If its trading to a team like the Pens, it would have to be 2 first and a prospect... and I am not sure I would do it for 2 picks in the 20-30 range, which they will be. Those are low odds at an impact player
- senstroll

I would not do that, especially to a division rival, we would get killed 10-0 if we faced the pens

he was replying to my comment, saying that they'd want a top 5. i think any team would trade a 1st rounder if it was in the teens or higher, but a team who's likely to finish with a top 5 pick probably needs teh pick more than they need kessel.

kessel is the perfect addition to a team who's looking to make a run right now. i think it's already been shown that he isn't the ideal player for a rebuilding team to build around.
- sensarmy_11

id definitely hope it wouldnt be in the top 10, but theyd be more than welcome to the pens first for him. dude would be a stud with crosby, and not have to worry about being the main guy

can see reasons why you would want to keep him, but then again i can understand wanting to just cut bait, and get as much as you can for him. would love to move a package involving a d prospect and a first for him from the pens
- stayinthefnnet

Problem is we need more forward prospects than D. We have Finn, Percy, Reilly, and Gardiner with the big club. But forwards-wise we are lacking. And the Pens 1st rounder is going to be a 25-30 pick most likely. That makes sense for the pens, but not the Leafs. But Kessel with SID would be DEADLY.

Why wouldn't a gm trade a 1st round pick for Kessel? Wow pure leafs hate. Ok then genuis tell me what a consistent scorer like Kessel who gets better every year, who is just entering his prime, who finished top 6 in LEAGUE scoring, worth?
- Allstarzz

I love it when people spell "genius" wrong. Makes my point easier to make.

No, I said a GM with a top 5 pick wouldn't trade for Phil Kessel.

I'm a Leafs fan so it isn't pure hate, just pure fact.

If its trading to a team like the Pens, it would have to be 2 first and a prospect... and I am not sure I would do it for 2 picks in the 20-30 range, which they will be. Those are low odds at an impact player
- senstroll

yeah i would hope thats where those picks would be, so i can see why you would rather hold out for a higher one. i am typically wary of moving more than one first in a given trade unless you are acquiring a total stud. those types of moves, even with the lower picks, can set your farm system back immensely.

he was replying to my comment, saying that they'd want a top 5. i think any team would trade a 1st rounder if it was in the teens or higher, but a team who's likely to finish with a top 5 pick probably needs teh pick more than they need kessel.

kessel is the perfect addition to a team who's looking to make a run right now. i think it's already been shown that he isn't the ideal player for a rebuilding team to build around.
- sensarmy_11

You're making too much sense for this "genuis".

Agreed with what you said. But the problem is do you think the Leafs could get a top 5 pick for him? IMO he is worth that. But I doubt other teams would give that up.
- Allstarzz

the team that Toronto would be dealing him to would be a contending team....So no you will not be getting a top 5 pick.

id definitely hope it wouldnt be in the top 10, but theyd be more than welcome to the pens first for him. dude would be a stud with crosby, and not have to worry about being the main guy
- stayinthefnnet

really?...and then can you at least buy us ice cream after that raping

I love it when people spell "genius" wrong. Makes my point easier to make.

No, I said a GM with a top 5 pick wouldn't trade for Phil Kessel.

I'm a Leafs fan so it isn't pure hate, just pure fact.
- Domidives

Ok because I thought you said a gm wouldn't trade a 1st at all for Phil. My mistake.

I love it when people spell "genius" wrong. Makes my point easier to make.

No, I said a GM with a top 5 pick wouldn't trade for Phil Kessel.

I'm a Leafs fan so it isn't pure hate, just pure fact.
- Domidives

Why not? Say the caps fall in 1-5 last spots this year, acquiring a player like kessel would put them over the top, even a team like the panthers.

Kessel is a proven consecutive 30+ goal scorer, got 81 pts last year in 81 games, he is proven player already at only the age of 24 turning 25. He is still a young.

you really think winnipeg is gonna trade kane, a 21 year old, 30 goal scorer, who's locked up for the next six years at a good cap hit....for a guy who's 4 years older, and is likely going to be wanting a massive raise next year.

obviously kessel is more productive RIGHT NOW, but if you look at the big picture, there is NO WAY wpg trades kane for kessel.
- sensarmy_11

There's been talk of Winnipeg not liking Kane, and lots of rumours of off-ice issues with the guy.

