Latest speculation about the Maple Leafs, Oilers and Jets, plus updates on Keith Yandle, Zack Kassian and Chris Stewart
Should the Leafs blow up their roster and move out stars like Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak & James van Riemsdyk?
NICHOLS ON HOCKEY: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports some teams have informed the Toronto Maple Leafs they’re willing to trade for Phil Kessel, though he notes the Leafs haven’t indicated that Kessel’s available. He also believes there’s interest in Dion Phaneuf…LeBrun claims the Edmonton Oilers have received inquiries about one of their “big three” kids but they aren’t ready to have that discussion…He feels the Buffalo Sabres waited too long to move Chris Stewart because he’s had a brutal year, missing a chance to trade him earlier in the season to Ottawa or Boston. As for Tyler Myers, the Sabres only seem to be toying with that idea… Darren Dreger would be surprised if Zack Kassian finishes the season with the Vancouver Canucks. Though Kassian was linked earlier this season to the Boston Bruins, Dreger doesn’t think there’s a deal to be made…Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman claims he’d be blown away if defenseman Jeff Petry re-signed with the Edmonton Oilers.
TSN.CA: Jeff O’Neill believes the Toronto Maple Leafs should trade Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf, if for nothing else than to get those contracts off the books. Jamie McLellan believes the Leafs should start the process by moving players like Joffrey Lupul, and he feels goaltender Jonathan Bernier, defenseman Morgan Rielly are untouchable, while O’Neill would retain James van Riemsdyk and perhaps Jake Gardiner.
SPORTSNET: Mike Johnston cites TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie’s belief Leafs management could have difficulty pulling off a major move before the trade deadline owing to uncertainty over next season’s salary cap because of the free-falling Canadian dollar. Johnston’s colleague Damien Cox believes the Leafs should blow up the roster and rebuild. Lavoie argues that, while there’s a market for Leafs stars like Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf, getting back only draft picks and prospects isn’t a guarantee the club will eventually improve. Lavoie believes winger James van Riemsdyk would attract interest on the trade block but doubts the Leafs move him. Cox admits it’ll take time to move players like Kessel and Phaneuf but feels the Leafs could have an easier time finding interest in players like Franson, Tyler Bozak, Roman Polak and Joffrey Lupul.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Regarding the Leafs, I don’t believe they’ll make any major roster moves leading up to the trade deadline, other than perhaps moving out any UFAs they can’t or won’t re-sign (like perhaps Cody Franson, Daniel Winnik and Mike Santorelli, depending upon their respective asking prices and if management believes they have long-term futures in Toronto) or maybe someone like James Reimer or Lupul if there’s a market for him. I think they’ll wait until the off-season, when they’ve got a new head coach in place, before considering any major moves involving their stars, as teams have more cap space and willingness to deal. It remains to be seen if stars like Kessel, Phaneuf or JVR are dealt, but those moves certainly won’t happen by the trade deadline.
Why is Pierre LeBrun “hating” on Chris Stewart? Doesn’t he know some commenters on this site believe Stewart is a great trade asset who’ll fetch a first-round pick and a top prospect? LeBrun’s right, Sabres GM Tim Murray should’ve moved Stewart earlier in the season. Stewart will likely be dealt at the trade deadline but not for Murray’s ridiculous asking price, and certainly not for what the Senators or Bruins were willing to offer up earlier in the season.
Jeff Petry’s a goner. I don’t see why he’d want to stick with an continually awful team like the Oilers when he has a great opportunity to land with a much better team via free agency.
NBC SPORTS: Jason Brough examines the factors (return, contract status) which could impact a trade of Arizona Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle, listing Colorado, Detroit, Minnesota and Boston as possible trade destinations…Brough also notes Vancouver Canucks winger Zack Kassian is resolved to the possibility he could be dealt. Canucks GM Jim Benning admitted some teams have inquired about Kassian but wouldn’t say if the winger is going to be traded.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Yandle hits the trade block it’ll likely be this summer, not at the trade deadline, unless the Coyotes get a mind-blowing offer…I think Kassian will be dealt, it’s just a question of which club makes the right offer.
WINNIPEG SUN: Paul Friesen believes the Jets should consider trading one of their top-six defensemen (Dustin Byfuglien, Tobias Enstrom, Zach Bogosian, Mark Stuart) if they hope to get a good return which helps the club clinch a playoff berth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of this bunch I’d say move Enstrom if you can. The Jets played well in his absence and his puck-moving skills and experience would attract interest.
