That's why he's not signed yet...
- burn

But no arbitration filing.. Makes me think they're reasonably close

I agree somewhat but the contract as a whole was a good one for Kessel and positioned him in the driver seat at its conclusion.

It was a 5 year deal at age 20-21. The cap hit is $5,400,000 for the next two years. He was paid $6m last year. At the end of 13-14 he is a UFA. He was given a NTC in his final year. That was a good deal. The kind of deal you give a star.
- bloatedmosquito

He's paid like a star, yes, like the star of our team, but to me a superstar is a player who'd be a star on any team. I don't see Kessel that way and reserve that for players like Crosby, Malkin, Stamkos, Ovy, etc.

Hahah my thoughts exactly, he has good character on the ice and off the ice. Don't really understand why anyone would think otherwise. I would rather him be our captain than Phaneuf
- maverickJ

Captain material!

I'm personally talking about the 7mill + guys when I'm talking upper echelon.. Kessel has to prove himself more in the next couple years before I say he's deserving of that kind of dough
- Dozzer

I would say 7mil is what he will get.

No big deal. Just a bit of arrogance. Stories, interactions, BS like that. Good hockey player though.
- bloatedmosquito

Oh cool, I didn't know you knew him personally!

Say Hi from me next time you see him!

Fixed that for you.

- gravyface

Thanks for mopping up for me!!

Kessel makes what? 5.4mill per? That's a good price for a top line sniper IMO.. He's not a seven or eight million dollar player tho

And Nash only displaces another winger and we're still left needing a centre to play with him.. It would be a sideways move at best.. IMO
- Dozzer

Fair enough. See earlier post about my thoughts on his contract.

Well its a little too early to go crazy about Lupul. If he keeps it up then yes, I would prefer him as captain but this isn't worth discussing. The Phaneuf captain situation comes up a lot, he is clearly going to remain the Leafs captain for a solid amount of years. I don't have a problem with him being our captain right now.
- dionschenn

Just because something is most likely to stay the same doesn't mean you should just accept it I don't think he should have been named captain in the first place but I don't think we have a choice now.

Phaneuf + for Weber

Just more damaged goods, repackaged by Burke and given to us. What's he going to do for this team again?
- Leafland

Nobody knows the answer to that.. Everything is assumption when it comes to JVR.. So I'm staying neutral til I see how he plays with the leafs crest on his chest

Thanks for mopping up for me!!
- burn

So is that autographed team jersey thing a go? or should I ask someone else?

But no arbitration filing.. Makes me think they're reasonably close
- Dozzer

sure, then why the worry?

As Burn said a guy named Gardiner stole his minutes. Also that was Wilson's decision, not Burke's, to sit Franson.

Where Burke does like to have 7 D, I agree with your assessment that a guy like Lashoff as your 7th is a better idea.
- Boosinicka

I just look at our top 6 wingers (first three lines) right now: Kessel,Lupul,JVR,Kulemin,Frattin,Mac. Burke isn't even done acquiring people. It's also possible guys like Connoly or Lombardi are in the lineup as wingers. Does Kadri stand a chance in hell at making the team? Which of those top wingers are going to sit if he destroys in training camp? As I said, depth is nice. But I honestly think this is getting stupid.

This is why I have an issue with the depth Burke has built. I agree with competition but Franson sitting was a disgrace last year. What's going to happen this year if Holzer is great in training camp and Franson plays fine? Somebody is going to be sitting for no reason. It's just dumb and makes good players sit. A guy like Matt Lashoff as your 7th dman, that is fine for depth. But Franson as your 7th dman, thats just stupid.
- dionschenn

Franson will play for Gabby

Riiiight, JVR the "gritty tough guy"? Spot on!
- gravyface

Dead on except for that, but it is still a negative for JvR so..

Oh cool, I didn't know you knew him personally!

Say Hi from me next time you see him!
- Cfser

Captain material!
- kneughter

In all fairness, this could easily be any young, single multi-millionaire hockey player in the league and I'm sure there's a bunch of these floating around. Richards and Carter just happened to get caught, that's all.

Lupul is one of the only Leafs with good personality/character. This poster has immediately lost all credibility.
- dionschenn

Wow. I guess no personal opinions allowed. Fascist.

Captain material!
- kneughter

Lol okay troll. If anything that makes him more of captain material

So is that autographed team jersey thing a go? or should I ask someone else?
- kneughter

Are you going to send me said jersey to get signed??? Those things are costly??

- burn

Thanks

In all fairness, this could easily be any young, single multi-millionaire hockey player in the league and I'm sure there's a bunch of these floating around. Richards and Carter just happened to get caught, that's all.
- gravyface

Lupul is a real solid hockey player (aside from his ongoing injury battles) and seems like a real sweet dude... but in no way... would I want him being a captain of any team!

Wow. I guess no personal opinions allowed. Fascist.
- bloatedmosquito

If my personal opinion was that the Columbus Blue Jackets would win the cup next year, would I not lose credibility to you?

I would say 7mil is what he will get.
- Boosinicka

In fairness he's still getting better.. Would like to see a little more 'never give up' in his game personally.

He's a sniper (with underrated passing in fairness).. And to pay 7mill for a sniper he better be potting 40 per.

He's getting to the age where he is going to define himself.. Will he be another 30goal sniper or will he step up to the next level? Could go either way I think

Are you going to send me said jersey to get signed??? Those things are costly??
- burn

Of course... I'll send it Overnight delivery... is it easier to just send it to Brian Burkes house and have you pick it up there?

Lupul is a real solid hockey player (aside from his ongoing injury battles) and seems like a real sweet dude... but in no way... would I want him being a captain of any team!
- kneughter

He's grown up, live in the now.