More lists of possible trade candidates, including destinations and my take.
More lists of potential trade candidates.
Note: My comments are in italics.
SPORTSNET: Mark Spector speculates the St. Louis Blues could use T.J. Oshie and perhaps Patrik Berglund as bait for a “big-time centerman.”
St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie could be a hot commodity in this summer’s trade market.
First off, I’m not Mark Spector and we’re not related, though we do enjoy riffing on how folks mistake us for each other online. Anyway, as to Oshie and Berglund, I doubt they’ll attract that center, but they’re likely in play as Blues GM Doug Armstrong could shake things up this summer.
The Vancouver Canucks seek a second-round pick for Eddie Lack.
He predicts Toronto Maple Leafs winger Phil Kessel could get dealt to a US-based club like Arizona or Florida.
Only if he agrees to be dealt to either club.
Spector suggests the Pittsburgh Penguins offer up center Brandon Sutter to the Calgary Flames for Jiri Hudler and a second-round pick. Both players are pending UFAs next summer.
I don’t believe the Flames are interested in moving Hudler. Yes, he’s a UFA next summer and he’s in his early-30s, but he had tremendous chemistry with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau.
He also suggests the Vancouver Canucks offer up Kevin Bieksa and Zack Kassian to the New York Islanders for right wing Kyle Okposo.
No. Just no. Garth Snow isn’t Mike Milbury.
Spector believes it’s between the Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres as to where NY Rangers backup Cam Talbot ends up.
He predicts the Florida Panthers will get either Patrick Sharp or Bryan Bickell from Chicago. He also suggests Bickell might be a good addition for the Montreal Canadiens.
Agreed regarding either Sharp or Bickell to the Panthers. Bickell the the player to address the Canadiens’ need for an impact scorer. He brings size and a big contract, but he’s very inconsistent as a scorer and prone to undisciplined penalties.
Spector suggests Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Nicklas Grossmann as a possible fit in Toronto or Edmonton.
He’s got a modified NTC and might not be keen to join a rebuilding club.
The Ottawa Senators won’t get an impact player for Robin Lehner or Craig Anderson.
Agreed.
Spector has a hunch Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner might interest Nashville Predators GM David Poile.
That could depend on how much it costs to re-sign Mike Fisher, Mike Ribeiro, Colin Wilson and Craig Smith.
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Stephen Whyno suggests possible destinations for several notable NHL trade candidates. He suggests Washington or Buffalo for Chicago’s Patrick Sharp, San Jose or Edmonton for Ottawa’s Robin Lehner, Calgary or Montreal for Chicago’s Bryan Bickell, Florida or the NY Islanders for Toronto’s Phil Kessel, Philadelphia or Dallas for Vancouver’s Eddie Lack, New Jersey or Nashville for Montreal’s PA Parenteau, Edmonton or Buffalo for Philadelphia’s Nicklas Grossmann, Nashville or Carolina for Toronto’s Tyler Bozak, Edmonton or Buffalo for NY Rangers’ Cam Talbot, and Washington or the Islanders for St. Louis’ T.J. Oshie.
Washington could be a fit for Sharp, but I doubt he’ll waive his partial NTC for Buffalo. Concur with Whyno’s take on Lehner, Lack, Talbot and Oshie. Bickell might interest Calgary or Montreal but I believe they should avoid him for the reasons noted above. Can’t see many teams having much interest in Parenteau. See my comment above regarding Grossmann (modified NTC). The Predators are loaded with centers so I don’t think Bozak’s a fit there. I doubt he waives his partial NTC for Carolina. The Islanders and Panthers weren’t on Kessel’s list of preferred trade destinations for this season. Unless he changes or widens his list for next season, they’re out of the running.
So I brought this up in the evening comments, but it was probably too late to get any real conversation on. Arizona has said that the third overall pick is in play…so what or more specifically, who is worth the number 3 pick this summer? If the LEAFS wanted to get that pick, would they be able to put a package together for it? Kessel, Bozak, Nylander and the #24 pick? Despite the general “hate on” many people have on this site for Kessel, whats the actual value of a player with his stats over the past 5 seasons? If he had accumulated those points playing for LA or NYR would he be worth the number 3 pick? Lyle…would you care to chime in on this? I think you have a slightly less biased opinion than 90% of the replies I’m about to get for my question.
Kessel is worth more than the the third pick. The third pick is not worth nylander, Kessel, bozak and the 24th.
I can see Kessel and bozak go to Arizona, along with a prospect for gagner and their two firsts. I do feel a deal can be made somewhere between our proposals but if that’s the asking price for the third pick, I’d laugh and hang up the phone.