MLIVE.com: Ansar Khan wonders “if a package including a roster player like Jakub Kindl or Joakim Andersson, a mid-level prospect and a second-round pick land them (Detroit Red Wings) someone like Edmonton’s Jeff Petry.”
Hi Lyle;
First time posting here…
Want to know you thoughts on Kessel. Leafs are in a pickle to say the least, and as history shows, you need a #1 C to be competitive in this league, or at the minimum, a winger who’ll take the reins and be that on ice leader (of which Phaneuf is not). Arizona has assets to trade and are rebuilding, but do you reckon they could potentially take a risk on Kessel, who could return Yandle and dar eI say Domi in the return? With management in flux there in AZ, such a large scale move is unlikely to happen, but would that type of return for Kessel be what is expected?
Cheers
I think the Coyotes intend to rebuild largely with affordable youth. I’ll be very surprised if they dealt for Kessel.
Blowing up the Leafs will solve nothing. This is yet another example of the media exerting pressure when thinge are not going well.
First the CORSI numbers with the coaching changet hAve shown results. If the management and coaches can keep this a primary focus in the dressing room things will get better.
The Leafs need to tweak thier line up by getting a bona-fide first line center in free agency. This will likely mean moving Phaneuf or Gardiner. After that a couple D and Toronto will be on the right track.
Kessel, JVR, Clarkson, Bozak, and so forth are just entering thier prime. Mix in Kadri who is coming into his own and the future is not as bleak as one would think.
IMO Toronto needs to shed Gardiner and Reimer contacts so they can take on Richards contract. Richards knows what is needed to win and just because he is in Sutter’s doghouse does not mean his career is over at 30.
Did you see what Staal just signed for yesterday? Believe it or not he struggled a bit in his career too. “Shedding” Gardiners contract is a mistake…no guarantee you are going to find a guy who could still be a top 4 D on this team in the next while for 4 mill…too much is made about Gardiner D men come at a cost. He has looked bad at times for sure but there are alot worse out there and alot more exspensive. Take him for what he is…he is much younger and better than Robidas who makes almost as much.
but there is a guarantee you can get a better defensive dman for less! gardiner is never gonna live to that contract imo
Contracts aside, Gardiner sucks on D, it’s these one-dimensional players like him that are part of the problem, more so than the solution.
Point taken Shticky.
Bottom line is some money has to be freed up in order for the team to move forward.
I do agree some money needs to be freed up…but ya dont chop a tree down with 1 swing of the axe, it might involve moving some contracts out and taking possibly a contract or 2 back that may have a shorter term. Simmilar to what MB has done in Montreal.
except nonis isn’t smart enough to do that
Since we’ve beaten the first line centre issue with the leafs, which we all agreed can only seem to be drafted now a days, how do you feel they should get one Russ? The team is awful. A tweak here and there won’t work. They’ve done this for years. Torontonians have wanted a full rebuild for years. The media have wanted tweaks and the “trading for a first line centre”. It’s fools gold. It won’t happen. The only thing they haven’t tried in my 35 years is a full rebuild. Why not actually do it? They have the chance to fill the cupboards by trading literally everyone they can but more specifically, every member of their poisonous core. I am not saying this will solve all and like other teams they can mess it up. Everyone says that it didn’t work for edmonton so it won’t work for toronto but her, it worked for Chicago, worked pretty darn well for Pitt too
Someone touched on this yesterday and my question was…..How do you trade an entire roster in the salary cap era? Too many teams are either in a cap crunch already, or not willing to take on 8-7-6-5 million dollar contracts at this point. My other question is….how do you build a roster on players you do not have/hope to have /or may have in the future? The framework has to start within the franchise. I don’t care how bad a team is (And no…I don’t believe Toronto is that bad) , There is no way that every single player on a team needs to go.
Without at least have a 3-4-5 player minimal core, building a franchise in this way seems a lot like building a house around the kitchen sink, when the concrete hasn’t been poured and no framework done.
Build it as if you were an expansion team drafting everyone’s garbage. Trade what you can for prospects and draft picks. Take the 5 years to build it back up by fi noshing near the bottom for a few years,
However I am not on the leaf rebuild bandwagon. I think they should continue what they started recently. Allow young guys more playing time, don’t sign or trade for anymore 30+ Year old players. Trade the veteran talent you can, not just to get rid of them, the ones you can’t can still be valuable. Put financialsport behind you drafting team and improve it. Realize this transformation will take more than a couple of seasons.
