really? It's on the team and not Kessel? Because every mid season swan dive you guys have taken lately seems to coincide with kessel on a prolonged scoring slump

pretty sure you can't say it's one and not the other.
- Isles_since_6

The leafs team is kessel and phaneuf... Name a better player on the team?

Sad fact is the leafs have been terrible and haven't had anyone to help support these guys on a regular basis. So the only way to get better now is trade and start over.

I don't want him for his attitude and how lazy he looks when he's not scoring. He looks like he has no motivation half the season and that's the last thing I want on my favorite team
- Isles_since_6

Bro I wont lie, but if he had a diff contract, I would want him on our team, guys a sniper and has a good shot. Maybe his motivation changes being on a winning team, u never know, but its that contract I don't want until the kids & JT are signed long-term.

In fairness, its not all Kessel, its poor management of constructing a team. If they had better defensemen and stopped the puck more, Kessel wouldn't be the reason
- Ur Not Me

I don't think he's "the" reason the leafs keep imploding, but he's certainly a big part of the problem.

Kessel and Phaneuf will not yield much for the Leafs right now with those mega-deals after down seasons. They might as well keep them for now and try to "sell" a bit higher down the road.

Bro I wont lie, but if he had a diff contract, I would want him on our team, guys a sniper and has a good shot. Maybe his motivation changes being on a winning team, u never know, but its that contract I don't want until the kids & JT are signed long-term.
- Ur Not Me

he reminds me of what alex semin was a few years ago. so much skill, zero heart.

he reminds me of what alex semin was a few years ago. so much skill, zero heart.
- Isles_since_6

that's the Russian factor

I doubt they retain salary, most likely take back a contract with 3-4 years with some 3-4 million on it to help make money work.

It could still be a decent player though.

They are not going to give him away for free, still a great player and a huge asset
- bryant

11, Pirri, Bolland? Is that a little ambitious?

that's the Russian factor
- Ur Not Me

True story for a large percentage for sure

Mike Augello: Surveying The NHL Landscape – Where Will Phil Kessel Be Traded??
- mikeinbuffalo

Can't wait to see how this story will unfold... Exciting times!

good luck then. No interest at all from an Isles fan. Cap retained? Maybe 2016 first. No cap retained? I'd rather not commit that much salary cap to a guy who doesn't show up for large portions of every season.
- Isles_since_6

Did you have time to check with your scouting staff? Or the capologist?

I'll take Kessel and Phaneuf.

I'll take Kessel and Phaneuf.
- Feds91Stammer

done......

True story for a large percentage for sure
- Isles_since_6

Doesn't apply to Kessel though.

Bro I wont lie, but if he had a diff contract, I would want him on our team, guys a sniper and has a good shot. Maybe his motivation changes being on a winning team, u never know, but its that contract I don't want until the kids & JT are signed long-term.
- Ur Not Me

Ditto Phaneuf.

Florida is probably the best bet.

yup, baily from nyi as a dump would seem to make sense
- Tumbleweed

Considering Baileys cap hit he had a really good year

Tough to call. Nash was a different situation, a great player who never had a team around him, always gave his best effort and finally had enough of never having a shot at the cup.

Kessel has a history of long stretches without scoring, questionable effort, even more questionable attitude. I have trouble seeing much value with all of that surrounding him. If his contract was lower and had only a year or two remaining on it I’d be more inclined to think he’d be worth taking a risk on, but with that contract and his history…I’d be very disappointed if he ended up going to the isles.
- Isles_since_6

Why does Nash get the excuse of not having good players around him but not Kessel?

And the history of long stretches without scoring is a complete myth. Kessel has actually been more consistant than Rick Nash in their careers.

leafs gonna have to retain salary, take a bad contract, and get mediocre prospects and pick blah blah blah.

and Franson was worth a 3rd right?

really? It's on the team and not Kessel? Because every mid season swan dive you guys have taken lately seems to coincide with kessel on a prolonged scoring slump

pretty sure you can't say it's one and not the other.
- Isles_since_6

That's happened once. This year. He's had 80, 52 points in 44 games and 82 points the previous 3 seasons with Tyler freaking Bozak centering him.

This was the first time he tanked with the team.

leafs gonna have to retain salary, take a bad contract, and get mediocre prospects and pick blah blah blah.

and Franson was worth a 3rd right?
- GardinerExpress

And good luck getting Mike Babcock.

Why does Nash get the excuse of not having good players around him but not Kessel?

And the history of long stretches without scoring is a complete myth. Kessel has actually been more consistant than Rick Nash in their careers.
- RogerRoeper

Outside of Ovechkin and arguably Stamkos which goal scorer isn't streaky? Ovechkin gets around 40-60 goals a season which is about 20-40 games where he isn't scoring.

leafs gonna have to retain salary, take a bad contract, and get mediocre prospects and pick blah blah blah.

and Franson was worth a 3rd right?
- GardinerExpress

The notion the Leafs would need to take back an expensive contract is legitimate. Just to make the money work for a team that may not be as wealthy as Toronto.

Outside of Ovechkin and arguably Stamkos which goal scorer isn't streaky? Ovechkin gets around 40-60 goals a season which is about 20-40 games where he isn't scoring.
- Dangles13

Only Kessel gets that bad rap. You are correct.

And good luck getting Mike Babcock.
- RogerRoeper

Ok, that's still a (frank)ing shock. Don't act like it isn't.

I hate no faith that they will trade Kessel or even try to. He contributed to the tank --- it failed. Move on. Shanny just told everyone he was available to soften the blow of the tank. There is no way he is traded. Shanny never had that in mind.