Updates on Mike Richards, Dougie Hamilton and Phil Kessel, plus the latest on the Stars’ goaltending.
Updates on Richards and Hamilton.
Can the Kings find any takers for Mike Richards?
ESPN.COM: Pierre LeBrun reports the Los Angeles Kings have talked to several teams about trade involving center Mike Richards, but so far nothing is imminent. The Kings would love to move Richards’ contract, which still have several seasons remaining at an annual cap hit of $5.75 million. To do so, however, LeBrun believes they need to add another asset like a draft pick of value, a player or a prospect. LeBrun also speculates the Kings could try to ship Richards to a club with sufficient cap space to buy him out.
LeBrun also reports it’s believed Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli is tossing around internally the notion of pitching an offer sheet to Boston Bruins RFA defenseman Dougie Hamilton.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless the Kings toss in one helluva sweetener in the deal, I have my doubt they can find a suitor for Richards. I don’t believe Richards can “regain his form” with another club and I don’t buy the argument that coach Darryl Sutter isn’t employing him properly. Put simply, I think Richards’ aggressive two-way style has physically taken its toll upon him. The fact nobody had any interest in him when he hit the waiver wire earlier this season speaks volumes about his declining value.
It certainly will be intriguing if Chiarelli pitches a significant offer sheet to Hamilton, but we have to remember that the young blueliner must be willing to field such offers from rival clubs. If his desire is to remain a Bruin, he can instruct his agent to tell those teams not to bother sending him an offer sheet. We’ll find out soon enough if the Oilers, or any other club, can sign him.
Kessel to the Capitals?
CSNWASHINGTON.COM: Chuck Gormley notes that if the Capitals “hope to trade for a top-line right wing before or during the NHL draft later this month – and the key word is hope –there’s a guy named Phil Kessel being dangled just north of the border.” While noting the Toronto Maple Leafs winger has scored 30 goals five times and reached 80 points twice, Gormley points out he’s got seven years left on a contract paying him $8 million annually.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, don’t expect to see Kessel suiting up with the Capitals next season. For one thing, the Caps already have considerable payroll invested in Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom (over $16 million combined) and they’re going to re-sign goalie Braden Holtby to a considerable deal (Think at least $6 million per season, perhaps more). They can’t afford to add Kessel’s salary. For another, it could cost them defenseman Karl Alzner or John Carlson, promising center Evgeni Kuznetsov and either a top prospect or first-round pick to pry Kessel away from Toronto, and I don’t believe the Capitals make that deal.
Latest on the Stars goaltending.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Mike Heika reports Stars GM Jim Nill said he is not shopping goalie Kari Lehtonen around the league, but admitted he and his staff are intensely studying their goaltending situation. “Reports came out Tuesday that AHL goalie Jussi Rynnas is considering a move to the KHL and that Nill was shopping Lehtonen around the NHL to see if there was interest in a possible trade. Nill said Rynnas is considering a move and that any decision to try to move Lehtonen would be a complicated one.” If Rynnas leaves and Jhonas Enroth test the UFA market, the Stars will have to find replacements. Heika also looked at potential goalies options via free agency , listing Enroth, San Jose’s Antti Niemi, Calgary’s Karri Ramo, Philadelphia’s Ray Emery and Minnesota’s Devan Dubnyk among those who could help the Stars.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Heika admits Dubnyk is a long shot as he’s likely to re-sign with the Wild, but if he becomes a UFA on July 1 the Stars could be among the suitors. Otherwise, Niemi is the best option if they’re seeking a starter. Ramo has yet to establish himself as a starter while Emery is merely a backup at this point in his career. As for trading Lehtonen, there won’t be many teams keen to pick up an inconsistent starter with an injury history who has three years at $5.9 million annually left on his contract.
I still hope the leafs can make a move for Richards. Yes his play is declining, yes he has a nasty contract, yes he isn’t a number 1 centre. But, the leafs have nothing but time. They won’t be very competitive for at least 4 or 5 years. If LA wants to dump him there will have to pay the price. I’m thinking along the lines of Pearson, Richards and a second? The leafs can give them a cheap contract or maybe even a contract like Robidas. You scratch my back I scratch yours right?