Nyr I do enjoy your comments and I do believe what you are saying is true thoug I do believe a complete rebuild is doable. I was hammered yesterday when I put trade proposals together. They were for garbage players and picks/prospects. Tanner glass was one. In no way do I believe tanner glass is worth anyone on the leafs but I do know we need his salary to make a deal work plus, his contract would expire soon. No we cannot trade the whole team it is true but we can move the core. Kessel, phaneuf, jvr, bozak, kadri whomever, I believe clarkson and Lupal are not moveable right now with their contracts but with lots of cap space who cares. The team will not be strong. I would be happy with Kessel, phaneuf, bozak, jvr, reimer, santorelli, plus moved. I really like gardiner and think he should stay but if you are offered a good deal for him move him. It’s just my opinion. I believe franson and the ufas will go. I think someone will absolutely knock the leafs socks off at the deadline for a deal with jvr because of how good he is and how amazing his contract is. I like jvr a lot but he is a great trade bit right now.
it worked in la, bos,mtl ana as well it works
When people advocate the Leafs do a “full-rebuild” as it’s the “only thing they haven’t tried” it leaves me scratching my head…
Why does a rebuld need to be full? Do you actually think that every single player is that terrible? And if you do think that, what would the leafs get for those terrible players… a bunch of 3rd and 4th round picks? The only rational reason to trade everyone is if you need to completely eradicate the team culture. Otherwise, you are throwing out the baby with then bathwater, and unlikely to bring back in the value you ship out.
Speaking of full rebuilds, Brian Burke traded *everyone* on the main club roster. How does that not count as a full rebuild? Who else needed to be traded for it to count? The Leafs have already done a full rebuild. Their average age, and number of quality prospects is much different than it was six years ago. The culture has changed too. When Brian Burke took over the team, they were known as 3rd period choke artists, blowing more leads than anyone else in the league. Fast forward to now, and the Leafs are among the leagues absolute best at maintaining a lead. They are now one of the faster teams in the league, another big change from six years ago.
What the team needs, first and foremost, is the right coach. All due respect to the current committee, but you can’t have guys like Kessel so reigned in they become useless. He needs to take flight. That’s how he inspires. Instead he is frustrated and unable to do the things he is best at. It’s way past time the Leafs hired a smart, experienced players coach, someone who will take the edge off of the caustic media, protect his guys, and get their full buy in for longer than a season or two. A tough guy coach in Toronto is not going to work. It is already a tough enough place to play with the media scrutiny and deadbeat audience in the lower bowl of the ACC and the looming desperation of the last 47 years. Until this coach is in place, anything other than pre emptive contract moves would be ill advised. The head coaches input is critical in any retooling.
JVR to Dallas for Nichushkin?
Not a fan of either team, but JVR would fit very well with Seguin, Benn, Spezza….
I also think JVR would fit very well in either Anaheim or LA.
Anaheim has the resources to pull it off too. Not sure what LA would give up for JVR, but it would allow them to let Williams walk at the end of the year.
@ Russ – what bona-fide first line centre is available in free agency? Unless you are going after an RFA, there isn’t much projected to be available.
Matty, if you want bad expiring contracts the Penguins can offer you nick spalling, craig adams, AND Rob scuderi for JVR and whatever 2 mill contract you want. That would be at least 6 mill off the books by the end of next season.
Finding a bona fide 1st line center in free agency is a tall order.
“by getting a bona-fide first line center in free agency …” There isn’t any. And don’t, for a fleeting moment, think that Vermette – the best C available – is a first-line C.
Brad Richards? LOL
Hi Russ;
I don’t think this is the media’s doing. Since the Sundin era, the leafs have had no identity on the ice. They can score, but they do so at the sacrifice of D and hope their goalie can bail them out. Look at the Leaf goalies of yore (Potvin, Cujo, Belfour) and tell me their great D in all those years…
The Leafs had an identity, and players with accountability (Sundin, Roberts, Tucker, Domi etc..) all had their own niche and role, yet all were accountable. Look on the team now, and tell me who plays that role. Phaneuf is no captain, I couldn’t care less about is D capability, he’s OK, but nothing exceptional. You need a top C. Pretenders like Bozak and Kadri are not top C, put them on DET, SJ, LA or 20 other teams, and at best, they are #2 C, but really 3rd line.
I think the Leafs have to eradicate the cancer from the dressing room, and bring in guys to bring leadership. Lupul could have done that, but as was like broken Jochen Hecht, he’s always injured.
