Michael Stuart: Would Acquiring Ryan Kesler Make Sense for the Tampa Bay Lightning?

yes, as good as the young guns were for you guys, its a good way to plan for a regression of one of Johnson, Palat, Thompson...all could hit career highs once again building on this season, but 1 or more could take a step back.

Avs are in the same boat when it comes to Landy, MacKinnon, ROR, and Duchene. Young but foolish to think all 4 will hit career high totals again next season.

But depends on the price tag, you do have the other ranger picks to use. Malone could be shopped as well

What do you think TB would offer up for a package of Kesler and Edler?

What do you think TB would offer up for a package of Kesler and Edler?
- 2Over1Under

Not sure Edler is the right fit on defense.

yes, as good as the young guns were for you guys, its a good way to plan for a regression of one of Johnson, Palat, Thompson...all could hit career highs once again building on this season, but 1 or more could take a step back.

Avs are in the same boat when it comes to Landy, MacKinnon, ROR, and Duchene. Young but foolish to think all 4 will hit career high totals again next season.
- DDM-Coga

Good post.

yes, as good as the young guns were for you guys, its a good way to plan for a regression of one of Johnson, Palat, Thompson...all could hit career highs once again building on this season, but 1 or more could take a step back.

Avs are in the same boat when it comes to Landy, MacKinnon, ROR, and Duchene. Young but foolish to think all 4 will hit career high totals again next season.
- DDM-Coga

Agreed.

yes, as good as the young guns were for you guys, its a good way to plan for a regression of one of Johnson, Palat, Thompson...all could hit career highs once again building on this season, but 1 or more could take a step back.

Avs are in the same boat when it comes to Landy, MacKinnon, ROR, and Duchene. Young but foolish to think all 4 will hit career high totals again next season.

But depends on the price tag, you do have the other ranger picks to use. Malone could be shopped as well
- DDM-Coga

Well said. TB would be really scary if they could somehow land both Kesler and Hamhuis IMO. Price would be sky high if you want both and obviously you'd need salary going back the other way.

Yet Another great blog Michael,,,,,, what chances do you give lindback being back next year? Bugsy has to be bought out right?

Well said. TB would be really scary if they could somehow land both Kesler and Hamhuis IMO. Price would be sky high if you want both and obviously you'd need salary going back the other way.
- Nucker101

Malone, Rangers 1st, 2nd, prospects like Namestnikov and Connolly for example. I think they have all the right pieces to make a large deal like that and not have their team hurt now and in the long run.

Yet Another great blog Michael,,,,,, what chances do you give lindback being back next year? Bugsy has to be bought out right?
- tampabaydoompatrol

Many thanks!

And, yeah, I'd have to imagine that he'll be gone.

Well said. TB would be really scary if they could somehow land both Kesler and Hamhuis IMO. Price would be sky high if you want both and obviously you'd need salary going back the other way.
- Nucker101

If Benning was in a retool mood it could get done. I think TB have the assets to make the deal, but undoubtedly they'd be sacrificing some of tomorrow for a better today.

If Benning was in a retool mood it could get done. I think TB have the assets to make the deal, but undoubtedly they'd be sacrificing some of tomorrow for a better today.
- AlexF

I still think an Anaheim deal makes more sense for the Canucks. Get that 10th pick ++ out of there and start the retool off right.

I still think an Anaheim deal makes more sense for the Canucks. Get that 10th pick ++ out of there and start the retool off right.
- Michael_Stuart

To be honest I'd really prefer to hear what else is out there. You never want to beef up your conference rivals with a former Selke winner for future non-elite parts and #10 pick in a weak draft.

yes, as good as the young guns were for you guys, its a good way to plan for a regression of one of Johnson, Palat, Thompson...all could hit career highs once again building on this season, but 1 or more could take a step back.

Avs are in the same boat when it comes to Landy, MacKinnon, ROR, and Duchene. Young but foolish to think all 4 will hit career high totals again next season.

But depends on the price tag, you do have the other ranger picks to use. Malone could be shopped as well
- DDM-Coga

I like this thinking. I've always wanted us to be really deep at centre and adding Kesler would do that for us.

The price scares me though. And as much as I would love to have Stamkos-Filppula-Kesler down the middle, if we're going to overpay for someone I'd rather it be for a defensemen.

I like this thinking. I've always wanted us to be really deep at centre and adding Kesler would do that for us.

The price scares me though. And as much as I would love to have Stamkos-Filppula-Kesler down the middle, if we're going to overpay for someone I'd rather it be for a defensemen.
- Icegirl94

Wouldnt you rather have Stamkos/Kesler/Johnson or Thompson as your down the middle to start the season? I think if you go after Kesler, you can move Fippula who has great value to try and obtain a Dman. IF the Kesler trade is conditional of him resigning an extention. I would take him over Fip

Wouldnt you rather have Stamkos/Kesler/Johnson or Thompson as your down the middle to start the season? I think if you go after Kesler, you can move Fippula who has great value to try and obtain a Dman. IF the Kesler trade is conditional of him resigning an extention. I would take him over Fip
- DDM-Coga

As Michael noted, Kesler should really be used on the wing, unless he was playmaking wingers. He can't distribute for sh!t.

