Check out the fallout from yesterday’s NHL trade deadline. Find out which deals didn’t go down, including one between the Leafs and Wings for Dion Phaneuf.
Latest on the Leafs.
Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel could be traded this summer.
SPORTSNET: Mike Johnston and Nick Kypreos report one reason the Toronto Maple Leafs were unable to trade Dion Phaneuf to Detroit at the deadline was the Leafs’ asking price was too high. The Leafs wanted top prospect Anthony Mantha as part of the deal. There was also speculation the Wings wanted the Leafs to take center Stephen Weiss ($4.9 million per season) in the return.
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: James Mirtle reports teams were interested in Phaneuf but only if the Leafs picked up part of his salary. “There are questions around (Joffrey) Lupul’s health, Phaneuf’s defensive play, (Tyler) Bozak’s offensive game without (Phil) Kessel and Kessel’s tough season, writes Mirtle.
TORONTO SUN: Rob Longley expects expensive Leafs like Phaneuf and Kessel will be shopped in the offseason.
NATIONAL POST: Michael Traikos believes Leafs management will focus on moving Phaneuf, Kessel, Bozak and Lupul during the summer. He wonders if Detroit might revisit its interest in Phaneuf.
TORONTO STAR: Rosie DiManno reports interest from rival clubs in Phaneuf, Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Bernier has been plentiful for months. While Phaneuf likely won’t return with the Leafs next season, DiManno cites sources saying Phil Kessel probably will.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kessel’s critics in Leafs Nation will go batty if he returns with the Leafs next season. The fact the Leafs pushed hard to move Phaneuf suggets he is most likely to be aggressively shopped in the offseason. I think the Leafs have to pick up a chunk of his salary or take back a toxic contract to move him. Bozak should be easier to trade than Lupul, who has that injury history and $5.25 million per season contract. The Leafs can forget about Detroit revisiting interest in Phaneuf if they still insist on a top prospect in the deal. While the Leafs could consider trade options for Kadri and Bernier, I think they’ll try to re-sign them. Their upcoming contract negotiations will have an effect upon their trade status this summer.
Collection of rumors from the Ottawa Sun.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings couldn’t agree on a deal regarding Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf. It’s believed Wings defenseman Jakub Kindl would’ve been part of the deal but the Wings also apparently insisted the Leafs take on center Stephen Weiss as well. Phaneuf’s $7 million per season salary was the deal breaker…The St. Louis Blues will have to make a decision in the offseason regarding T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund, who were subjects of trade speculation throughout the season…”The Penguins, Bruins, Habs, Ducks and Flames all kicked tires on Zidlicky”, claims Garrioch…The Colorado Avalanche hope to re-sign Ryan O’Reilly this summer…The Dallas Stars tried to move pending UFA center Shawn Horcoff…Garrioch also reports the Ottawa Senators have some players they could move in the off-season. He lists Chris Neil, Chris Phillips, Patrick Wiercioch, Eric Gryba and David Legwand as possible trade candidates.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Blues don’t go deep in this year’s playoffs there could be a bit of a roster shakeup. I think they still need to address their goaltending. Perhaps Oshie gets dangled for one?…O’Reilly could cost over $7 million annually to re-sign…Of those available Senators, Neil probably has the most value. The Sens could be forced to pick up part of Wiercioch’s salary.
Updates on the Bruins.
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Fluto Shinzawa reports Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli didn’t enter the trade deadline in a position of strength, lacking cap space or available trade chips. The club’s acquisition of Brett Connolly could “expand the trade market to include Loui Eriksson”, who has a year left on his contract at $4.25 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins must re-sign Dougie Hamilton, Torey Krug and Reilly Smith. I expect they’ll shop Eriksson this summer to shed his cap hit.
Shocking Phaneuf and Kessel weren’t moved! (sarcasm intended). All the sports pundits talked about how unlikely the moves would be and lone behold no deal. I’m a leafs fan and asking for Mantha straight up for Phaneuf is a pipe dream, we’d maybe squeak out a first and 3rd plus a long shot prospect and some major salary coming back in most cases save for teams well under the cap although they’re mostly fringe playoff teams or high draft pick hopefuls.