Top C is needed, and leadership.
your thoughts??
well said greg the biggest problem is the cancers in the room kessel doesn’t want to listen to anybody phaneuf is a 3-4 dman with no leadership qualities at all lupul could help but never plays Clarkson just total waste of money could play an elc young player and get the same out of him! and gardiner was just signed long term way to early for too much money. reilly,kadri and bernier should be kept franson is there best trade chip he will start a bidding war at the deadline they should stock up on picks and do it like mb did it with the habs!
I was specifically thinking RFA and/or KHL free agents.
Galchenyuck, Huberdeau, and Stefan are 3 good RFA’S.
Dustin Boyd, Linus Omark, and Radulov are three guys you might want to gamble on from the K.
I am not a Leaf fan but the recipe for success is not far from being completed.
The last piece Toronto needs is a leader that can unit the team. Somebody like Hartnell, or Marchand. Somebody that the prima Donnas will respect.
@Russ
Do you mean Stepan from NYR? I can’t see NY trading away Stepan, and unless Toronto is willing to go 7 million + per year, NY would quickly match any offer sheet. He will be looking for the same contract as ROR at minimum. I’m guessing Sather will go 6-6.5 per (knowing Sather short 2 year deal. So Toronto will have to go 7+ to make Sather even flinch.
Offering contracts to someone else’s RFAs has been tried only a handful of times. Not only did the teams match the offer but it made the offering team a pariah. I know, I know … why was it put there if teams are reluctant to go down that road? Good question. But the fact is, any team trying that can expect quid pro quo when THEIR RFAs pop up and being forced to match for the real good ones would soon put those teams right over the cap.
Indeed it is Stepan. Got to hate auto fill but anyway.
In regards to RFA’s there have been mixed results. With the salary cap it could be quite a useful tool if the other team can not afford the salary.
Now the largest issue is the owners frown on managers who “poach” restricted players as it drives contract values up but many would argue it is another Avenue for parity as it typically would allow the have not a star player.
Toronto should explore every Avenue to achieve the ultimate goal.
Some teams tank seasons to manipulate the system so why not do what you got to do to make things happen.
A signing of this magnitude would cost a first-, second-, and third-round pick but it should take you to the late round in picks and if it got the Leafs to the conference finals everybody would think it was worth it.
@Russ,
Like I said, I can’t imagine a scenario that NY will let Toronto walk away with Stepan. Unless Toronto can shed some serious salary between now and then, They are going to have to offer 7+ which for Stepan is a bit of overpayment. I’d go as far to say NY would maybe even match 7-7.5 given their current situation at center.
and you won’t get any of them ,galchenyuk will be done by seasons end and believe me the leafs HAVE NOTHING I MEAN ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO TRADE FOR HIM!!!
I see what you are saying, but those three will not be allowed to just walk to another team.
Stepan is one of the core members of the NYR, and as NYR4LIFE says…unless the offer is ridiculous, there is no way.
The same for the other 2..Montreal has the resources to match any offer from the Leafs.
Your right…this way of obtaining players should be used by all teams to improve. As a Flyers fan, I have seen them try to use this tactic time and again…from Kessler to Weber, to Gratton.
I just don’t see those three players moving from their teams.
One thought I have had isn’t directed necessarily at the individuals, but at the attitude of the “generation” within the room. By having a team full of entitled 20 somethings that feel they bear no responsibility for the poor on ice product is the problem. I think what this dressing room is lacking is more than just leadership, its a role model. Someone these guys grew up watching that they idolized 10-15 years ago. I keep coming back to Gary Roberts. He’s an ex-leaf, played on the last good Leaf team, was an inspiration on and off the ice, over came personal adversity (broken neck), and has a Stanley Cup. I’m not saying that he should be the next head coach, but he would be an excellent assistant coach, or Marlies coach. The skill set on this team is undeniable, but the laziness (I don’t know what else to call it that I can put on a family friendly blog) and entitlement is overwhelming. At the very least, as Horachek may not have a job next season, he should lay down the law. If Kessel isn’t going to show up for a week, bench him. The loudest message that dressing room could possibly get is coming in on gameday and seeing Kessel as a healthy scratch.