Wouldnt you rather have Stamkos/Kesler as your down the middle to start the season? I think if you go after Kesler, you can move Fippula who has great value to try and obtain a Dman. IF the Kesler trade is conditional of him resigning an extention. I would take him over Fip
- DDM-Coga

I'm not entirely sure

Considering what we would have to give up to get him even with him re-signing does he really give us that much more than Filppula? The Kesler addition to me only makes sense if he's being added to play on a team that also has Filppula not in place of him. The difference to me isn't great enough to warrant paying the price tag the Canucks have on him.

Kesler really hasn't been the same guy since that 40 goal season he had

2011-12 Vancouver Canucks NHL 77 22 27 49 56 11 5 0 3 3 6
2012-13 Vancouver Canucks NHL 17 4 9 13 12 -5 4 2 0 2 0
2013-14 Vancouver Canucks NHL 77 25 18 43 81

Wouldnt you rather have Stamkos/Kesler/Johnson or Thompson as your down the middle to start the season? I think if you go after Kesler, you can move Fippula who has great value to try and obtain a Dman. IF the Kesler trade is conditional of him resigning an extention. I would take him over Fip
- DDM-Coga

I think a kesler trade means Callahan is gone and one of Filpulla/kesler/johnson becomes a top sixwinger to replace him. Then you have good top six depth and the ability to still be three deep up the middle if someone goes down with injury.

Assuming we don't resign Callahan to a reasonable deal, which given his terms on leaving New York i don't believe we will, i think Kesler would be a perfect fit for next years bolts squad.

Connolly has outplayed his fellow prospects in training camps and in the AHL but he's still unproven in the AHL. With the legitimate graduation of Palat, Johnson and Kucherov + Namestnikov and Drouin being next years probable call ups from Syracuse i see BC as expendable. Being that he's a former No. 6 overall pick and the success of El Nino in Minnesota i think he can be a part of a 2 prospect 1 pick deal for Kesler. Perhaps him and Marchessault with a 2nd round pick.

Or we can worry about our defense and trade some of our offensive talent for say, Keith Yandle or offer sheet Nashville's Ryan Ellis.

Another huge strength of ours is goaltending, who's to say for the right defensive player we couldn't just trade a pick and a prospect goaltender? This isn't the strongest of drafts nor is it the strongest of free agent classes so i think draft day will be a day of desperation for a lot of teams to improve on the fly. We could pull off a steal with the right team. Be it Kesler or whomever i just have faith that Yzerman will patch up the D for next season and we will tear up the Eastern Conference, especially those god damn Habs

Wouldnt you rather have Stamkos/Kesler/Johnson or Thompson as your down the middle to start the season? I think if you go after Kesler, you can move Fippula who has great value to try and obtain a Dman. IF the Kesler trade is conditional of him resigning an extention. I would take him over Fip
- DDM-Coga

After what filpulla has shown this year I never want to give him up . I like our team now . I love it . I feel if we move any importance of our future it'll be for that top 4 dman . Sure kesler is intruiging , and he would be on the wing id assume , but it's more a want than a need for me . Defense man all the way here, we have palat and drouin and Johnson and kucherov who can all be great top 6ers. Getting that solid defenseman would set our team up for a very long time . Our skill up front is undeniable , if we get that next top defenseman back there with the Emersion of victor Hedman we will be set

As Michael noted, Kesler should really be used on the wing, unless he was playmaking wingers. He can't distribute for sh!t.
- AlexF

Connolly and Drouin in the system ready to make the jump, now that could be a fun line to watch with Kesler in the middle. But anyone Centering them could be fun to watch

I'm not entirely sure

Considering what we would have to give up to get him even with him re-signing does he really give us that much more than Filppula? The Kesler addition to me only makes sense if he's being added to play on a team that also has Filppula not in place of him. The difference to me isn't great enough to warrant paying the price tag the Canucks have on him.

Kesler really hasn't been the same guy since that 40 goal season he had

2011-12 Vancouver Canucks NHL 77 22 27 49 56 11 5 0 3 3 6
2012-13 Vancouver Canucks NHL 17 4 9 13 12 -5 4 2 0 2 0
2013-14 Vancouver Canucks NHL 77 25 18 43 81
- Icegirl94

Fair point. I just always take a lot of value in players who are signed long term wtih a great cap hit. If a team is traded from a position of strength with their D and are lookign for a 2nd line C....a guy like Fip who is signed to a good contract and long term is really valuable isntead of over paying for one during UFA.

But it would be a dink move to sign Fip, just to trade and replace him for Kesler. too many trades when you might be going lateral in one way just to try and upgrade your D in another way.

Well said. TB would be really scary if they could somehow land both Kesler and Hamhuis IMO. Price would be sky high if you want both and obviously you'd need salary going back the other way.
- Nucker101

Is van shopping hamhuis?

Makes no since even if we don't resign Callahan we have no need for kesler! We need a top 4 defenseman! Two of them really!

Michael Stuart: Would Acquiring Ryan Kesler Make Sense for the Tampa Bay Lightning?
- Michael_Stuart

To Tampa Bay:

Ryan Kesler
Janik Hansen
Canucks 3rd round pick

To Vancouver:
Steven Stamkos