Yeah, the only way I see Detroit moving Mantha is if the player coming back is someone like Oliver Ekman-Larrson whom you can build your defense around for a number of years. Phaneuf, while not a dumpster fire of a player, is saddled to a contract he will never live up to, and in the most demanding market possible.
Wow. I know that Mantha is considered a good prospect and I hope he lives up to the hype that people are making about him.
Stop trashing Kessel and Phaneuf. They are world class players and only Phaneuf is overpaid. Phaneuf is a good #2 or 3 dman. If Detroit will take Phaneuf Sheehan and a prospect (or draft choice)along with Weiss would be a good return? TO should take on all the bad contracts they can for the next 2 or 3 years to get prospects or draft choices then let prospects play junior and in the AHL until they are ready. A rebuild can be accelerated slightly if the prospects that come back were drafted a couple of years ago but that should not be the main goal. Patience is the key. A guy like Brown will be a good pro once his body is ready to compete with men. if he is not physically mature his body will break down and confidence will be destroyed.
Seriously? Mantha? If you’ve ever seen him play in Grand Rapids, Mantha is the real deal. A top 3 type of player. As a Wings fan I wouldn’t even be ok if the Wings traded Mantha for Kessel straight up. I get Kessel is a world class talent, but his contract sucks and he’s not a good fit for the Wings organization. The Wings run a tight ship with high expectations for their players. Kessel wouldn’t fly in Detroit. Niether would Phaneuf. He’s solid and tough, but defensively on any given night he can become a bottom pairing defenseman. I’m not a huge fan of Smith or Kindl in Detroit. They may be the only 2 I’d be ok with Phaneuf replacing, and most nights they’re in the bottom 2. Holland rarely makes bad moves, but moving any of Sheahan, Jurco, Miele, Pulkinen, Mantha, Sproul, Ouellette, or Marchenko for Phaneuf would have been crazy. The Wings need to stop worrying about their defense. It’s not that bad at the moment and they have 3 really strong defensive prospects a year or 2 away in the system that are most likely going to push Smith, Kindl and/or Quincey out. Adding an albatross like Phaneuf would be a waste of money they’re going to need to sign a lot of these young guys so they don’t walk before this team (somewhat surprisingly) has what it takes to make a couple of decent cup runs again.
The Zidlicky trade was decent. I would have preferred Petry because he’s a good defensive defense-men but Zids will be a good rental. Cole will be interesting. The Wings needed some grit and he’ll provide that. He’s not a Shanahan level upgrade, but he’ll do for now. My fear is these moves remind me of the year they brought in Wendal Clark and Ulf Samuelson at the deadline and ended up getting bounced early in the playoffs.
All-in-all a fairly boring trade deadline sprinkled with shicks and surprises! Nobody saw Yandle getting moved to NYR or ANA over-hauling 1/2 their D. Stewart to MIN was also a surprise!I do not see the Leafs movinf Kessel or Kadri. And will only move Bozak for an overpayment by another team which is unlikely to happen in the summer as free agency and other higher profile players will be viable options for teams. Dion may not even be gone, if he is going to stay the Leafs will need to sign or trade for a big-time D to play with Phaneuf or replace him as the #1 D and captain of the team. Lupul I believe will also stay with the team as the reason why the Leafs want to move him is the same reason other teams don’t want to touch him. I expect to see Santorelli and Winnik back in Leaf uniforms this summer too.
Sorry Leaf fans. I just do not see a total re-build on the horizon. Nonis did well to get what he got in picks. But he is likely the biggest name to get moved this coming off-season. The team on paper is better than how it performed this year. MLSE is waiting for Babcock to arrive on the scene and be the saviour. I just wonder if they would fire him after 2 years if things don’t go well the way they have with the last handful of coaches. 🙁
Though I still do think a helpful deal for both clubs is possible between EDM and TOR involving Reimer, Phaneuf, Kadri and Eberle, Dreiseitl and Schultz.
Edmonton fans will hate that trade proposal. Personally Kadri has Alexander Steen written all over him, moving him anywhere would be a big mistake imo.