Kessel could play on my team anytime, especially if I can acquire him at any form of discount. I have concerns about some of his warts & 7 more years at 8 million per but in the last 5 years Kessel is 8th overall for points & tied for 5th in goals. He’s accomplished that playing with a #2 C in Bozak, playing on a terrible team & still made the top 10 in points & top 5 in goals after a disastrous turn of events after Carlyle was fired.
What Kessel has you can’t teach & his piers may be better defensively, have better leadership skills, more heart, what have you but I can find players easily that bring those skills to a team. Acquiring what Kessel has, the ability to score goals & put up points is an exceptionally rare commodity. Surely his #’s over the last 5 years with no end in sight & if he ever got to play with a better C & or team he might be able to score 40 goals & 90 points.
I don’t see Arizona as a good fit as they are going young with their rebuild & although Kessel could fade into the back ground in the desert I’m not sure I want Kessel as their role model & they don’t even have a Bozak currently no slight to Hanzal, Gagner or Arcobello.
I see several great fits for Kessel. Anaheim, Carolina, Calgary, Florida, Nashville, NJ,& NYI. All could afford the cap hit. My only concern is the term. I would like Kessel at slightly less money over the last 3 to 4 years of the term so if Toronto would eat 4 to 5 million in total or take back a toxic contract I would make an offer. I would give up a 1st not a top 10 pick, a solid prospect but not a stud prospect. By Stud I mean not a Bennett, Lindholm, Huberdeau, Bjugstad, Strome, Kuznetsov type player but the next rung below. & a top 6 forward. Think solid 50 point guy in his mid to late 20’s with no more upside. If not a top 6 forward then 2 prospects or some combination there of.
A few examples.
Florida. Trocheck, McCoshen, Boyes, the 11th overall for Kessel, Pittsburgh’s 2nd in 2016; acquired in the Winnik trade, & Toronto eats 4 million, a million per over 4 seasons.
Anaheim. Etem, Kerdiles, Helgesen & Anaheims 1st 27 overall for Kessel, some warm minor league bodies to help balance out the 50 NHL contract limit & Toronto eats 4 million.
I could go on by team but just trying to give a value example.
I have said all along Dallas is a good fit for Kessel. It would be a good fit for Phaneuf as well. Either one.
I have also said there is no way Toronto needs to withhold salary at all unless they are absolutely blown away by a deal, and I cannot see that happening.
The Islanders are the other team where Kessel is a good fit. Kessel and JT in a new building could mean lots of goals.
All the other teams listed may work out as well but again no way does Toronto hold salary.
Garth Snow won’t be interested in Kessel, except steeply discounted and with Toronto keeping a bunch of money. Before I’d spend $8 million per season on Kessel, I’d just rather hang on to Kyle Okposo who’s a more complete player and cheaper.
I think he just might. Okposo isnt that much more of a complete player considering he was a minus on a good team last year. Kessel has the potential to score 50 and Okposo has had his chance and hasn’t been exceptional.
Not saying KO is a bad player, just if you get a chance to get a Kessel you really should think about it.
Again no way does Toronto sell him off at a discount.
Ok, Kessel is astronomically better than Okposo. Stop being silly.
I hope the rumour of ARZ making an offer for Kessel is in fact close to the truth. If so lets hope the Leafs brass can convince Kessel to accept.
A suggested deal:
ARZ gets: KESSEL, BOZAK & 24th pick
TML gets: 3rd pick, DOMI
I believe the leafs would want a little more than that.
As a Leafs fan I would love that deal but I’m not sure bozak and the 24th is going to fetch Domi. The 3rd for Kessel seems fair and I would even be willing to include Bozak for a third round pick.
Kessel for the 3rd straight up. The Coyotes need to show their fans they are committed to trying to win and stay in AZ. They can’t afford to wait 3-4 years for Strome or Hanifin to become a star because three more years of losing the team will be in Las Vegas by then.
With a floundering franchise like the Yotes I think it’s highly unlikely interested in bringing in that type of package with that amount of money. You’d probably have to do something like your second 1st, Nylander and Kadri. That’s about the lowest you’ll get IMO.
Spector must be into the kool-aid George likes so much. Why would Calgary move Hudler & a 2nd for Sutter. Even if Pittsburgh included the 2nd I wouldn’t move Hudler for that. What a odd suggestion. Calgary has to many C’s now to the point that several are being forced to play the wing including young up & coming superstar, Bennett.