If kessel went to the caps I would be shocked. There are some juicy trade ideas I can conjure up though. If the leafs could get kuznetsov or a burakowski or Wilson included In a package it would definitely help the Leafs. Will it happen? Probably not. Here’s to dreaming.
Replace Tanner Pearson with someone a bit more green and that’s probably closer to reality
I think Richards is still able to play hockey. I think it’s foolish to think otherwise…the real problem is you simply cannot have $6M cap hit for a player on your fourth line, not at this point in the cap – hat’s too big of a cap hit percentage/60min.
I agree if Richards gets bought out he wont be out of work long.
Hahaha, Pearson? dream on buddy! It’s more likely the Kings trade a good young prospect like O’Neill (AHL player of the year) along with Richards to the Coyotes, who btw need to add $19 million just to get to the cap floor.
Is that the term and dollars left on Lehtonen’s contract? More and more does a Toronto/Dallas swap make sense. Kessel and Bernier to Dallas for their 1st round pick and prospects Honka and Campbell, plus send Lehtonen to Toronto and (if they want) Hemsky. Dallas could certainly get Patrick Sharp for a lot less to give them scoring depth, but they lose the opportunity to unload contracts (Chicago’s cap problems are the reason they’re going to trade Sharp in the first place). Bernier will cost Dallas less and give them as good if not better goaltending.
I’ve had the same sort of thought. But I’ve suggested phaneuf instead of kessel. Dallas needs d not more scoring. The whole idea of this would be for Toronto to get more young prospects and picks and Dallas to rid themselves of a bad contract and get a top d man. They basically come out even (phaneuf is 1.1 mil more) plus a better goalie.
Giving this a 1% chance of happening would be generous. Kessel is a terrible fit in Dallas.
Why ?
Dallas’ real issues lie in goaltending and defense. They were 2nd in the league in goals per game and 27th in goals against per game.
Kessel is like a -30 this year… they’d essentially be bringing onto their team more of what they did last year.
Dont you want to see Kessel and Seguin play together ? The irony of it would be awesome.
I still see Dallas as a possibilty for Kessel and maybe Bernier with Lehtonen, Roussel and Hemsky coming to Toronto. Swap picks too with the 12th and the 24th. ( leafs could sign Justin Pogge lol )
Honestly IDK if it would happen but Roussel is a guy like Komerov a real shift disturber.
I think the funnest thing about this idea is the possibility of seeing Spezza and Kessel on the same line.
I see Washington as 1 of the possible destinations. They certainly aren’t moving Kuznetsov or Carlsson & Alzner is only 1 year away from UFA status.
This is a team that if Kessel were moved they would need Toronto to eat some salary to facilitate a trade as Washington doesn’t really have any toxic contracts & although their cap situation isn’t brutal, 49.56 committed to 14 players, Holtby is do a substantial raise & may take a significant bite out of it. Kuznetsov, Johansson & Schmidt are also RFA’s. Kustnetsov will be bridged.
I was speculating on something along the lines of Johansson, prospect Riley Barber & Washington’s 1st this year. Toronto eats 1 million per season for the entire term of the deal.
There is absolutely no way leafs will eat salary on Kessel. It doesnt make any sense. You can only retain salary on two players at a time and we have Gunnerson’s held for next year. The plan going forward is to try and sign free agents for one year deals and then if they play during the year, trade them at the deadline. It is necessary to have the ability to hold salary then. ie Winnik deal. If the leafs were to hold any salary in a Washington trade then it would be for Kuznetsov+.
If Washington really wants him they will have to make the space themselves, since as you said there arent really any contracts that can be traded back to the leafs.
I disagree as Toronto signed him to that crazy deal and after a year into it they want to get off the hook for their stupidity they should hold 2-3 mil of it. They’re going to want an arm and a leg in a trade so pay the penalty. I don’t care if it wasn’t this regime that handed out the contract, they’re going to have to pay for it. If it was a 5 year deal with one year gone that would be different but the deal as it is will cause a team cap problems down the road.
The contract was more than fair. You cannot just look at the dollar amount and think that its too high look at the context of where the where the cap is/was/trending to. If his contract is so “crazy” who are you comparing him to?
the bottom line is there is no way the leafs can expect a return like mentioned above. no way. that much term for a guy that is interested maybe half of the time? what kind of a player will he be once he loses a step? much to much term on that deal to bring back value even close to what spector mentioned. no shot.