Any chance of a super-cautious MacTavish suddenly working out a deal of that magnitude and for that kind of money (even assuming Phaneuf would GO there in the first place) has about as much chance of Kessel suddenly becoming an aggressive two-way F with a mean streak. It just isn’t going to happen.
Oilers are looking for a #1 goalie not another back up. Edmonton is the worst possible destination for Phaneuf. He’s a good player but it’ll never happen here. Phaneuf needs a team where he isnt expected to be a saviour and do all the heavy lifting, PLUS he’d never want to play in another fish bowl after the abuse he’s taken in Toronto. Edmonton has enough small forwards and with Nugent-Hopkins, Draisaitl, Derek Roy and Anton Lander at center why would they want to add Kadri ? I can’t see any of those Leafs on the Oilers wish list. Chicago’s Antti Raanta is the goalie Edmonton should try to land in a package deal with an established center for some picks and/or prospects. The Hawks are cash strapped and will need to dump salary. One of Marcus Kruger, Teuvo Teravainen or Andrew Desjardins with Raanta for Edmonton’s 1st round pick (from Pittsburgh) with a 2nd (from MTL) and a prospect like Marincin might work.
You still think Babcock is going to Toronto?
I think Toronto will be able to move all those players in the summer. There will be plenty of teams looking to take on salary and plenty of teams looking for a star player like Kessel. Three team deals will appear keeping Kessel in the east if needed as Toronto would likely prefer to move him west. There is so many options and things that can happen during a. Lengthy summer, teams can acquire players and go 20 million over the cap and take the time to become cap compliant.
Sorry, with the dwindling Canadian $ and uncertainty about the cap levels there are not “plenty of teams looking to take on salary and plenty of teams looking for a star player like Kessel.” We can argue this till Hell gets a franchise and all it will do is fill up space here. Let’s just say I will be THE most surprised armchair GM if any among Kessel, Phaneuf, Lupul and Gardiner are not on the Leafs roster come next training camp.
Well the Canadian dollar is sitting at .80 to the american and before the turn of the calender year I stated that most economist were claiming that that is where it will likely plateau. However It along with the Euro are still doing poorly and most seem to think at this point it will continue to rise. Yet to think the dollar will not rise and settle around .80 is still stretching it a bit. It looks to me like it will be jumping back and forth for a bit yet and it still remains to be seen how low it will drop. I am not betting against a rise. All we need is another oil crisis to boost it again and that seems to come all to often these years.
It is an interesting number to use along with the falling Canadian dollar prices of other oil related products fall such as gasoline. With that added savings in the average Canadian home perhaps it will go towards the game and increase ticket sales and be a boon to the team added to that the cheaper transportation cost and other areas the team needs to spend money.
Also claiming the Canadian Dollar is falling as a reason why 23 American teams can’t take on Lupul, Phaneuf, kessel and Gardiner seems silly. While Toronto will likely weather the storm riding a boat made of money allowing them to retain these players I see very little so far preventing another team picking them up despite the falling dollar.
Yet if the Dollar does fall to the low .70s or even to the 60s then yes we are going to have some issues.
if the dollar drops then the revenues drop and the cap doesn’t increase.
leafs should spend to the cap taking bad contracts for a couple of years. That way they field a team and get teams to throw picks and prospects at them to take the contracts while Leaf prospects develop in junior and the AHL.
They could even take on some more contracts like the Horton one if they could find them. Some of the poorer teams will just want to get rid of surplus contracts.
Leafs need to bring in players that will be NHL ready in 3-4 years plus keep some veterans that are good role models. Pollack and Komarov are good examples of that.
Deciding on a goaltender and then bringing a veteran backup in to mentor the young starter whether it is one of the current guys or someone else is the way to go.
Kessell should get three good pieces such as 1st and 2nd choices or prospects like that. For example from the Islanders Strome, Sundstrom and Dal Colle. From SJ it would be Hertl, Mueller and Doherty or Tierney.
For Phaneuf you are looking at two pieces such as Ritchie and Theodore from the Ducks or Faksa and Richie or Dickinson from Dallas.
Extra 3rd or 4th picks would be added if a bad contract comes with these trades.
keep dreaming tugboat!!
