Latest on Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, Jaromir Jagr, Jeff Petry and more.
Could a trade to the Florida Panthers put the smile back on Phil Kessel’s face?
Panthers interested in Kessel.
NBC SPORTS: Mike Halford reports Toronto Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis admitted he’s had talks with several teams regarding Leafs winger Phil Kessel, though he pointed out expensive players like Kessel tend to move in the off-season, if at all. Halford cites Sun-Sentinel.com’s Harvey Fialkov noting Kessel has a summer home in Florida, going on to claim the Florida Panthers have interest in the Leafs winger but won’t give up a “young stud” to get him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kessel has a partial no-trade clause, but maybe he’d be willing to waive it to go to a market where he won’t be pestered so much by the media. The Panthers are stocked with young talent to tempt the Leafs, but they won’t part with Aaron Ekblad, Jonathan Huberdeau, Nick Bjugstad or Aleksander Barkov. Earlier this season, Panthers GM Dale Tallon suggested he was willing to part with some of his young blueline prospects for a scoring forward. Unless Tallon is willing to part with one of those good young forwards, however, I doubt there’s a fit there.
Rumor rumblings from Pierre LeBrun.
ESPN.COM: Pierre LeBrun reports Carolina’s Andrej Sekera now tops the list of available defensemen in the trade rumor mill…With Cody Franson off the trade market, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jeff Petry’s stock is rising. He’s a right-handed shot and several playoff-bound clubs seek that type of rearguard…Arizona’s Zbynek Michalek is also a right-handed shot and is a steady defensive blueliner…Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to bolster their bluelines. The Canadiens and Lightning aren’t interested in a rental deal though they could settle on that…The Penguins and Winnipeg Jets are on a long list of clubs with interest in Toronto Maple Leafs forward Daniel Winnik…Red Wings GM Ken Holland could have interest in a rental defenseman but LeBrun wonders if Holland could have interest in Dion Phaneuf provided the Leafs pick up part of his $7 million per season salary.
NICHOLS ON HOCKEY: LeBrun appeared on TSN 1260 speculating the Oilers could seek a second-round pick and either a prospect or a young player for Jeff Petry. He believed Detroit and Tampa Bay could be interested in Petry.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I doubt very much the Red Wings have serious interest in Phaneuf. That contract’s too big for a blueliner many believe is best served as a second-pairing defenseman, even if the Leafs pick up a chunk of his salary. He’s also a left-handed shot and the Wings are overloaded with them. Petry or perhaps Marek Zidlicky might be worthwhile as rental players, after which Holland can explore the market this summer for better options.
Latest on the Sabres and Jaromir Jagr.
ESPN.COM: Katie Strang reports the Buffalo Sabres forwards Chris Stewart and Cody Hodgson could be in play approaching the March trade deadline.
NICHOLS ON HOCKEY: TSN’s Darren Dreger considers Jaromir Jagr being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins “highly, highly unlikely.”
Lyle, if the four blue chip prospects aren’t available do you think Florida would part with Grimaldi, Matheson and a 1st for Kessel? As a reader pointed out in the other comments page, the Leafs might need to take Campbell bacvk, would that mean that the Leafs can turn around and send Lupul back in the deal for an additional 2nd rounder?
The panthers would part with grimaldi and maybe petrovic but I don’t see the panthers sending Matheson in any deal at the moment, plus there is no incentive to trade Campbell as they are currently only 3 points out of the final playoff spot and it may be more beneficial to potentially lose Campbell to free agency and at least try to make a run for the playoffs. Plus why would Campbell waive his no trade clause to go to a worse team then the panthers. If the panthers took on lupol I could pretty much guarantee that upshall and bergheinham would go back to Toronto plus potentially swapping second round picks
The thing that I see naybe being a snag is, Grimaldi and Trocheck seem to be more of what Toronto already has, 2nd line centers…Petrovic maybe of some interest, Howden again left winger, JVR I think Panik gets a look next year, not sure if Howden is a fit either. So that leaves 2 smallish centers a left winger or a big Defensive D man thats ceiling is questionable…not sure I see enough there if they are unwilling to part with something of some value, its almost a guarantee that the Leafs will be taking back money or holding salary so I am not sure that Kessels contract is as much of a burden as some will make it seem, if thats the case swapping contracts and gettin a pick and a b level prospect out of a top 10 point guy 7n the league seems a little off. If Bolland or Campbell came back Kessels contract is negligible, and all you are getting 2 maybes? Not sure I see it.