The crazy part is term not dollar amount…lets say McDavid and Eichel reach their projected potential they will not be signing a bridge contracts they will be getting the big bucks once their ELC is up and if it were 8 years that will get them to 30 yo which is fine but in Kessel’s case he finishes this contract at 35-36, he will not be worth that cap hit. For the sake of arguement lets say Buffalo is where he goes you would have players such as Eichel, Reinhart, Ristolainen looking for the big contracts where his 8 mil cap hit just wouldn’t be worth having and that’s not figuring in Girgensons, Ennis, Kane and Bogosian looking for raises. The league is cap driven now and I wouldn’t want to be in the position where Boston, Chicago and LA are in where you may lose good players to offer sheets or having to trade key players like Boychuk that weakens my team. JMO
The problem is the fact it is for 8 years. That is a long time to be paying a player 8 million. So Toronto may need to hold back salary.
I am thinking they will have to take back more money per year but on shorter term to prevent that. Like say take two players who make 5.5 million over 4-5 years. Toronto pays in the short term but they have money and can move out from under the cap hits sooner than the 8 years it will take with Kessel.
the term is the problem phil can score but for how long everyone knows he is not the most fit player in the nhl lol once he hits 30 he might drop off a bit it happens to a lot of player but phils speed is his key to success and when that goes it will hurt his game
Oh boy, I would love to see the teams you people run into the ground as a GM. No 1st line players entering their prime would sign for less than 7-8 years on their contract. If Toronto didnt do it then someone else would have and would have paid him more. Do you think zach parise, jordan staal, or dustin brown were going to sign short contracts? Common open your eyes. You can’t just make up the rules however you like when it comes to contracts. If you want to talk apples to apples give me an example.
And to your point about him being out of shape…can you tell me the last time he missed a game?
pretty hard to get hurt by just skating around lol name the last time hit actually hit someone?
Best REALISTIC summation on the Kessel situation I have read yet, len.
If the Coyotes could get things figured out, they could easily absorb Kessel. I wonder if the Rangers would be interested in working something out? They have Boyle and Nash who could be moved out, and MSL who they could opt to not bring back.
Richards is tradable but what are they willing to give up to make him go away? If the Leafs could trade Clarkson anything is possible. The Kings need to decide what value they will give up to free up space in a Richards trade. A team like the Leafs have no issues paying Richards and will be losers for years so they don’t care about his production dropping but they will want picks to make the swap worth it.
I have to agree with Kessel as a no go in Washington.
In todays salary cap world, you can only afford to commit Kessel dollars to about 3 players on your team to make it viable.
Kessel does not supplant Backstrom/Ovi/Holtby.
“If the Leafs could trade Clarkson anything is possible”
Except I don’t believe there are any other “uninsured” contracts like that of Horton kicking around that would make another Clarkson-like trade possible.
There is no other Horton around but if the a Leafs were willing to pay Horton not to play they surely could afford to pay Richards to play on their losing team. Since they don’t have a Clarkson to ship the other way the Kings would have to send prospects and picks to make it worth the Leafs to pay a player big money who is not worth it.
The Kings either need to buy him out which still takes away cap space or give up value to a bottom rebuilding team with money to take him. The Leafs face a similar situation with Lupul but since the are not competing for a while pay Lupul to play when he is not hurt.
It’s no secret L.A. MUST clear out salary/cap hit in order to sign their key RFAs and whatever of their UFAs they wish to retain. Getting someone to take Richards and his 5 more years of $5,750,000 cap hit would go a long way towards that. But how does taking on 7 more years of an $8 Mil cap hit help L.A. in any way, shape or form?
I never said the Leafs would trade Kessel for him. Kessel is going to fetch a lot on his own. I mean the Leafs send a low cap hit player and late pick for Richards and 2 high draft picks. The only thing the Kings will get out of trading Richards is cap relief and it is going to cost them draft picks to move him.
Not sure if it would take another uninsured contract to make it happen. LA needs to resign a couple of guys this year, and kopitar next year. Also, with Slava voynov’s case looming, the league will probably kick him out, and have to give to the kings relief from his contract.