Once the dreams stop in LeafsNation THAT’S when they hit rock bottom.
Babcock is not going to sign in Toronto.
I agree. Babcock will stay in Detroit. Toronto may have had a shot earlier this year, but they shot themselves in the foot this year by becoming such a sess pool. Detroit’s owners and management will give Babcock what he wants not just because he’s a good coach but because as a person he matches the philosophy of the franchise. Shanahan is new to management, the team obviously doesn’t have a philosophy or a solid plan besides ‘clean slate’. Which so far isn’t going well. At the deadline they pulled in very little for a team “rebuilding.” Tampa Bay, Montreal and Philly all pulled in more picks and prospects while still improving their teams and 2 of those teams are the best 2 in the east not really in “rebuild” mode. Why would Babcock go to Toronto of all places? I’d say just about any other team in the league has a better shot of landing Babcock over Toronto.
I’m just sad that the letter I forged from Tanner Glass Daughter didn’t make it to the 29 teams I sent it to. Maybe next year?
Bahahaha….
LMAO!
The letters that all of the Blackhawk wives wrote to keep Patrick Sharp around seem to have worked though…
What does this mean?
Thinking people are a little to amped up about moving guys, everyone with half a brain in their head, had to realize it was a longshot at best to move contracts like those at the deadline. Depending on the draft, 1 of Phaneuf or Kessel will atleast be a Leaf next year unless the Leafs get exactly what they want. If the Leafs by chance get lucky and win the lottery ,I am not so sure Id move Kessel, and if they end up in a position to pick up Hanifin I am not so sure there is as much pressure to move Phaneuf. I agree both wont be Leafs next year but, if you get a generational center may be a decent idea to keep the winger, or if you get a guy who has the ceiling of a Hanifin along with how Rielly is developing it may not be a horrible idea to keep Phaneuf… The thing that I keep coming back to is they now have a bit of caproom if they need it dont be giving guys away just to prove you could move them, for once Nonis was right only make a deal if you are getting something out of it,
In Nonis’ press conference he gave the fans a glimpse of how difficult to move some of the contracts this year. Part of the issue is financial implications from an 80 cent dollar and the other part is the horrible season for these players.
Nonis mentioned some moves could be a year plus.
I must not have been watching the same press confrence…lol
Here is the transcript from 1:30 to 3 mins. Nonis mentions a year twice in these 2 questions regarding trades.
Were there deals discussed today that could be revisited in the summer?
I think maybe a little bit in certain situations. You get a glimpse into what other teams are thinking in terms of their own situations and what they may be looking at going forward. I think that a lot of deals that do get done over time, the genesis of those deals isn’t necessarily a week away, it may have been a year prior or six months prior. There may be more opportunity for us going forward based on some of the discussions we’ve had over the past couple of weeks. That remains to be seen. We’ll see how that plays out.
Were there inquiries on some of the team’s bigger contracts?
I’m not going to get into individual people. Our position hasn’t changed. We’re looking to build this team into a contender and we’ll make deals with our current players based on accomplishing that goal. Today there weren’t deals that were there for any of our players that made sense in terms of moving this organization forward so we didn’t do anything. That could change come the summer and that could be something that’s worked on in the next year.
How does the exchange rate affect a trade? Canadian teams pay in USD and exchange rate is part of doing business. trading a player from Canada to the States there is no issue ata ll. It affects the cap for next year as there is a lot of revenue generated in Canada, but impacting a specific trade?
TML it is affecting where the salary cap will be next year. The number being mentioned is 69 mill. That does not affect TO now that Clarkson has been dealt.
That said teams like Chicago, LA, NYR, Boston and so forth are going to be moving out some high priced talent.
Thus the mentions of Lucic, Eriksson, Sharp and others.
All but 8 teams are within 3 M of that 69 M figure. The 69M is actually a reduced cap because the NHLPA has stated that the 5% option they retain will not be used next year as it causes issues with players salaries held in escrow.
Sorry, from your first post I thought you were saying somehow an $0.80 CDN dollar impacted specific trades. The cap is the cap, moving big contracts during the season is always tough.