I don’t know if I can leave a link to this, but was a very telling thing about Canucks drafting as opposed to the potato that Nonis generally has to vie against. Sometimes you don’t have to blow it all up, you just have to stick to the process and build with better drafting now. http://canucksarmy.com/2014/5/20/we-think-the-vancouver-canucks-may-have-a-scouting-problem If you read this, and compare our drafting (Yes, I’m a huge canucks fan and you think Toronto has bad drafting) versus the version of the potato, you’d almost cry for the team we would have brought to 2011 stanley cup playoffs.
taking on richards contract is dumb that’s what keeps getting the leafs into this mess …getting a bonafide top center is going to be difficult or next to impossible to get unless u draft one and you’ll still be aways away from being on the right rtrack it’s still bleak there very bleak you cupboards are bare and there isn’t much there to deal the major pieces are jvr, and i guess bernier if you wanted to go down that road you won’t get anything signiifcant for kadri or gardiner and nothing for lupul
You won’t have a problem shedding Gardiner’s contract, if the Leafs wanted to move him, about 29 teams would be interested. As for Richards, he’s done as anything but a 4th line centre, and currently he is by far the most over-paid 4th centre in the league-not something you should be looking to take on.
Also, Clarkson is 31 (in March), he came and left his prime already.
greg,welcome to the site, the leafs and all teams need a #1 center as you stated and are correct,but nt a winger,you have one that you built around and where has it got you? i can’t see arizona trading for kessel as they want to dump salary and rebuild not add a contract like kessel,i think nashville is the best bet for a trade
There’s no way Nashville is interested in kessel right now. They are in first place and should not do anything to disrupt their chemistry let alone bring in a moody, one dimensional, me first nightmare phil kessel. They are looking for tweaks for a cup run not franchise altering mistakes.
Granted Bozej is not your typical 1 C he n Phil play well together. Another 2 C is needed if Kadri cannot step up n round his game out better even I think he’s very talented. Trading Phil is iffy he’s an elite scorer an a rare commidity. A top 2 D man is a minimum i’dcwant in return or keep him n get the other missing parts.
Domi is the top ranked NHL affiliated-prospect according to TSN:
http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-hockey-s-top-30-nhl-affiliated-prospects-1.183391
I can’t see the Coyotes trading him without at least giving him a few years to see what he can do. There is no chance they would trade Domi right now.
If Yandle is traded, he will get the usual..a player, pick and prospect.
I can’t see Yandle and Domi being packaged together for any trade in the league right now, let alone Kessel, who , as Lyle stated, does not really fit into the rebuild plans the Coyotes appear to be heading towards.
I always thought it was amazing how so many placed such high value on a guy (Stewart) who has exactly 120 goals and 120 assists in 425 NHL games and whose best years were the 38 goals/64 points accumulated 5 years ago in Colorado and the 18 goals in the lockout-shortened season with St. Louis 3 years ago. He’d be a decent addition somewhere on the 3rd line at maybe $2.5 mil tops. And that type does NOT fetch you either a 1st or 2nd round pick AND a top prospect. As for the Jets, even mentioning Byfuglien as a trade possibility is asinine. Mind you, if his name was tossed out there Winnipeg would have the other 29 teams pounding on their door. THAT isn’t going to happen.
A guy like Stewart is simply more than stats. If stats were the basis many Leafs would be gone.Playing in Buffalo nobody looks tradeable. Stewart over Clarkson anyday n twice on Sundays at their contracts. Stewart is at least a 2nd n a prospect.
Stewart is still cheaper, stronger and better than Clarkson. Wow what in the world was Nonis thinking?
Trade Buff? That’s insane. He’s a cup winning all star and the toughest player in the NHL, currently having the best year of his career! Enstrom is an essential puck mover. (No!) Stuart is replaceable, Bogo is a question mark.
Imo Bogo is a guy alot of teams should be targeting for the same reason as Lyle mentioned about Enstrom, the Jets played very well in his absence maybe they could afford to be without him…he would have a pretty good value around the league.
I have always been a Bogosian fan , depends on the return but I’d hang on to him if I were the Jets. Buff is also not a guy I would trade during the season, perhaps in the off season. I agree with Lyle , listen to offers on Enstrom. Return needs to be a decent forward , not a prospect of pick, they need a top 6 fwd.
Target? Thats very vague.
Throw some Corsi at us or think why would the Jets trade him. U sound like Eklunf now.
Bogo is better than any Leaf D man for starters. FYI Winnipeg played great with their D decimated.
You drunk?
Clear it up for you..yes the Jets have played very well while their blueline was for the most part hurt for a long period of time on and off all year they have fantastic depth, teams in the league who are looking for D men should be calling Chevy now that its healthy, Bogosian is a great D man that could help the Jets address another area rather quickly because he is good and since they have played good with out him maybe they would consider trading him, maybe if someone offered them another good player…..simple enough for ya?