The only potential loop hole is whether the leafs have to take back more salary from the kings or not to make it happen- I’m not sure who else they would part ways with, the rest of the kings roster is pretty well put together.
Again…I think there are at least a few other teams that have enough money (revenue) that could have picked up an uninsured contract, in exchange for shaving 5 mill from their cap…the Bluejackets must have seen something in Clarkson.
” … the Bluejackets must have seen something in Clarkson ”
Yeah, he was someone they could stick a uniform on and send out to play as opposed to someone they were paying to stay home and fish.
lol its true George a lot of people think that Horton money comes off right away but they still have to wait till near the season starts which could affect sighning free agents
But the Kings (just as an example) may have to give up an asset to trade Richards or buy him out…hmmm seems like the Bluejackets could have stuck a jersey on Richards no? Or for that matter any number of bad contracts, with 2/3rds of the leagie aalmost up against the cap as everyone is sooo eagar to point out surely they could find someone besides Clarkson to “stick a jersey on” no?
did you ever think clb tried other teams and none wanted to have an uninsured contract?
Not that it matters because I doubt if they follow the plan they have been talking about I doubt the Leafs are really gong to be in the market for UFAs any ti esoon but you realize teams can go over the cap right Big bear once the season starts if the Leafs were att or above the cap Hortons salary comes off simmilar to how the Flyers and Bruins sign UFAs….
yes but don’t tell me it hasn’t affected bos or philly in signing free agents that they wanted or 2 4 million dollar players its just a pain in the ass
still dont understand all the fuss with that clarkson trade. they can only use hortons money if they are AT the cap and cant use it in the offseason. ask boston and philly about it.. the trade sounds good for those that dont understand the cap, but i can tell you it can be royal pain the ars.
What do you think os more of a pain a contract that can come off the cap if you are up against it or one that doesnt? Clarksons contract counted no matter what, that was a bigger pain. A pain in the arse, neck, back and elbow for a team trying to rebuild. This way if they can trim down some more salary it will give them extra space to take back contracts or take on salary like say a Richards if there was incentive (picks or prospects) to do so Mr. People dont understand the cap….lol
well you obviously don’t with a comment like that?? man you take it personally when you are don’t you!! lol
wrong#
So you think they should have kept Clarkson?
Spector, you and I are generally aligned when it comes to trade value….but having to “pry” Kessel with a top 2 defenseman, a highly touted young player who is. In the show, AND a pick? All this for a lazy, self absorbed, minus player with a millstone contract? you were kidding right?
Very choice words for a player who is also a legitimate 1st line player who has had success playing against an opposing team’s shutdown line every night and who has pretty much carried Toronto’s offence since hes arrival. In addition to that every player that has ever played with him has seen their point totals increase year after year. If his contract is so bad who are you comparing him to?
He is comparing him to any player that doesn’t play for the
Leafs. If Kessel was on any other team, no one would be saying some of the most dumbest comments you’ll read today.
“a player who is also a legitimate 1st line player”
Not on a team that expects a consistent two-way effort from members of their 1st line.
Sure George and if he did back check to your satisfaction, you’ll say, but he doesn’t hit or fight, crash the net or any other thing you think all other players that are as good as him should do. He scores goals, skates fast, stays healthy and plays hard…no he’s not physical so it looks like he floats to someone like you.
Name a few speedy scores that were also defensive studs. You need to understand The value of certain skill sets and why or how rare it is for a player to have more than two elite level skill sets that they really excel at when most hardly have one.
I’d take ANY of the following two-way F before I’d even look at Kessel: Kopitar, Hossa, Bergeron, Getzlaf, Perry, Toews, Datsyuk and Backes. Hell, even Joe Thornton would be a better option.
If Kessel is so good then why are the Leafs trying to trade him to anybody that will take him and give a “fair” return?
We went thru this merry-go-round with Dion a few weeks back, now Mr. No Defense. Who’s next?
Its because the leafs dont believe the core as it is right now can win anything. Its the not right mix of players. Kessel is far and wide the best player on the team. You’re not going to get good building assets trading lupul or robidas. I’m not going to make excuses for phaneuf though, he just sucks.
Sounds good Matt – a think the contract will dilute his return, alotta years and bucks left on that deal.
