No team is going to take on $56 million for a second-tier star player AND give up something of real "hockey" value unless they have a good chunk of dead money (Semin, Mike Richards, AMac, or, um, Clarkson) to also send back in return.

The Nash comparisons are off-base since his combination size and skill will ALWAYS be sought after in the NHL.
- Snowblind

Who's the 2nd tier star that you're referring too? if this is Kessel you were talking about seriously just stop

Just my opinion. I think he's a low character guy who isn't a team player and I'd hate to see him on the isles. Is he talented? Hell yes. Is he a guy who's going to put the team first or carry them on his back? I don't ever see him turning into that guy. Quite the opposite. I'd hate having him on the isles. I don't expect anyone to agree with that, but that's my opinion.
- Isles_since_6

Just to stir the pot, I agree with you.

No team is going to take on $56 million for a second-tier star player AND give up something of real "hockey" value unless they have a good chunk of dead money (Semin, Mike Richards, AMac, or, um, Clarkson) to also send back in return.

The Nash comparisons are off-base since his combination size and skill will ALWAYS be sought after in the NHL.
- Snowblind

This is a good one......

Just to stir the pot, I agree with you.
- fidopro

What else do u do around here other then stir the pot? You never have nothing logical to say. How bout u just get lost

Reading this thread made my blood boil. I understand a lot of people hate the Leafs but the way they devalue our players because they are Leafs is absolutely hillarious. Some of these trade proposals for Kessel are just stupid. We are NOT retaining salary, we are getting a roster player in return with salary, a prospect and a 1st. Any other proposals are just stupid
- coolehmon41

It has little to do with your Leafs (other than the lousy season) and all about the ginormous contract. I doubt you would see many people running down the value of JvR because he will make half as much for half as long as Kessel will.

What else do u do around here other then stir the pot? You never have nothing logical to say. How bout u just get lost
- coolehmon41

It has little to do with your Leafs (other than the lousy season) and all about the ginormous contract. I doubt you would see many people running down the value of JvR because he will make half as much for half as long as Kessel will.
- Snowblind

I'd be interested in jvr on the isles.

.
- burn

Stop being a Richard, he has a point.

No heart Kessel is just that.

No team is going to take on $56 million for a second-tier star player AND give up something of real "hockey" value unless they have a good chunk of dead money (Semin, Mike Richards, AMac, or, um, Clarkson) to also send back in return.

The Nash comparisons are off-base since his combination size and skill will ALWAYS be sought after in the NHL.
- Snowblind

Fair enough, we just have different opinions on Kessel.

I still view him as a top sniper in the league and can help a team in need of offence drastically.

And that's fair value in this league for 8 million a year.

It has little to do with your Leafs (other than the lousy season) and all about the ginormous contract. I doubt you would see many people running down the value of JvR because he will make half as much for half as long as Kessel will.
- Snowblind

He is paid to be a top 10 scorer and he is a top 10 scorer. He had a horrible 2nd half playing for a horrible coach and a team that simply gave up. Tell me where he was in scoring before Carlyle got fired. Here i'll help you, he was 6th in scoring. His contract is Nowhere near horrible, move on to another player and i might agree

Ok, I'll bite. How bout this:

To STL - Kessel
To TOR - Jay Bouwmeester
Ty Rattie
Jordan Schmaltz
2016 2nd rounder

Who's the 2nd tier star that you're referring too? if this is Kessel you were talking about seriously just stop
- coolehmon41

If he is so great, in the company of the Toews, Crosbys, etc., then why trade him at all? If he is truly a top-tier player then why don't the Leafs keep him and build around him then?

Reading this thread made my blood boil. I understand a lot of people hate the Leafs but the way they devalue our players because they are Leafs is absolutely hillarious. Some of these trade proposals for Kessel are just stupid. We are NOT retaining salary, we are getting a roster player in return with salary, a prospect and a 1st. Any other proposals are just stupid
- coolehmon41

Just asking, what PO team might have the goods that they want to part with plus the cap space to fit Kessel in?
Why is the most logical landing spot for Kessel is a non PO team?
No one is devaluing Kessel ability, its the contract that hard to fit for 7 more yrs...

If he is so great, in the company of the Toews, Crosbys, etc., then why trade him at all? If he is truly a top-tier player then why don't the Leafs keep him and build around him then?
- Snowblind

DING DING DING DING DING!!!!!

If he is so great, in the company of the Toews, Crosbys, etc., then why trade him at all? If he is truly a top-tier player then why don't the Leafs keep him and build around him then?
- Snowblind

If he was 3-4 yrs younger they would.

And nobody compares him to Toews, Crosby, etc ...

Nash, Carter, Richards, etc... yes.

I'd be interested in jvr on the isles.
- Isles_since_6

Good, take him!

Kessel made him what he is points wise.

He is still inconsistent and plays soft, but he will cost more because he has a smaller contract.

If he was 3-4 yrs younger they would.

And nobody compares him to Toews, Crosby, etc ...

Nash, Carter, Richards, etc... yes.
- The Law

Sorry but that doesn't make sense bc Kessel is still young....

If he is so great, in the company of the Toews, Crosbys, etc., then why trade him at all? If he is truly a top-tier player then why don't the Leafs keep him and build around him then?
- Snowblind

whoa hang on. Im not comparing him to the best two CENTRES in the world. You compared him to Mike Richards and I cant remember the rest. He is one of the highest scoring wingers in the league year in and year out. He has never played with an elite center, you dont think that his hindered the leafs success at all? Kessel is a very important piece to a team who has an elite center like JT. We dont have that and wont for a while, therefor no need to keep Kessel. We move him in hopes of being bad enough to draft a center of that calibre

DING DING DING DING DING!!!!!
- fidopro

(frank) off, no ding ding ding at all

If he is so great, in the company of the Toews, Crosbys, etc., then why trade him at all? If he is truly a top-tier player then why don't the Leafs keep him and build around him then?
- Snowblind

Would you build your team around P. Kane?

Is he still a great player?

Sorry but that doesn't make sense bc Kessel is still young....
- Ur Not Me

Le sigh ...really, I have to explain this?

He's 27 ....and this team has just committed to a scorched earth rebuild. the next time they're competitive it'll be with a bunch of guys currently age 17-22 ....Kessel doesn't fit that demographic.

The very basic rules of asset mngmnt - easily understood by most - suggest that you trade him for pieces that fit the demographic of the rebuild.

Sorry but that doesn't make sense bc Kessel is still young....
- Ur Not Me

It's different keeping Kessel if he's 23, for a rebuilding team. He'll be valuable on another team, but the Leafs need to rebuild.

Just asking, what PO team might have the goods that they want to part with plus the cap space to fit Kessel in?
Why is the most logical landing spot for Kessel is a non PO team?
No one is devaluing Kessel ability, its the contract that hard to fit for 7 more yrs...
- Ur Not Me

They were all suggested in the article. Every team Mike suggested makes sense. A few are playoff teams and a few will have a much better chance of making the playoffs if they get Kessel

If he is so great, in the company of the Toews, Crosbys, etc., then why trade him at all? If he is truly a top-tier player then why don't the Leafs keep him and build around him then?
- Snowblind

The biggest problem is that the position of wing is the easiest to trade for, and the last to build around. He's got elite skills, but with no D, inconsistent G and no top C, having a guy like Kessel around is like having a Ferrari but not having a license to drive...

Would you build your team around P. Kane?

Is he still a great player?
- bryant

Yes. He's also proven he can elevate his team and doesn't disappear when things get rough.