In one breath “A guy like Stewart is simply more than stats…” and in another “throw some COR SI at u s …”
Make up your mind.
Bogosian is a great all-around defender but he more often than not is on the wrong side of 60 games played in a year. Its hard to place value on a guy like that.
The Wings could offer up some nice packages for teams seeking depth. Not sure what Franzens contract says regarding trades but wings have some leftover money from Alfredson retiring. Could pick up part of Kindl and Franzen salary. Weiss just does not fit in Wings system. He could be a factor in a trade as well. Quincy and Smith are not untouchable either. Wings need a Bickel or Lucic like forward if they want to ensure playoff birth
Franzen is just a cheaper copy of Lupul. And older. He’s 35, frequently injured and carries a cap hit of close to $4 mil.
Over 20 yrs of making the playoffs for the Wings. I’m sure they r not concerned.
Hi Lyle,
Let’s try this again, been a long time reader of your sire for years and this was supposed to be my first post. Huge Jets fan, and I would have to agree with you on Enstrom. I believe he would be better off on a more finesse type time, East, as he gets banged around and knocked off the puck a lot. With Truba coming back, Postma sitting out, Enstrom would be our best trade chip to land that third line winger. I also think it would be time to move Kane out, as he would bring in a big return,with Winnipeg doing well drafting and developing their youth and not running out trading away the future as the previous version of the Jets. I would think more along the line of draft day or the summer. I would not want Mike Richards. What do you think?
Enstrom would be a good trade chip, though I’d hope they could get more than a third-line winger. Kane would bring a big return but I don’t think Chevy’s willing to part with him. And yes, they should stay far, far away from Mike Richards.
Every team should stay well away from Richards. Including L.A. if they could. Those who place a high value on him are the same ones who think Chris Stewart could bring a fat return. Fat chance.
Agree..why do LA a favour
Are Toby and Buff still playing together? They did in Atlanta and played well as a pair.
It’s unusual not seeing trade rumors swirling around the Islanders, but all is calm in Islanders country. Josh Bailey seems to be settling in at left wing on the Tavares line and should be able to hold that spot for the rest of the year barring injury. The Islanders are everyone’s worst nightmare now. By the way, what time is it? 5 past Fleury!
I See the Islanders as a very good regular season team who isn’t built for the playoffs.
They need to add some grit or risk losing in the first round to a team like Boston,Rangers,Detroit or Montreal. Same goes for Tampa Bay.
Lyle, the thing that really scares me with the Leafs is that they are close enough to the playoffs and with some prospects coming that management could be deluded into making tweaks instead of wholesale changes in the off season. There is no likely way to trade for the 1C and 1D that they need to compete for a Cup and so it’s a rebuild or more mediocrity. The latter has always been the way in Toronto and it’s the one thing the fans don’t want. Sigh
you not close to the playoffs end that pipedream now the 8 teams that have the current 8 spots will all make it
Bang on DAN. Bubble teams get indecisive too often n get mid 1st rounders either way.
Teams such as Chicago n LA draft well n most other teams do not.
I like the chances of a bogdasian to philly trade. Flyers have some young forwards on decent contracts
All I hear on this site is that teams might have interest in kessel but the leafs aren’t sure if they want to move him. Thanks for the heads up.
Bruins should trade Marchand, he is an embarrassment to the franchise. There’s nothing tough about a slew-foot. What’s worse? Broones announcers acted like it did not happen. Glad the league saw it the other way.
Bruins announcer is maybe the biggest homer of all time. 2 game suspension handed down to a lil puke continuing to try hurting ppl says it all.
If the “little puke” suddenly found himself on YOUR team of choice you’d be lined up with all the rest to kiss his butt.
Hi long time reader..first time commenter. I believe Kassian will be dealt. Bennings ties with Boston make connecting the dots easy for armchair GM’s like us. Having said that where do you see a player like Kassian landing if the Canucks pull the trigger? And what will they expect to see in return?
Best guess is Eastern Conference clubs like Boston, Florida, New Jersey and Ottawa. They all could use depth at forward. So could Winnipeg, though I’m not sure Benning’s keen to send Kassian to a Western Conference club.