I am mot seeing anything in your transcipt tjatentions a Canadian dollar and yes he daid ot could take time toale a deal never mentioned how long and aknowleged it could ne over the summer..so how does any of that translate at all in to what you said Nonis
said
Shticky I never said Nonis mentioned anything in that regard. It was conjecture on my part that these are factors affecting the ability to move some of the larger contracts.
Nonis mentioning a longer timetable points to the above said issues being a huge factor in his ability to move that group of players.
Finances are so tight that there was a trade yesterday that required 50k of salary to be retained for the trade to go through.
Ah conjecture…you do alot of that.NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said during the second intermission of Tuesday night’s Boston Bruins-Vancouver Canucks game at TD Garden that the Canadian dollar would not cause next season’s cap to “fall off a cliff.” “You know, the estimate so we can run through this, the estimate I gave the board in December — assuming the 5 percent inflator in the collective bargaining agreement, and that was when the Canadian dollar was 88 cents — was 73 million,” Bettman said. “If the Canadian dollar is at 80 cents for the rest of the season, I think it’s somewhere in the high 71’s, 72’s”
Now the chances of a union not lifting the cap to get raises for the majority of its members are not likely to be great. Not using the inflstor hrlps a few big ticket guys that already have deals the Toews Kanes Subbans of the world but it will also put alot of guys out of work and cost others money by limiting ehst they are going to get in contracts…the NHLPA have complained about escrow in the past, its what they do.
Finnaly Rus what are you paying for gas this week compared to 2 weeks ago? Notice anything? Oil which fuels the canadian dollar to a large extent was not going tostay st 40 bucks a barrel long, in Jan the dollar was 88 cents today its 80 and again rising the cap projection is a number that is based over a large period of time. It wont be based on an 80cent dollar as really the Canadian dollars avg over the season will be quite above 80 cents… the cap will be above 69 mill, and in the next year or 2 will resume to climb at a much more normal rate with the addition of another team more out door games and the world cup. I think you conjecture to much about how the NHL is hurting.
the cap doesn’t mean anything the leafs aren’t getting what the fans think they will for those 2 players
Well Toronto has plenty of time to work on their PR, if they can get the media on their side they will guide the sheep to fall in with the Leafs plan. However at this point the need to trade both Phaneuf and Kessel. There has been many reference to how the leadership of this team fails, the core fails, each season has them collapsing into massive losses. That was the rational I picked up as to why they want to rebuild. I always stated I did not think they needed to rebuild but that is what they decided to do or at least that is he impression they have given me and over the last few weeks all you guys.
Phaneuf is a good D, the leafs will Beatle to move him. Most think the leafs will need to retain salary. I can’t dispute that but I am confident they can take back a bad contract with less term and make it work, yet if they want the best return they will have to retain salary, Kessel is a no brainer he will go to someone and he will bring a. Good return, Nonis said the most I portant phrase regarding this rebuild, “there is a difference between wanting to trade someone and willing to.” He will maintain high the value of his players if he keeps that up and resist admitting an all out fire sale,
Dang it how do I turn off auto correct. I’d rather the spelling errors than completely different words. “P
Does’t matter you are hard to understand at the best of times :-p.
The reason they even entertained holding salary for Phaneuf was to increase the return. Come the summer teams will know exactly how much they have to spend, which contracts they want to shed and then the deal will be alot easier to make.
The Leafs have to move Phaneuf to change the culture and attitude of their team.
Add in the fact there isnt a McDavid in next years draft and teams will be willing to move 1st round picks.
Kessel and Lupul will be the hard sells.
Haha. I will have to work on that. I honestly don’t think kessel will be a hard sell beyond his limited movement clause.
Kessel will be because of the return expected. Teams will treat TO like they are treating Edmonton when it comes to trading him. I agree they could give him away no problem.
Lupul’s injury history just kills his trade value.
Agree pretty much Shticky
IMO no need to even sign bigger FA’s. Let players compete from within while rebuilding as Calgary has done. Leafs have lots of talent n its not all doom n gloom. Patience n don’t worry
I am forced to wonder why the Leafs and Bruins did not do a Lupul for Savard trade, based on the Clarkson deal and the SOLID trade history BOS has with TOR.