Have to think the deal would be more than that. If toronto takes Campbell back they need to add more. We have too many American players now. They need to get rid of some
“Too many American players”….? LOL Considering Toronto’s top 2 players are American, you may want to add a few more.
Grapes is that you????
The latest on Stewart and hodgson is that they are in play. Katie strang from espn must have some great inside contacts to have come up with that nugget of info. Well done Katie. This just in, Wayne Gretzky was traded to the la kings..
No crap, Katie. Many of these statements are re-hash of what we have heard for weeks. Stuff better start soon so many of these writers have something to report.
Even if Detroit was interested in phanuef I doubt leafs would want to send him to a team they face so often. I mean I know they can’t be picky but I think it’s a western conference team they focus on.
I still maintain Kessel to Florida or Columbus is a fit.
Ya a fit right now especially with the fact tha Panthers really dont have much in the way of scoring wingers, but in the offseason I could see another few teams possibly having some interest, especially if they exit early from the playoffs, SJ being one of them.
Like Canucks to deal Lack Higgins. Maybe Hansen Bieksa only if needed.
RW n D depth n picks in return
NYI Lack/Higgins
Nucks Reinhart/15 2nd
or
TB Lack/Bieksa
Nucks Drouin
or go for ROR or Yandle
Lmao, because Lack, Bieksa and Higgins have so much value.
Counter proposals u noob
LOL and people say Leaf fans have crazy trade aspirations. Higgins is worthless and Lack is a backup, you’d be lucky to get a second for both. Crazy Canuck fans.
That could be true also lol
Lol! And leaf fans overvalue their Players….
Saying that Florida is interested in Kessel is fairly obvious. He’d be a huge success playing with Huberdeau, and would likely make the Panthers a considerable threat going into the playoffs. Especially as the expectations would be low for them to really go deep. That being said, you can’t expect to get a guy that is a proven goal scorer and will probably be in the 1000 point club one day without giving something up. He is worth more than a bag of pucks…Bjugstad, an A prospect, 2nd round pick 2015, first in 2016. If Florida needs to send salary back, then pick up the remainder of Campbell’s contract as well.
Kessel/Lupul
Fleisch/15 1st/16 2nd/prospect
Fleischman walks for cap room
Phaneuf/keep1m ROR 7m/5yr
The Leafsmedic statement, I am totally on board with !
The panthers will not give up Bjugstad he is very young and under control for I wanna say at least another 4/5 years. The closest a prospect that the panthers would give up would either be grimaldi, howden, or trocheck plus a 1st round pick and the panthers would try to make Toronto take back someone like Fleishman, upshall, kopecky, or bergheinham. Campbell won’t waive his no trade clause to go to a worse team then the panthers
How about a huge deal.
To Florida: jvr, Kessel, polak and granberg
To toronto: barkov, gudbransen, a first and second this year plus two salary dumps ah la Jokenin and Fleishmen. Maybe throw in reimer etc to backup?
This deal will never ever work but f me it would be great for both teams. Florida can put huberdeau between Kessel and jvr and only lose one starting dman. Toronto can substitute granberg for polak. All have term so Florida will continue next year to get better.
Huberdeau’s a L winger. Bjugstad and Barkov are Florida’s top 2 centres.
If the Leafs can get a deal that involves Kessel for Gudbranson it would be a huge win for the Leafs.