How can anyone with any knowledge of the game say something that ridiculous about a top flight scoring forward who consistently hits 30 goals? And how do you figure he is lazy what proof of this do you have? Many a great scorers were horrible defensively throughout the history of the league and are still talked about as the greatest to ever play the game.
his contract is terrible which seriously impacts his trade value. this is not new earth shattering news. he will get you a number 1 and a decent prospect. thats it. the problem is he makes too much money so you will have to take some garbage back.
with all that said can you imagine him on your team in 3 or 4 yrs with still all that term left? 30 goals a yr does not mean all that much if you make 8 mill and you are a liability in every other facet of the game.
Show me a 26 year old player who signed a contract as a UFA in the past few seasons like since this CBA (not a front loaded 10 year deal) thats avg 30 goals and around 65 points every season over the first 8 seasons of his career…its a big contract not a bad one. You could say “what if” for every contract in the league.What if he loses a step what if he gets a concussion, what if he gets convicted of a fellony what if he gets hit by a bus….
what if we realize we made a mistake what if he doesn’t backcheck what if he doesn’t stay in shape what if its our fault that we gave out a bad contract and now have to deal him? just admit he is overpaid shticky its not your money you didn’t sign him we made a mistake with him and Clarkson and lupul and phaneuf now we are rebuilding we will get something decent back but it wont be as easy with that bid cap hit
Still waitjng to show me a player who avgs 30 goals 65 points ovrt 8 years…no its not a bad contract. Think about it Clarkson Bolland Clowe Horcoff they do alll those things you mention but dont score how great are those contracts, why are those bad deals? They all make less momey so they shoud all be great deals no? Maybe they are bad contracts because they dont score?…your buddy George’s reply to Jeff Noel a few weeks ago when Jeff brought up Bobby Ryans slump Georges reply they are paying him 7 million dollars to score….guys who score make money. Even by youre flawed logic that Kane is some great deffensive forward (he is not) he gets paid 2 million doars more than Kessel per year if you want a guy to score goals at that rate and backcheck maybe it would cost 10 million 20 perent more…how bout we make a deal I dont want to tery and teach you math so you dont reply to me and I wont reply to your ridiculous posts…ok?
the thing is shticky all you can do is throw out stats but never think the big picture of leadership on and off the ice work ethic the game is all numbers to you take pacioretty you must think the guy is the best player in the nhl scores goals plays the pk shows good leadership? I just don’t understand how you think paying phil 8mil is worth the 65 points he get and is a minus player? he can score goals but ive asked you many times what else does he bring? you still have never answered but keep going on stats look at all the people on here saying he is not worth it! im a leaf fan and can admit it but you and your buddy durt keep saying how many points he gets but nothing else he does and really when you get points like he does how can you be a minus player he was on for like 55 goals against that is horrendous so tell me what else he brings
Kessel is had 30+ goals in 4 times in the last 6 seasons and hasn’t missed a game in 5 years. He is durable and can score. I’d take him in a heart beat. It is just a matter of fitting him in the cap. So to do that I would need to toss back unwanted contracts to the leafs or have the leafs retain salary and then try to limit the draft picks and prospects I deal to them. Kessel will be dealt it just a matter of time to find out who aquires him.
How about New Jersey? who is going to change to a more offensive system. I know the preference is to go west. I not sure why that is since the leafs are in a long term build. Why not New Jersey?
I keep hearing the Oilers will put an offer sheet on Hamilton but I’m pretty sure Bruins would match. Edmonton needs to be careful last time they did that it never worked out to well. They need to have cap space available when McDavid,s entry level contract runs out. Hamilton is good but he is not Weber.
Few are Weber who may be the best 2 way Dman in the NHL & certainly top 5 overall but it`s way to early to even know what Hamilton is but the upside is significant.
Weber`s 1st 3 years in the NHL. 161 games played, 25 goals, 45 assists, for 70 points. Hamilton. 178-22-61-83. Just saying!
Hamilton isn’t even in the same conversation as Weber, Hamilton is currently a #4 guy at best who has potential but until he shows it he’s nowhere near worth $7 million a season.