Because Boston isn’t worried about spending money on a player not playing like the Blue Jackets. Plus they already get the LTIR relief for Savard. Picking up Lupul would have put them over the cap with some guys of their own they have to re-sign.
Also I am guessing that Savards contract was insured,
I for one was surprised that Detroit was that interested in Phaneuf. I thought he had a decent chance to be moved, I just thought Anaheim and Dallas made more sense. Lupul needs at least one full season injury free (good luck) to be more highly sought by other teams. I am confident the Leafs will draft better, but fans will have to be patient, 3-5 years. I would welcome Babcock as the Coach, and could see why the ultimate challenge would appeal to him, but ultimately it will be the drafting, development, composition of the team and the quality of the players that dictate the leafs success more than a great coach. I predict Nonis stays, and if babcock does not become the Leafs coach, it will be Peter DeBoer.
Holland is a very good judge of talent level and is known for buying low and selling high in regards to trades.
Any team would trade for Phaneuf talent wise as it would improve almost any D-core but his contract causes cap issues and most teams would either want Salary retained by the Leafs or a bad contract going back to the Leafs.
Problem is when a bad contract is going back what is the remaining value. Detroit obviously thought Manta was way to high of a price.
Wiess has 3 years left at a cap hit of 4.9. If they got the leafs to hold 1.5 mill then they are basically getting Phaneuf for $600,000 for 3 years (Since they are spending Wiess money anyway).
I have a hard time believe it was Mantha only, I figure the leafs wanted a first rounder too and tried to sell Phaneuf as a #1 guy with multiple good years left.
Agreed there was m8re of a stumbling block than Mantha, could be a first or Holland wanting a ridiculous ammount of money held…either way Im not shedding any tears about that deal not getting done. the summer was the best ti e to try and move these guys for a good return weather its by holding less money or better return in the form of players coming back, it was wise to be patient, instead of rushed in to a mistake.
I get the I pression Ottawa this summer is going to go hard for a top line Center or winger, from what’s available I think they will be talking to Marleau, sharp, Staal and Thronton yet I would be surprised if any of those players accept a move to Ottawa.
Why would Ottawa look to add a mid 30s center’s with a huge cap hit?
Thronton and Marleau are both 34 and Sharps is 32.
I could maybe see Eric or Jordan Staal but those two havent really panned out in Carolina.
Eric is 29 with one year remaining and Jordan is 25 with something like 8 years left.
Turris and Jordan Staal could be a nice 1 – 2 punch down the middle for them.
Simply because they are top line players to add as fill ins while they find away to draft a young guy. There isn’t much to choose from out there. If you can find me a 26 year old top line player that Ottawa can trade for than sure.
I did kinda … Jordan Staal?? who would be the only plausible one out of the players you listed.
Makes no sense to take Thornton or Marleau at their age and cap hit.
yes I can understand the argument placed against picking up aging players. I am not saying I agree with them picking up Thornton. What I am saying is that Brian Murray is talking a lot about picking up a top line player.
I know they kicked the can with Marleau in the past he nixed the move Ottawa himself according to the rumour mills. I do think Joe is to old, depends on the asking price. Jordan Staal is not a top line player. I listed Eric Staal.
Ottawa is full of young players adding some older guys isn’t so far fetched. Specially if it can sell tickets being a small market team.
I just get the feeling they will be going after a top line player, with Bobby Ryan already signed you’d think that be a LW or Centre. I am simply listing the ones in the rumour mills right now.
If what I say comes to be true who else do you think will be available. If what I am saying does not prove true. Ignore that fact and try and tell me another top line player. Jordan Staal is not an appropriate answer. Or perhaps I am wrong but I think he is a quality two way centre. A #2 guy.
Maybe Spezza is available …. I joke I joke
I think they are going to have to turn a #2 center to a #1 ala Jordan Staal.
Eric Staal might fit but his numbers are almost Vinny like.
There are to many teams that need that true number 1 center.
Would you consider Kelser and #1? Maybe if the ducks tank early he is available.