He's also flat out not as talented as Kessel, IMO.

You're making too much sense for this "genuis".
- Domidives

Wow people care about spelling here. Sorry didn't think I was in an English lecture.

the team that Toronto would be dealing him to would be a contending team....So no you will not be getting a top 5 pick.
- acresd

Pay attention Allstarzz!! Smart people are making good points.

the team that Toronto would be dealing him to would be a contending team....So no you will not be getting a top 5 pick.
- acresd

Claims the guy who's team sucked and magically got good overnight

Problem is we need more forward prospects than D. We have Finn, Percy, Reilly, and Gardiner with the big club. But forwards-wise we are lacking. And the Pens 1st rounder is going to be a 25-30 pick most likely. That makes sense for the pens, but not the Leafs. But Kessel with SID would be DEADLY.
- Allstarzz

yeah i ultimately dont feel there is a deal to be had here, unless you guys get desperate to move him and for some odd reason the market isnt great. the leafs need is greater up front for youth, which the pens lack anyway. but damn, he would be awesome with crosby. the speed to keep up and the hands to finish. definitely see him being a consistent 40 goal 75 point player with him.

There's been talk of Winnipeg not liking Kane, and lots of rumours of off-ice issues with the guy.

He's also flat out not as talented as Kessel, IMO.
- Feeling Glucky?

CUZ HE BLACK

Yes please.

really?...and then can you at least buy us ice cream after that raping
- senstroll

haha i think you guys would be entitled to at least 2 cones after a trade like that. obviously i dont think a one for one trade like that is fair. i just thought it was odd that people thought youd have a hard time getting a first for him until i saw the qualifier of top 5.

if the leafs call on phil's agent before july 1st is that concered tappering.

yeah i ultimately dont feel there is a deal to be had here, unless you guys get desperate to move him and for some odd reason the market isnt great. the leafs need is greater up front for youth, which the pens lack anyway. but damn, he would be awesome with crosby. the speed to keep up and the hands to finish. definitely see him being a consistent 40 goal 75 point player with him.
- stayinthefnnet

He could probably get 50 playing with Sid. He was on pace for 50 with Boston playing with Savard, until an injury slowed him down. He finished with 36 that year in only 70 games. But could you imagine Sid, Malkin, Kessel, Neal, Letang...

What if we traded for duchene and colorado's first rounder? for kessel and if we have to add we add obviously

haha i think you guys would be entitled to at least 2 cones after a trade like that. obviously i dont think a one for one trade like that is fair. i just thought it was odd that people thought youd have a hard time getting a first for him until i saw the qualifier of top 5.
- stayinthefnnet

Fair enough. 2 cones and a 1st for Kessel

You should trade him because he is going to walk when he becomes a UFA. This kid has taken so much abuse from Leaf fans and the media in his time in TO that I bet he can't wait to go to a new place and have a fresh start without hearing about everything it cost to bring him there and comparing seasons with Seguin and Hamilton. For that reason amongst others the Leafs should deal him and build properly.
- riceroni

Taken abuse for what? He has lived up to expectations. He didn't make the trade and overpay for himself...he has done nothing but score 30+ in each of his seasons as a Leaf and was 6th in the NHL in scoring last year...what else could people want from him?

That said, I would consider dealing him depending on the return. Carter who wanted out of Columbus got Jack Johnson and a 1st...
Saying that Kessel couldn't net close to what he cost is a bit odd too...Kessel couldn't get a prospect, a 1st and a 2nd? Heck, Kaberle got us that, LOL

CUZ HE BLACK
- AdamFrench

pretty much

There's been talk of Winnipeg not liking Kane, and lots of rumours of off-ice issues with the guy.

He's also flat out not as talented as Kessel, IMO.
- Feeling Glucky?

i agree that, offensively, he's not quite there yet. however, he is only 21, and is putting up the same numbers that kessel did at that age. add to that, the fact that kane is a bit more of a 3 zone player, and has a real physical edge to his game.

all "leaf hate" aside, if i'm a gm, looking at the whole package (talent, age, contract, etc), i'm taking kane over kessel every time.