Lyle, what exactly are the Canucks looking for in return for kassian? I think he’s a better option for the Penguins at 2nd/ 3rd line winger than a lot of the players that lunatic eklund has them interested in. Def better than mike Richards for a hundred different reasons. Could we get him for a 2nd round pick and a prospect not named pouliot, kapanen, harrington or dumoulin? I think his toughness and scoring touch will pay dividends in the playoffs.
But why would Vancouver trade him for a return like that?
I can’t see that …I live in the Vancouver area, and if Kassian is traded….who according to the local press might still be the second coming of Cam Neely, it better be for a part that is needed, and not making a trade just to make a trade.
I think Benning will be patient, and get a good deal for Kassian, or just keep him.
Kassian is an interesting player her has a cap hit of $1.5 his contract is for a further 2 season and then is a RFA. Obviouisly has great size, has some skill. But here’s the tough part he was fast tracked into the NHL. He should have been in the AHL for a couple of season. Here’s the question is he beyobd redemption or is he worth a spin. He does like his off ice times a little too much. I’m sure they can move him but for what ? Similar in many ways to Stewart but younger. If he were to dedicate himself to his profession he might still make it and lets be honest there are not a lot of players that size that can skate as well as this guy or have the skills this guy has
Kassian to a team wanting a 3rd liner IMO. He’s still young n inconsistent for top 2 lines. Prolly goes to the Eastern Conference but not written in stone. I can see NYI n Florida as a good fit. Philly luvs their nasties n who knows. Boston too. Maybe a package deal.
Eg Kassian/Higgins for fill in the blank.
Hey Lyle is there a way you can fix the comments section so those of us on portable devices won’t have to read three word lines when people reply to comments? You know something like what SBN sites have on their blogs?
Especially with some who like to write books when commenting…300 lines with 4 words per…
lol..sorry for the inconvenience.
I know they weren’t mentioned in this but what does philly do? Guys like phaneuf, Yandle, boychuck, franson, michalek, all available now or in the summer do they go after another high priced dman? If they make a trade do they finally do a courturier or b schenn? Or do they go for a goalie like jones, ranta, lack, or Anderson?
Any team looking to change their roster up seems like there could be a few options this year…
Sounds good if Philly can unload contracts 1st.
The Flyers desperately need to improve their D, but they have to move out about as much contract as they bring in. Someone like Lacavalier, Umberger or MacDonald would need to be moved but it would be tough to find a taker.
Their goaltending is fine, Mason has been really steady since they brought him over from CBJ at the end of the ’13 season.
The Flyers have 4 really decent d prospects in the minors. When Hextall was hired, he laid out a plan of patience, getting pieces that fit, and not just acquiring guys because they are available.
The first thing Hextall needs to do is fix the cap mess that Homer left. We have too many guys who are on multi-year deals, making more than 3.5 per. They have no cap space, and we have to use our LTIR money just to keep under the cap.
Hextall is not about to move younger players like Couturier or Schenn for older players (Yandle) or long term contracts (Phaneuf). I fully expect Boychuck to resign with the NYI…I kind of think he would be dumb not too.
Franson would not fit into the long term plans, as we have Morin and Ghost that could be full time fixtures in 2 years, and Fransons upcoming contract would not help the Flyers solve their cap issues.
Mason is our goalie. He has been playing very well this year…but the rest of the team stinks. he is currently injured, and not expected back for a while.
We have Stolarz in the AHL, and he should be ready to come up at the same time as the defense starts to come up.
What the Flyers need more than anything is some forward prospects. The cupboard is bare in that aspect. I could see the Flyers trading the Schenns to Jets as part of a package for Kane plus, but I also think that kind of deal is done in the summer. The Flyers currently would be picking top 5 at the draft, and I would like to think we would be getting a decent forward from it.
The Flyers have 8 NHL dmen.
3 are injured, and too many minutes are being given to guys like Macdonald.
I can see the Flyers having a bit of a sale at the deadline. I can see them moving a couple of parts for picks…..Coburn, Grossmann, Read, maybe Umberger or VLC if they can have a good month.
At the end of the day, the Flyers are not good enough to make the playoffs this year, and any attempts to try and save this season will be a waste of time and players. The only trades made should be with the long term view in sight, and not a knee jerk reaction.
I think Berube gets replaced before the draft.
This is going to take 3-5 years to fix, mostly due to the stupid contracts handed out by Homer.
What’s another leafs fans opinion on ROR?
Few reports coming out now Colorado is gauging interest.
IMO leafs need to be all over this. Big top 2 centre to match with kadri would be similar to krejci/Bergeron in future. Also might change some of the attitude around defensive play on this team. No real idea on what col would want in regards to return. D man plus forward?