I sincerely hope Edmonton puts in an offer sheet for something like $7.3 million (just under the 2 first round pick threshold) and the Bruins match, see how good he is when actually relied upon and making the big bucks, really changes guys at that level.
Chiarelli would really have it in for his old team if he did that. Do you really think he’s that angry they fired him?
I’m sure he wasn’t happy but he can’t let it be personal. Oilers have a very bright future if Peter plays his cards right.
Hamilton hasn’t shown me enough to be a top two guy
If Edmonton makes a offer let him go as Edmontons picks have been and will continue to be high
Admittedly, the idea of an Ovechkin/Kessel top line sounds sexy, but I can’t see Washington giving up the prospects/picks/players it would take to land Kessel.
Caps cannot afford to pay more than 4 TO 5 mil for a RW. As it is, that term is absolutely toxic.
I have to throw it out there, but Colorado could trade ROR for Kessel. ROR is gonna want around $7M per, so getting back $8M isn’t that much of a stretch. With some minor tinkering, I could see a deal being worked out
I would like to see something like that but that puts too much risk on the leafs part. O’Reilly will be a UFA after this contract I believe, where Colorado is guaranteed to have a first line winger for the foreseeable future. I think Colorado would have to send over a decent prospect as well.
Kessel isn’t what the Avs need since their top 6 is looking pretty good.
If the Leafs want O’Reilly from Colorado, conversations will start with swapping the first round pick.
The Leafs will be losing for at least 5 years. I would rather they keep Phil than trade him for ROR. They need to trade Kessel for picks and they may take bad short term contracts back in order to sweeten the picks they get back.
Would someone please explain to me where ROR warrants 7 mil a year, he maybe a more complete player and younger then Drew Stafford but his stat lines are similar, he has one season of 20+ goals in six plus the threat of not signing and going to UFA, I wouldn’t gamble much to trade for him. Sabre fans want him but I would go for Kessel of the 2 if Toronto holds some salary.
Yeah I dont get the whole ROR command 7mill thing either. I think he is overpaid already. I see him more around that 4.5 – 5 mill range.
I don’t disagree that $7M is a bit high for a player like ROR. However, he’s gonna get $7M from someone. If you look at where the salary cap is going, and what star players command as far as cap %, $7M for ROR doesn’t look that bad. He can play any forward position, plays PK/PP, and can log 20m/game. He’s a strong possession player, makes his linemates better, doesn’t take bad penalties, and plays defense. Drew Stafford isn’t a good comparable.
Obv, any trade would be either a sign-and-trade, or a handshake contract agreement.
Peterman I tend to want to agree with you but from what GMTM has stated on the radio such players without directly referring to ROR, the team trading for him are generally not allowed to speak to him prior to the trade.
I don’t think he wants 7M/y… I think he wants 7m/y in Colorado. I don’t think he wants to be an Av.
I don’t believe MLSE will eat salary on Kessel, but Lyle is not wrong when he says it will be challenging to find a dance partner, so to speak.
I usually beat the drum of taking back shorter term toxic contracts as part of the package to move things along – the leafs are rebuilding after all, but I’m now starting to wonder if this type of move might be resolved in a three team, big and complicated deal.
GMs and their direct reports will have to become far more creative to navigate a salary cap league that will not grow much in the upcoming season.
In the meta-salary cap game, I’d love to watch GMs prove their skills in the scenario where the salary cap goes DOWN in a year. Pass me the popcorn!
Kessel to the Caps lol. If such a deal happened, they once again become a 1 line team which is why they were not a serious threat over the last few years. Having a big first line is great, but you need secondary scoring to win.
Pundits can discuss Kessel until the cows come home, but frankly there are only two teams that make any sense – the Ducks and the Islanders (yup I will continue to beat that drum).
The Ducks could potentially offer both Palmieri and Belesky. We know they have the money to do it.
I will maintain the best deal I have thought of is the Islanders. It works to we’ll for both teams. Still seeing a package of Reinhart/Pullock, a first and Josh Bailey. We aren’t getting one of the wonder kids up front, but frankly it’s a package that I believe is very very close to what Kessel value is.
I get that reporters have to spitball and come up with such ideas to sell papers, but deep down they have to know that what they usually suggest is pie in the sky, or the money doesn’t fit, or if you stop and think about the construct of a deal it doesn’t make sense. Be nice to see something plausible in a paper once in a while.