Suggestions like this call into question the prognosticators knowledge & ability to evaluate assets & provide sound insight into the NHL. This proposal makes no sense what so ever. I’m shocked & bewildered by such a suggestion.
lol …..shocked?….really Striker? You know where you are and what time of year it is right? With some of the prognosticators comments on here (like every otherday) how does this happen? Especially to one of the more realistic people here.
I’m not shocked by what I read on chat groups more baffled on most occasions, Ha-ha! But Mark Spector is supposed to be reputable.
Many of you here have sound opinions & make strong arguments That make sense & I enjoy reading, some not so much. Ha-ha!
I’m sure even some of my ideas make people shake their head in disgust, bewilderment, what have you. It always shocks me that opinions on players can swing so wildly from 1 person to another.
It’s all #’s for me based on historical trends of all players in relationship to age, ice time; quantity, quality of ice time; power play, #1 or 2 lines, standard growth curves & percentages. There are always exceptions to the rule but the vast majority of players follow standard development curves & if they dominated at other levels then the odds support doing so at the NHL as well again not always.
But Brandon Sutter for Hudler & a 2nd. It makes no sense to me & makes me shake my head in bewilderment. Ha-ha!
While I wouldn’t blame Calgary for holding on to Hudler based on the chemistry shown, his trade value will NEVER be higher. He’s on the wrong side of 30 (even if just barely), and he had career numbers this past season. I would absolutely entertain offers for him at this point
Agreed unless he’s willing to resign for decent money. 5 mil per for 3 years. Has had great chemistry with Gaudreau & Monahan. He shocked me posting a career year for points at 31 years old with 78 points good for 8th overall & 12th for goals with 31.
I would entertain offers but not for Brandon Sutter with Calgary having to include a 2nd. Mark Spector must have thought he was Harvey Spector there for a 2nd. Ha-ha!
Schticky your the queen of over valuing those Toronto players. You honestly think a franchise hemorrhaging money losses again and again like the Yotes, want to add that kind of money? Think guy.
Your right, how dare the penguins offer Sutter and a second round pick for hudler. Your right the trade should be something more like “up and coming superstar Bennett” for hurdler. You would be robbing us here in Pittsburgh but I guess we will live with it. May be the flames second round pick can be sent back to Pittsburgh to soften the blow of the loss of Bennett.
Rc21pa, he’s talking about Calgarys Bennet, you know, Sam, not our Bennet, you know, Beau. Read his comment again with that in mind and the fact that Sam Bennet could potentially be a star and his comment will make more sense to you.
@ rc21pa
Just a quick question…
You do realize SAM BENNETT is on the Flames right? Drafted what 4th overall last year.
Also BEAU BENNET an up and coming superstar? Lol how much have you had to drink so far today lol?
Nah. Whoever said that has it all wrong. For the hard stuff I’m a scotch man (Chivas) and if it’s beer it has to be Guiness.
Stat morning
Oshie PointsPerGame RegSeason .70 but in playoffs .30
Nash .81 down to .53
Big Phil Kessel .78 up to .97
Sharp .71 down to .63
Duncan Keith .54 up to .75
Patrick Kane is .98 to .97
Didn’t Kessel have a good Olympics too?
Well those are relative to sample size stat lines. Kessel has only played in 1 playoff series so that’s hardly impressive.
So Mark Spector predicts BOTH Kessel and Sharp go to Florida. Does he also predict when and where Talon will discover the long-lost Inca treasure and how he’ll get special dispensation from Pope Bettman I regarding the cap when it comes tome to start signing his young RFAs?
How bout Bozak to a team that doesnt have over 17 mill invested in 5 guys who play center with 2 rfas who can also play center Huricanes. Staal Staal Lindholm Rask McClement Nash Nestrrasil how does Bozak fit?
Grossmann is on a rebuilding club, so why reject a trade to another rebuilding club that actually wants his services?
I dont get it either…Erixon signed a onewaydeal yesterday so the Leafs would have Phaneuf Robidas Polak Gardiner Rielly and likely a guy like McWilliam as their 6 and didnt want Franson at around a 5 mill price point so unless Grossman was a contract that was coming back in a deal not sure what the Leafs would want with him. The idea is to get younger.
lol nvm read it wrong….damn comma.
First off hello to all and now if the Leafs just signed Erixon that mean one or two of the d. might be in play as we all know Phaneuf is gonna be gone and Robidas if he stays will be the seveth D. as for Polak i’d like to see him here but i too think he could be moved to make room for the youger guys like McWilliam or a Grandberg and as for Kessel i think any team looking for goal scoring will be front and center on him lets just hope they keep moving in the right direction with this rebuild
Not saying the speculation is wrong, but why would the Oilers try and trade for Talbot? How many “potential #1” goalies have they gone for now.
