what Hamilton will or will not be a franchise defensemen.
- Boosinicka

Pronger was in the NHL at 18 playing top line minutes with Hartford, not back in junior. As for Seguin, 29 goals and 67 points while only getting 16 minutes of ice time.....you're right, he's not a first liner based on his ATOI, but find me another 3rd liner with that production. The guy lead his team in points for (frank) sakes.

Honestly, I don't know, just remember the rumblings.
- celata29

It was Ryan Ellis

This is all very true, as is the arguments go among prospects, and the years of the "Kessel" trade which isn't even close to the worst trades of all time.

I think they just stuck their line in the 3rd slot usually on read outs. But, IMO anyway, yeah you guys rock 3x 2nd lines.
- Boosinicka

Really? You think (when we're healthy) that

Horton-Krejci-Lucic
Marchand-Bergeron-Seguin

are #2 lines on most teams? I'm going to have to disagree with you there. IMO

Pronger was in the NHL at 18 playing top line minutes with Hartford, not back in junior. As for Seguin, 29 goals and 67 points while only getting 16 minutes of ice time.....you're right, he's not a first liner based on his ATOI, but find me another 3rd liner with that production. The guy lead his team in points for (frank) sakes.
- mykokes

Hamilton is still 19...just turned 19...and he'll be playing next year. The league is a lot different when comparing young players trying to come into the league now rather than say 20 some odd years ago...i think it's a lot tougher to make the jump.

It was Ryan Ellis
- Boosinicka

Ehhhh I would

Pronger was in the NHL at 18 playing top line minutes with Hartford, not back in junior. As for Seguin, 29 goals and 67 points while only getting 16 minutes of ice time.....you're right, he's not a first liner based on his ATOI, but find me another 3rd liner with that production. The guy lead his team in points for (frank) sakes.
- mykokes

Pronger has two OHL seasons.... ?

Anyway, I'm passing out, this talk of how awesome the prospects we gave away for Kessel is and will always be enthralling...

Pronger has two OHL seasons.... ?

Anyway, I'm passing out, this talk of how awesome the prospects we gave away for Kessel is and will always be enthralling...
- Boosinicka

Lol sorry...at least I wasn't being a jerk about it

Edit:unlike many Bruins fans.

Hamilton is still 19...just turned 19...and he'll be playing next year. The league is a lot different when comparing young players trying to come into the league now rather than say 20 some odd years ago...i think it's a lot tougher to make the jump.
- celata29

yet doughty, bogo, fowler, larsson, hedman all did it. hmmmmmm

Yeah... They want a second line center on a trade for Ryan.... but they are going to trade away there 1st line center Getzlaf..

Everyone wants something... not just the leafs

yet doughty, bogo, fowler, larsson, hedman all did it. hmmmmmm
- mykokes

But in a lot of those instances the team needed them to make that jump the next year. Hamilton didn't have to...so the team didn't. Doesn't mean he couldn't have you know?

Pronger has two OHL seasons.... ?

Anyway, I'm passing out, this talk of how awesome the prospects we gave away for Kessel is and will always be enthralling...
- Boosinicka

Pronger started his first OHL season at 16 (late birthday). He was drafted after his second OHL season and was in the NHL following his draft, whereas Hamilton was returned to junior after his draft. And again, I'm not taking away from what Hamilton is, I just disagree with people who say he was the best piece in the deal that we gave up. ie. the best piece is Seguin.

Really? You think (when we're healthy) that

Horton-Krejci-Lucic
Marchand-Bergeron-Seguin

are #2 lines on most teams? I'm going to have to disagree with you there. IMO
- celata29

Eh, I wouldn't be butt hurt by that, but a 1st line of say, the RPG line, or Thorton's line in SJ, Malkin-Neal, Stamkos-St.Louis, etc. There seems to be a definitive player or two on a "1st line". Not saying they're only good enough to be 2nd liners, but I don't really consider them a "force" 1st liners. Like it's a lot of realllly good players who all compliment each other, but no one is truly great. Seguin might be, but he's a prospect. Does that make sense? I dunno, I'm tired.

Pronger started his first OHL season at 16 (late birthday). He was drafted after his second OHL season and was in the NHL following his draft, whereas Hamilton was returned to junior after his draft. And again, I'm not taking away from what Hamilton is, I just disagree with people who say he was the best piece in the deal that we gave up. ie. the best piece is Seguin.
- mykokes

I'm not saying he is the best piece, I just think it's closer than many people make it to be

Eh, I wouldn't be butt hurt by that, but a 1st line of say, the RPG line, or Thorton's line in SJ, Malkin-Neal, Stamkos-St.Louis, etc. There seems to be a definitive player or two on a "1st line". Not saying they're only good enough to be 2nd liners, but I don't really consider them a "force" 1st liners. Like it's a lot of realllly good players who all compliment each other, but no one is truly great. Seguin might be, but he's a prospect. Does that make sense? I dunno, I'm tired.
- Boosinicka

Yeah I can see you're argument. I could definitely see the Bergy line becoming a force though. At least i hope

Everyone wants something... not just the leafs
- saskoil21

mmmmm.... dinner for one

Let me direct you to this link....http://capgeek.com/charts.php?Team=6


This might make more sense then you think due to the fact the ducks might not believe they can resign Getzlaf at the end of the season...

Comparing Seguin and Kessel is like comparing Sundin and Mogilny. Any situation, I'll always pick the centre.....Now if Kessel would man up and accept a move to centre in between JVR and Lupul (since he spends most of his time in the offensive zone and neutral zone playing like a centre), things would be rosey. But he's too much of a wussy to follow the Pat lafontaine example.
- mykokes

I think the answer to why kessel shouldn't be a center is in your post somewhere

But in a lot of those instances the team needed them to make that jump the next year. Hamilton didn't have to...so the team didn't. Doesn't mean he couldn't have you know?
- celata29

You're right on many teams he likely would've made it. Again, you're misreading what I'm saying, I've already said I think Hamilton can develop into a top 2 d-man, as in top pairing. I just don't think he's a franchise d-man. Could he prove me wrong? Sure. But don't be like Leaf fans, don't put unrealistic expectations on a guy. It's realistic to expect him to make Boston this year, it's also realistic that it will take a few years before he's on the top pairing.