The Leafs (or anyone else) can sign Beleskey as a UFA if the Ducks don’t get him signed before July 1.
We’ll probably see by the end of this month whether Lyle is right or wrong… although Lyle believes he gets moved in the summer instead, and if so, it’ll probably be in the first week of July when teams have struck out on free agent targets (not that this year’s pool is anything that anything to salivate over)
I never said that! What I said was the earliest he could be moved is the week leading up to the June draft weekend. There isn’t anyone the caliber of Kessel in the UFA pool, so no one is going to “strike out” in that regard after July 1.
As much as I was pining for a move to be made for Kessel back at the trade deadline, Lyle was consistent that leading up to the draft was a far more likely scenario, with salary caps being determined, etc.
It depends if rumors of the NYR looking to move Nash are true or not. With several players to sign, Nash might be too expensive for them to retain. That could impact the Kessel market a little.
You always say that! “best deals are had in the summer”
I can’t quote you (not gonna fish through archives), but come on, it’s something you like to say. Admit it!
Regarding Kessel, I never said what you claim I did. If you can’t substantiate your statement, don’t make it.
S’okay, I rescind my statement. But I’ll be waiting in the weeds. Heh heh heh.
Those who wait in the weeds get cut down by a week wacker. Heh heh heh back at ya.
S’okay, I rescind the statement. But I’ll be waiting in the weeds!
“waiting in the weeds” …. sort of like your hero Kessel waiting at center ice.
Hey Lyle just wondering if there is any team with over a one percent chance of trading for Kessel and who that would be? I do agree Washington would be a tough sell but not impossible. I do believe he will be traded And I do not think they will not hold back salary but they will have too take salary back to make it work.Even Bob from TSN thinks Kessel will be moved and he is one of the best insiders going.
It’s a tough call. Until the Panthers acquired and signed Jagr, I felt they stood a good chance. I know Poile is a Kessel fan but I don’t know how keen he is to pick up that big contract, especially with younger players to re-sign in a couple of years. The Devils could use his scoring but are they on his “no-trade” list? Carolina could use him, but they’ve got a lot of money (over $56 million) tied up in salary. Maybe if they offer up Skinner, another player and a pick/prospect? Then again, they’ve got to find a way to shed Semin, aka Rutherford’s lingering mistake. Buffalo could really use him, but I don’t see the Leafs sending him down the road and I don’t think he’d agree to it. The Coyotes could really use him, too, but givent the ongoing uncertainty over their future, maybe they’re a no-go zone too. The Flames have lots of cap space. They also have Jiri Hudler, who’s got great chemistry with Gaudreau and Monahan, who also need big raises down the road.
As I said before; Chiarelli who put the Bruins in their present cap situation may now try to capitalize on it by offering Hamilton an offer sheet. If I’m Edmonton with such a young core and so many top end prospects still on entry level deals, I be careful because another team might be doing the same thing to the Oilers in a couple of years.
Imagine Kessel and Ovi on the same line, wonder what the combined +/- would be?
And crippling his own club in the meanwhile if they let him sign… sort of like wrestling a hammer and you get a kid pulling really hard to take it so you let go and he smacks himself in the forehead.
Not sure I get the problem. RNH, Eberle and Hall are signed for years to come. Sure Yakupov is on a 2 year contract and MacDavid will likely get a raise in 2 years(substantial).
I believe the longest term offer sheeted contract could be is 2 years. So they offer Hamilton big money for 2 years. When it comes time to deal with Yakupov, Macdavid, Hamilton and others when that expires they decide on who to keep and move the others for assets or cheaper roll players.
I mean in two years they could Trade RNH to drop his salary. Move Draistle in and sign MacDavid and probable be able resign Hamilton and if need be trade Yakupov, after all Yak may never improve and could remain cheap. If he does improve they could probably move him to plug a hole.They likely would have veteran players they could let go on their bottom 6 and begin to move in younger guys.
Not saying the won’t be problems, but the Oilers are sitting a a good position right now with many options to manage it later. Yes if they think they can keep everyone than that will be their down fall but a proper plan set in place with proper player evaluation and I can see the Oilers managing quite well even by signing a player to a big contract this summer.