When they’re trying to build confidence in their young team, don’t they need some stability between the pipes, at least for a year or two? To me, Anderson is easily the best fit of available goalies. But I’d say even a year or two of Niemi (if he’d sign there) is worth more than risking your crappy D’s confidence on a goalie with around 50-60 career starts.
Not to mention risking that goalie’s confidence due to your crappy D, too!
Agreed.
I think that Andersson, if available is the best & most proven goalie on the market, a solid 2nd tier goalie, some where in the 8 to 15 range with injury concerns, & if a team could secure him taking back even 1 or 2 of the contracts that Ottawa would like to unload, Greening & or Legwand so as to reduce the real cost in a quality player I would make that deal if I had the cap space as Legwand; 3 mil cap hit, 3.5 mil actual $, for 1 more season & or Greening. Unfortunately Greening has 2 years left; 2.65 mil cap hit, 2.75 & 3.2 mil actual $. I would consider it.
Andersson’s cap hit of 4.2 for 3 more years is very reasonable for a goalie with his abilities & stats but his health over the last several seasons has been a concern. If an Edmonton could secure him for say the 33rd pick over all & either Legwand or Grenning, essentially salary dumps by Ottawa I would make that deal if Edmonton. Not certain that if I’m Ottawa I want to roll the dice on Lehner & Hammond as my 2 goalies.
If I can’t secure Andersson I don’t bid for Talbot, Lack etc I sign a Niemi, Dubnyk etc at no cost but money as personally I prefer either to Talbot or Lack.
Edmonton is 1 of the richest teams in the NHL so they could easily afford to buy Greening out.
Anderson to Edmonton makes sense but who would go to Ottawa ? Their asking price is high and they are not in a sellers market right now.
I see Niemi as a possible FA signing more so then Dubnyk.
I like Niemi in Edm as well. He’s free accept for cash so why give up an other asset.
As suggested Andersson possibly to EDM with a contract dump, Legwand or Greening for the Oilers 33rd pick.
Niemi makes a lot of sense for the Oil. Only money n an instant upgrade but does Niemi wanna play there or have preferred teams?
Ottawa wants so much more.
They better move soon or lose out.
I agree on Kessel to Florida. I think he would accept a trade there. The Panthers have the assets and it would just be a matter of how much the Leafs can retain of his salary.
“and it would just be a matter of how much the Leafs can retain of his salary.”
Yes that amount will be exactly $0…I know hard to believe but they never said that was an option and alluded that to make him fit in cap strapped teams they can take back a short (like I said – 2-3yr anchor). I guy like Kessel as much as there are bad reports about him, the guy is valuable to any team even at his cap hit.
I’m not gonna do anyone’s research, but look at the situation and type of goals this guy scores. He rarely scores when the game is out of hand and the other team has folded, he scores the goals you need, especially when you need them the most. Don’t believe me? Look it up.
I’m not on the trade Kessel but understand the need or opportunity but there is no real reason to not want a guy like this on your team…speaking of, the Leafs would do well to dump other players before getting rid of a guy like Kessel…but if the price/timing is right, as a fan, I can understand.
Moving out Sutter for Hudler?
Ha ha ha ha ha your alright Mark Spector
Chi sends Bickell to PHI for Lecavlier
Philly gets bigger and moves him to play wing with Schenn or Couturier being the #2 center. And Chi gets a #2 center while saving cap room. I believe cap hit on Bickell is 4.5 next 2 yrs and Vinny’s is 2.5 next 3 yrs. Could be wrong
what say you?
Vinny has a cap hit of $4.5M for 3 years.
TJ Oshie, Berglund and their 1st rd pick plus mid rd pick to NJ for Zajac and their 1st rd pick.
Nj flips 1st rd pick/ mid rd pick along with extra Dman of TOR’s choosing (and Elias??) for Kessel
NJ instantly adds offense to aide their D and Schneider.
dreaming? Ya I know
Once n for all to all the touchy n oversensitive ppl here.
Cease with garbage like Kessel haters n speak normally.
Kessel is not any semblance of a proven winner but can score.
Thats it n nothing else he does helps a team win a cup. Til he does nothing changes.
$8m/yr n he’s not a core type player u build n win a cup with.
He is undeniably a pure scorer n only fits into a team with a core group that does the heavy lifting.
SHARKS WILL TRY & BRING NABOKOV OUT OF RETIREMENT! Wilson will be so desperate for anything he’d probably consider doing even that. You could put a Sharks fan in there as a GM & they’d probably do a better job.