Building a solid D core through trades should be a priority and then you can use the draft and UFA’s to stock up on the forwards. Forwards develop much faster than D.
Gudbranson would be a nice piece to build your D around at 23 and 6′ 5″. Very solid in his own end.
Unlike Specs my belief is to get the D situation looked after first as it takes much longer to develop.
RUSS then Kessel to Arizona n get Yandle in a package.
I would do that trade in a heartbeat, but in the offseason and at the draft. Nice trade for the home team panthers unfortunately its going to take way more then gudbranson to get that trade done
I was rude earlier Russ and I apologize….I really think you are wrong. Kessel will get much more than gudbransen. He will get him, and at least a first. If not more. You need to come to terms with the fact that a. If Kessel was with another team aside from the leafs he would be more highly regarded and b. He is worth far more than you think. His is better than most in the league.m
matty… I disagree you are overvaluing kessel he is very one dimensional makes 8million with no leadership qualities what so ever he will get what seguin and spezza got!
Any deal of Kessel to Florida won’t see Tallon trading any roster young guns or prospects IMO. Top picks n some contract if before the TDL or prolly not all. I figure keep Phaneuf if Kessel goes n add D eg Yandle or the Preds. If Phaneuf goes for a ROR package then keep Phil. Keeping one is fine but Lupul has gotta stay healthy to give any value a Leaf or bait.
First any trade would include many moving parts. First not even Flordia can take on Phil’s contract without something going back the other way which would either mean Campbell or Bolland.
Next any trade will punish the Leafs for the salary Phil is paid and that will be considered in the trade.. If Toronto loses a couple spare parts not name Nylander so be it. TO needs a core and the sooner that is determined the sooner the building can really commence.
Gudbranson has great D meaning defensive zone defenseman… the Leafs win the trade when he realizes his offensive potential.
Stop looking at just the offense.. D wins championships … Period
Get a solid defensive core then build from there. With the first rounders the Leafs need Centers …
Agree Russ
Trade for top 4 D or top 2 C.
Picks n prospects next if not.
Any rumors on Iggy going back to the Flames if they are in contention for a spot at the deadline and Colorado isn’t???
I would love to see Iggy back in Calgary just as much as anyone but it likely won’t happen until they are true contenders.
Or Kessel can just stay in Toronto and retire as one of the Leaf’s top goal scorers of all time..
What do you think about a deal with edmonton for their first?
Kadri, bernier for edmontons first and. Purcell m. Edmonton gets out of a terrible contract with giving up a first but get a goalie and a second line centre.
MacEichel is better n cheaper.
They can get goalie anytime.
matty… not a chance in hell edm trades that pick! especially for bernier and kadri! lmao
could the Bruins be trading Subban for Petry …..he Bruins recalled Subban today .
That would be a terrible trade for the Bruins
If Subban goes it will be for more than a rental.
Maybe a package with either Lucic or Hamilton for Eberle or Hall.
Also I know more would have to go prospects picks and salary like Eriksson or Kelly.
Let’s get the Ducks in the conversation for Kessel.
Palmieri, Etem and a #1 pick or a 2nd rounder and Nicolas Kerdiles. But Toronto takes back Bourque (expiring contract) to lessen the salary blow this season.
Ducks can afford him by including Bourqe and with Brewer and Souray off the books after this year that’s just over $8 mil off the books.
Ducks want D to round out for a Cup run.
kessel to florida makes most sense him by himself or in a pkg of players
kadri and reamer to oilland for yakapov and 2nd rounder this yr
jvr to pens for 2 prospects and downie
BTW
to oilland
gilbert tinordi fucale, prospect and 1st round draft choice
to habs
yakapov, eberle and petry
It took 2 first rounders to get Kessel, all he has proved is that he is still worth 2 first rounders at most. Any trade scenarios with b level prospects and bad picks make no sense. This is an off season move where there is a lot of talent going back and forth