I’m frustrated with PC, not because of the lack of movement the bruins made yesterday. The Connolly deal is a small upgrade and a player they control. I’m frustrated because for the second time this season we lost a young asset for nothing. First we put Fraser on waivers (came from the Seguin trade) and Edmonton claims him. The day before the deadline PC but Cunningham on waivers in a move to free up cap space in case of a bigger deal. Phoenix jump in and says thanks we’ll take the young nhl player on our team. Two young players gone for nothing. Then we trade Caron another young asset for Talbot on the wrong side of 30, who is debatable if an up grade over Caron. The big move that Cunningham was put on waivers for, it never happened. Good job PC; you brought in Connolly, Talbot and 2 second draft picks; you shipped out Boychuk, Frazer, Cunningham, Caron and 2 second round draft picks. Good luck in the off season your going to need it but then again handing out the contracts the way you do, it’s your mess to clean up.
On the flip side MB in Montreal for 2 season will able to add depth and address area of weakness without giving up much in return. I don’t like the habs but got to give credit where credit is due. good job by MB.
I like what Pete did at the deadline. Talbot is going to be a real asset in the post season if they make it. Love the Connelly deal!
As far as Cunningham goes, who really cares… In all honesty he wasn’t very good, he could skate fast and was a good energy guy, but he didn’t create much. The loss of Fraser was a bit shocking to me, his upside is a little more and could have maybe gotten something better. But really, what do they get for him a 4th rounder at best? Caron wasn’t progressing and a slightly better version of Cunningham, didn’t do much of anything on the ice.
Mark B, you say who really cares about Cunningham, Phoenix cares that’s why they took him. Boston doesn’t need a slow forward like Talbot. Anytime you give an asset away for nothing you lose. In case you don’t think a 5th or 6th round draft pick is worth anything, remember this Zack Trotman was the last player chosen in his draft year. You never know when a player made develop. As I said PC has but this team behind with his player friendly deals and loaded with ntc etc.
Really? The NHL network names the #1 star Jordyn Leopold? Seriously. As if the whole NHL all star draft / game, 14 hours of VERY boring deadline coverage wasn’t embarrassing enough? Aye aye aye! SMH!
Can anyone explain to me why Ryan O’Reilly is worth over $7 million per? He has 36 pts in 63 games, 122 shots on goal, 31hits (soft as butter), wins 52.6 % of faceoffs, and has 57 more take aways than give aways. The last 2 stats are impressive but he doesn’t seem to be a game changer which is what I expect for $7 million a year.
Bozak is paid $4.5 million per and many commenters feel he’s overpaid yet his stats are similar to O’Reilly’s. Bozak has 39 pts in 63 games, 121 shots on goal, 63 hits (soft as butter that has been in the fridge for an hour), wins 51.2% of faceoffs and has 36 more take aways than give aways. Yes, Bozak plays with a gifted winger but even when they’re having an off year, his stats are right up there with O’Reilly’s.
At $7 million per year, O’Reilly would probably be the highest paid player on most teams which would lead one to believe he would be the best player on the team, yet his game isn’t that good. Paying this guy the money that is being discussed is going to have a huge impact on future salary arbitrations and the salary structure on whatever team he plays on.
I’m not saying he’s “worth” $7 million in terms of performance. I’m saying he’ll earn $7 million per season because in 2016 he’s an unrestricted free agent. He’s already making $6 million annually. The Avs hope to re-sign him this summer by using the decline in his offensive numbers this season as leverage for something like $6.5 million per on a four-year deal. Wouldn’t surprise me if the O’Reilly camp opts to play out next season in hopes a bounce-back in his numbers increases his value. Then, if the Avs won’t pay $7 million per on a long-term deal, somebody else will via free agency.
You can thank Jay Feaster who signed him to a ridiculous offer sheet that almost cost Calgary dearly (ROR would have had to clear waivers with the Flames giving up I think 1st,2nd and a 3rd in the year they drafted Monahan).
The Avs matched and this is why he is getting paid what he is now.
Reason number 989 why I am happy they fired Feaster !
ROR n stats r not how to value him. That said who can n will pay $7m/yr? Only a non playoff team with cap space IMO. Calgary has the dough but where does ROR like to sign?
Calgary shouldn’t pay this guy $7mill a year no one should.
