Latest on Phil Kessel, James Wisniewski, Curtis Glencross, Paul Martin and more.
Kessel to the Sharks?
Could the Sharks have interest in Phil Kessel?
CSNBAYAREA.COM: Kevin Kurz responded to a reader’s e-mail asking about the possibility of the San Jose Sharks acquiring winger Phil Kessel from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kurz notes the Sharks are among the few teams who can absorb Kessel’s $8 million per season salary, plus he had good chemistry with Joe Pavelski on Team USA at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
The return, however, could be expensive. ” The Sharks would likely have to surrender a player like Tomas Hertl, Matt Nieto, Mirco Mueller, and/or Nikolay Goldobin along with multiple draft picks if they were to make a run at Kessel,” writes Kurz, who nevertheless feels the Leafs winger might be worth it…In other Sharks rumors, Kurz suggests Antti Niemi could be a fit with “perhaps Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh or the Islanders?” He’s also heard Scott Hannan linked to the Penguins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bear in mind we don’t know if the Sharks are actually interested in Kessel. If they are, such a move likely won’t happen until the offseason. The Leafs will certainly seek a return of young players and draft picks for Kessel…The Lightning and Penguins won’t pursue Niemi as they’re content with their goaltending tandems. The Islanders could use a skilled backup for Jaroslav Halak but I doubt they’ll go after a starter like Niemi.
Update on James Wisniewski.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Aaron Portzline reports Blue Jackets management has requested a list of ten teams from defenseman James Wisniewski he will not accept being dealt to back on Feb. 17. Wisniewski has provided the list, but said he loves being a Blue Jacket and hasn’t sought a trade.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wisniewski’s situation will be interesting to watch leading up to the trade deadline. He’s got two more years left on his contract at $5.5 million annually. While that’s a tad pricey, it’s only for a couple of years, which could make him valuable for clubs more than a playoff rental but not a player with too much contract term.
Latest rumblings from Pierre LeBrun.
ESPN.COM: Pierre LeBrun reports the trade market hasn’t been established yet for an NHL rental player at this year’s trade deadline. He wonders if it’ll cost a first-rounder and a prospect to land Carolina’s Andrej Sekera, or just a second rounder…New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello remains tightlipped over his trade deadline plans. Defenseman Marek Zidlicky has a full no-trade clause but as of yet management hasn’t contacted him about a trade…Dallas Stars winger Erik Cole may be joining Buffalo’s Chris Stewart and Columbus’ Cam Atkinson as possible trade targets for the Boston Bruins. The Blue Jackets seem reluctant to part with Atkinson…The New York Rangers are keeping an eye on Arizona Coyotes forward Antoine Vermette and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Andrej Sekera.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I expect Lamoriello will wait until deadline day before pulling the trigger on any deals…If the Blue Jackets trade Wisniewski it will free up cap space to re-sign Atkinson, which would explain in part why the Jackets aren’t rushing to move him.
Updates on Curtis Glencross and Paul Martin.
SPORTSNET: Scott Lewis cited Calgary Sun columnist Eric Francis considers Flames left winger Curtis Glencross is guaranteed to be dealt by the trade deadline. “The usual suspects are Boston, Pittsburgh, the teams that rent a winger every single year,” Francis said. “His wish list did include Chicago, Anaheim, L.A., and Tampa Bay.”
TRIBLIVE.COM: Jason Mackey reports the Pittsburgh Penguins intend to retain defenseman Paul Martin for the playoffs. Martin is an unrestricted free agent this summer, meaning the Penguins risk losing him for nothing to free agency in July.
Martin is useless..we need a D-man that is physical and tough in front of our net and in our end, if JR doesn’t find one we are going out in first round, maybe second
An article on Kessel after already getting over 160 comments?
Looking to set some kinda record Lyle? 😉
Ive said before if the Sharks dont make it or stumble early in the playoffs I could Kessel in SJ, especially if the Sharks could convince Thorton or Marleau to leave. Seems like a fit some good young players, playing with Couture and Pavelski, and capspace.
Thorton for Kessel. That is one that may work. Probably have to attach a draft pick going to TO but that may be doable.
As far as leadership goes Thorton would fit the bill in Leaf land. He is still able to produce at a very high level. A great role model for Bozak, Nylander and Kadri.
I would love to see Joe come to TO and get that Stanley cup certain people in Boston said he could never get.
Only issue will be how long can Joe keep his game at this level?
Will it be long enough?
So we go from a full rebuild to if you get how Thornton you are a cup contender?
I don’t see any fit for joe Thornton and the leafs. If anything were to happen it would be a similar deal as described in the article. Young players and picks. Not another Owen Nolan, Brian Leetch deal.
HA! o wait you were serious…. why in the world would we pick up thorton at the start of a rebuild
It’s because some in LeafsNation can’t shed that “all we need is a bit of tinkering” approach, usually by adding old crocks who were once dominant, to turn the team into a serious contender. Instead, they should be looking at the teams around them in the standings and realize there is not one among them that could become a contender with one addition. Besides, even if he meant as a part of a re-build, Thornton at age 35 would still have to be producing at age 40 in order for him to be part of a serious cup run in TO.
I have never been a proponent of stripping Toronto down to nothing.
Joe Thornton brings some big time Leadership to a club that has been lacking it for a long long time.
In regards to his age, he may not be that premiere center when TO is ready to be a contender but his major contribution will be him leading these youngsters to maturation.
Leadership and direction is very important in a rebuild. There would be few better choices as far as leadership goes.
Marleau would be the one to go – I don’t think Thornton would leave if he knew Kessel was on the way.