ROR would be a great addition for the Leafs. I can see plenty of competition to land him in a trade. He won’t come cheap n Colorado needs top 2 D.
McLennan is about a million times smarter than O’Neill; “Trade Kessel just to get rid of his contract,” what an idiot!
This is a trade I think that could work for both Edmonton and Vancouver. Purcell to Vancouver for Kassian with Edmonton taking on 50%of Purcell’s contract.
Thoughts Vancouver Fans?
Boy oh boy cant wait for that Sunday rumor round up now…
When people advocate the Leafs do a “full-rebuild” as it’s the “only thing they haven’t tried” it leaves me scratching my head…
Why does a rebuid need to be full? Do you actually think that every single player is that terrible that they cannot win? And if you think that, what would the leafs getb for those useless players… A bunch of 3rd and 4th round picks? The only rational reason to trade everyone is if you need to completely eradicate the team culture. Speaking of which…
Secondly, Brian Burke traded *everyone* on the main club roster. How does that not count as a full rebuild? Who else needed to be traded for it to count? The Leafs have already done a full rebuild. Their average age, and number of quality prospects is much different than it was six years ago.
Lastly, when Brian Burke took over the team, they were known as 3rd period choke artists, blowing more leads than anyone else in the league. He said that had to stop, and that they needed a new culture. Fast forward to now, and the Leafs are among the leagues absolute best at maintaining a lead. Again, this is a very different team than six years ago.
What the team needs, first and foremost, is a coach. All due respect to the current committee, but you can’t have guys like Kessel so reigned in they become useless. He needs to take flight. That’s how he inspires. Instead he is frustrated and unable to do the thing he is best at. It’s way past time the Leafs hired a smart, experienced players coach, someone who will take the edge off of the caustic media, protect his guys, and get their funk buy in. A tough guy coach in Toronto is not going to work. It is already a tough enough place to play with the media scrutiny and deadbeat audience in the lower bowl of the ACC. Until this coach is in place, anything other than pre emotive contract moves would be ill advised.
Hi Guys, Okay not sure how many are Leafs fans here, how many have watched this team. The main problem is leadership. I would think the room should elect the captain, not a GM like Burke did. Who is wearing the A’s? Although he’s injured more than most Lupul would have made a better captain, IMO. But that’s neither here nor there as this season is 1/2 way gone and the Leafs aren’t anywhere near where Leafs fans want them to be in the standings. We have Gauthier coming, we have Percy coming, Nylander is coming, Kadri can play…and Riley is a brightest light of young guys right now (I like his “hockey sense”-good defensemen) the cupboard is not bare!!! Youth is not the problem, which makes Gardiner expendable and affordable for other teams (L.A). People who think Gardiner will be better in the future need to realize something. He isn’t what this team, right now needs. He’s not a leader, he’s not physical enough in the playoffs (ie Boston and other physical teams hammer him a few times and he’s scared to touch the puck with confidence), his give aways and lack of commitment make him expendable to the Leafs right now. If the situation was different, and the Leafs had a great defense, then his current ability and skill set offensively would probably be an asset. But right now as it stands the Leafs need to trade him before the deadline for Mike Richards. Richards is seasoned, a centreman, and brings an appropriate skillset the Leafs need right now. The funk will continue, because Gardiner being traded to LA for Richards is only one of the pieces of the puzzle. Phaneuf and another player (Reimer?) to Edmonton gets rid of Phaneuf, enough, end of story, experiment over, Edmonton gets a top 4 defenseman, Leafs free up some cap space and get something in return to prepare for Kessel and ???? for First over-all pick to get Connor McDavid… You know not many other teams have been a sad sack like the Leafs for so many years. When was the last time the Leafs had the first over all pick???? Wendal Clark??? Gary Nylund??? This team should look like this next year:
Lupal-Bozak-Eberle (Phaneuf/Reimer/Pick)
Santorelli-Richards(Gardiner)-Kadri (yep I’d move him too the wing)
Clarkson-Gauthier-Komorov
Orr-McDavid(Kessel/van Riemsdyk)-McLaren
(Holland, Bodie, Winnik, Kozun, Frattin, Panik-not the best supporting cast)
Riley-Franson
Polak-Holzer
Percy- Robidas
Ward (Bernier)-Fasth(Phaneuf/Reimer/Pick)
That’s what I’d do, blow up that 2014/15 roster and change the culture of that dressing room!