Everyone is basing his next contract off the contract he is on now which was an inflated offer sheet when the flames were trying to steal him.
I am willing to bet we see a series of 1 year contracts from this guy as he chases the impossible dream of getting $7mill a year when your career high is 64 points and you cant take over games like say Kane,Toews,Crosby and so on can. Unless you are a defensemen.
*Should say from an inflated offer sheet then a career year of 64 points.
Never underestimate the power of auction fever on NHL GMs during the opening day of free agency. O’Reilly will get his money.
… just as Vermette will get his – and he’s not “worth” $6 mil either.
Arizona adding Duclair to play with Domi was a good catch plus a solid crop of picks to boot. That is how you rebuild.
I realize the Pens have a good group of young d-men but I was surprised to see both Despres and Bortuzzo dealt.
Well the TDL has come n gone. Months of repeated Leaf columns from same old idiots. Now we all can expect more of the same old same from bloggers. Let me speak for non Leaf fans no offence intended.
Babcock is no idiot n will not coach in Toronto.
The day empty seats at the ACC is normal is the day management gets the message like any other pro team.
Ok said my 2 bits….
Carry on regurgitating Leaf talk
Not sure I fully understand why the Leafs have to trade Kadri. He may bot be a true #1 center but he can certainly be a #2. He reminds me of Mike Ribeiro. He’s only 24 and could be part of the rebuild. The Leafs will need some offense during the rebuild. He could be that and in a couple years, test the market for his services. As a Habs fan I really hope Shanahan can clean up the Leafs so a true rivalry can begin again. Leafs fans deserve better than what they got the last few years, hopefully this rebuild is quick
I doubt they trade Kadri, Hunter and Spott rave about him both had him in junior, and with the analytics guys seeming to habe a bit larger say in how things are done, unless Kadris demands are ridiculous he will be a Leaf a while…actually a perfect guy for the market, he doesnt really get to phased by criticism. God knows hes heard enough of it with Wilson Eakins and Carlyle, and really responded pretty well.
Everything I’ve heard from the various “experts” and considering the ever annual dwindling pool of UFAs, unless the Leafs start sending out offer sheets to contract-reluctant RFAs on other teams, they are looking at 5 years.
It could very well not work as proven by many other teams, but I am not sure that if it does work, that it may not take less than 5 to have a pretty competitive team, its not like their is nothing to build with JVR,Kadri Rielly Nylader Bernier, not exactly old plus a good pick this year who may be ready to jump in if they finnish bad enough, some young depth rypes in Brown Levio Liepsic Percy tho not being “blue chip” are still pretty good pieces.
If the management proves to be competent in signing or trading to fill some roles it could be a little less painful…who knows
Leafs will take as long as it takes to get the D corp strong.
Right now drafting to fill the cupboard n getting this/next years roster playing hard every night. IMO keeping Phaneuf n getting him support to go with Polak Reilly n Gardiner is the big challenge. 1 top nut D man n the rebuild is fast trakking.
Leafs forwards leave a lot to be desired playin 2-ways.
Lack of discipline n commitment but easily corrected..firm coach like Carlyle like him or not he had it right n the players did not play right. This shakeup will be good n i expect a 180 attitude change next year.
I heard rumors that Toronto and the Islanders have discussed Kessel.
Kessel for Brock Nelson, Griffin Reinhart, 2nd and 5th round picks 2015 draft.
Sounds fair to me. Thoughts??
Also Phaneuf and Peter Holland to the Red Wings for Stephen Weiss and a 2015 1st round pick.
Sounds good that could be a definite cup push, Would like either player to put on a hawks jeresy.
Don’t really know the numbers exact but i would love to see Kessel or Phaneuf in a Hawks jersey. Would Bickell, Sharp, and Rannta land one of them
It was touched on earlier about an early exit by the Blues would lead to a roster shake up, it will more likely be a kick in the butt out the door to the Armstrong-Hitchcock regime. Tom Stillman cannot afford to lose anymore money with this team, Either a Rick Dudley GM combo with Scott Mellanby Coaching the Blues or Stillman hands total control of the team to Mike Babcock, which he would love to run his own show!!!