I still say that unless the return for kessel is fantastic the leafs should keep him, players with his numbers dont come by every day…. lupul as well as he is a great leader.
I wasn’t suggesting a Thornton or Marleau for Kessel deal simply suggesting that if one of them move out of SJ it makes it very easy for the Sharks salary wise. Kessel is 8 years younger and would fit in with the team, and with guys like Burns Pavelski Couture Vlasic there is a good leadership group there to insulate Phil….again he dosent have to be “the guy” in the much smaller media spot light.
I suggested Marleau because I believe the Leafs would want a player of his stature back as part of the deal. Tronna gave up alot to get kessel, the package going back to the Leafs would have to include someone like Marleau to make it work. Works salary-wise too.
Lyle, I don’t know why you think teams will be interested in Wisniewski, he’s just as injury prone as Lupul. You just said the other day teams will shy away from these types of players because they have too much term and money on their contracts.
It’s the leaf affect lol
Big difference between a winger and a defenseman. Supply and demand will dictate it.
I doubt it makes that much of a difference. 2 years left at 5.5 million for a guy who’s only played 200 games in the last 4 seasons? For 50 games a year, no thanks. It’s the same as Lupul in my books.
Lyle, do you think Detroit could be interested in Wisniewski? I believe they tried to sign him when he ended up in Columbus, and as a right hand shot, he’d fit what they’re after. Detroit and Columbus were trade partners last year too.
The Wings trade made last yr was David Legwand from Nashville- not with Columbus. Wisniewski’s comments aimed at the Red Wings on NHL Live recently–“for me, knowing Detroits history they don’t really pay market value for defenseman or any player. So I didn’t think it was going to be a fit for myself”. IF that’s his feelings on the Wings, I would think they would be one of his 10 teams that he won’t be traded to. Also, I don’t see the Wings really wanting someone who publicly is saying such things…
Yeah, you’re right, Nashville. Brain fart there. I hadn’t heard his comments about Detroit.
A right handed shot in Motown would certainly be welcomed!!!
Kessel to SJ works. Would love to see it happen for Hertl, Mueller, 2015 1st, and another prospect. If SJ needs to ad a salary dump of some kind then replace the “prospect”. With Bozak, Lupul, Winnik and Bernier, also attracting interest it could be a very interesting week for a change in Leaf land.
I am sure you would love to see that type of return for Kessel, but it won’t be close to that at all.
San Jose does not weant to move Mueller, and I doubt they trade their first in this years draft.
Still like Bernier getting shopped to OilLand. If Phil goes in a hockey trade also could be real interesting see the roster look.
Kessel to San Jose is intriguing
thats a no brainer for sj – kes and pav reunite
I think the leafs would a little better player/prosect
fair trade though
I think unless they can get a #1 C/D for Kessel, it’s better to keep him for a few years. If he continues to get 30 goals and contract term/salary lessens later then he’s worth more at a later date
Lets say Leafs get Strome/C at this draft & he works out in 2-3 years…
Reilly VanReimsdyk Strome Kessel N/A
would be better than no 1st line RW but couple 2nd tier players instead.
If you tank in those same years and pick up a stud D….then your off to the race in 3 years ala shanny’s plan
If you get 2nd tier players then its the same old leafs as the past 10 years…for the next 10 years
Wisniewski to the Pens for Martin and a prospect.
Leafs should move Bernier to Edmo if they can get Eberle back in the deal. Other parts would have to be involved from each team.
What will happen in Carolina with their Gs? Ward has been playing great. Do they move him and then resign Khubodin or do they move Khubodin knowing they wil not be able to res-ign him in the off season if ward is still there. I have a sneaky feeling the Blues are going to make a play for Ward sending Elliott and Berglund to Carolina.
EJH there would have to be a whole lot more moving parts in that deal from the leafs to get Eberle from Oilland maybe a Kadri and Polak plus draft choices (s) Bernier has not proved himself yet as a #1 goalie
where as Eberle is coveted by most GM’s
Totally agree. I was thinking something more like Bernier, Gardiner and Polak for Eberle and Petry, but yes, much more current value leaving the leafs than just Bernier.
I would see some merit in that trade but u would have to leave out petry and maybe add Korberer #55
Kessel, bernier, holzer and winnik to San Jose for mueller, hertl, neimi, Torres a first and a second?
Seems like a more Winnipeg/Buffalo deal but it works in terms of salary cap ( for this year at least). San Jose gets ally of depth and firepower for a cup run. The west just for a tad weaker with Kane being out.
As a Sens fan I couldn’t agree more. Look at us. Our idiot media ran Spezza out of town. Then bemoan the fact we suddenly don’t have a 1st line center who can run a power play off the wall and shelter Kyle Turris (who is clearly a 2nd line center)
Careful what you wish for Leaf nation. You paid him because HE IS AN AMAZING PLAYER.
exactly!
I agree – The Toronto media’s constant need to create stories where there aren’t any is so self defeating – It’s like some animal’s maternal instinct to eat their own young. If I was Shanny i’d lock the locker room doors – As a Leaf fan I want them to win – I don’t care what Kessel thinks – If he plays better being isolated from the media then that’s what I’d do. I don’t care how much he gets paid – he’s a hockey player – he gets paid to score goals not answer stupid interrogating questions from guys like Feschuck and Simmons. I watch the hockey games not the useless locker room sound bites. Until the media backs off the pressure will be intolerable – lock out the bums and let the players do their talking on the ice…
The Penguins are NOT going to make a deal for a $4M goalie, period.