If Hamilton has his agent tell other teams to forget an offer sheet, it could lower the offer he gets from the Bruins. I’m sure he is delighted with speculation that Edmonton or others might make an offer.
To Washington: Kessel, 2015 4th Round (107th)
To Toronto: Bowey, Burakovsky, Laich, 2015 3rd Round (62nd)
Net cap impact to Washington in 2015-16: $2.606M, keeps Caps current roster largely intact.
Not bad. It would be hard for me to give up Bowie if I’m the Caps, but it makes sense. Toronto would also have to retain salary for a deal to work, though.
Kessel to the caps makes some sense because it’ll give them some secondary scoring (that that Ovechkin isn’t playing the packhorse every year). They also need to get their paws on a d that can chip in on offense in the playoffs.
I wonder if they can structure a deal like… they retain 2M first year, 1M second year, and it’ll knock down the cap by 3/8 of a million per year.
I understand that the salary retained has to be equally distributed over the whole term of the contract.
Won’t happen. All this does is make the cap hit tolerable at the expense of prospects, and the Caps don’t need to give up their great prospects because, with Ovy/Backstrom on the first line, what they need is a legit 2RW, not a 1RW. They would be better doing a deal for a legit 20+ goal scorer who isn’t a possession anchor, and keeping the prospects.
I understand the leafs want to move Jessel to the west but I still think it’ll be a nj or nyi. If they do work out a deal in the west I think Anaheim may just be the team that makes a move for him. They have the assets. A first, Richie and Gibson involved in a deal for him. I’d rather a deal with some of tampas prospects but still….wishful thinking. Mad for Hamilton in Edmonton, I’d love to see them work out a deal together. Maybe dreistital (sp?) for Hamilton? Play him on the wing. As long as it doesn’t involve edmontons d prospects it works. Maybe go bigger and do eberle, the 16th and a dreistital for lucic, Hamilton and subban? That may be a decent starting point.
Jessel to Washington doesn’t make sense. Toronto needs picks, wash gave their second and third rounder to Calgary.
Dear god I wish they’d do something with Richards. I’d be more than fine with Toronto taking his salary if their first pick was involved. In a pure salary dump move Toronto can move Percy and Pitts second next year to la for Richards and this years first. Works for both teams.
So Lyle where are the Coyotes moving to now that the Glendale city council has voided the Coyotes lease?
They’re staying put until this is sorted out amicably between the two sides or via the law courts if the Coyotes proceed with their $200 million lawsuit. If they do relocate, say hello to your new Las Vegas NHL franchise.
You guys that freak out about the Leafs not having to eat salary for Kessel just don’t get it. They don’t have to, but they can and should. Toronto has loads of cap room and they don’t need it for a while. If eating salary means a better return, then they should do it. Use your brains people.
thank you chester im in the same boat as you if we want the best possible return retaining some salary is the way to go
Well with the possibility of appeals and then re-appeals this could all end in the middle of the season next year. What a mess that be and what to do.
I suspect the NHL will either move this summer but more likely they will come to an agreement to move the team in 3 years. The council will agree and and put something in the agreement to save face and the league will have the time it needs to move the team properly
One thing is 100% a certainty in my mind and that is no team will move to Quebec city or the GTA area. If teams are moved to those areas’ it will be as an expansion team so the owners can suck up the expansion fee dollars. There just salivating at the thought of it.
If I had my preference Portland or Seattle is where the Coyotes should go.
Lyle I agree Glendale and the Coyotes will probably work out a new arena lease deal with some help from Bettman and the league. I believe the NHL would prefer prefer an expansion team in Vegas and the possible $500 million expansion fee they would receive.
Off todays rumors but if Malkin being shopped the Blues make good sense for both sides.
1/2 punch Sid+Backes though STL needs Backes against Toews/Getzlaf etc.
Kings can trade Richards but will have to pay the price, The Kings do have options I believe they can add Martin Jones G or Derek Forbert D and Ricahrds to Buffalo for Hodgson or Moulson Works out for both teams Buffalo needs a Second line center with experience plus a goalie in Jones kings get cap space and a decent third line center in Hodgson, or the other way around by getting Moulson back in LA what you guys think?
Bottom line on Kessel is the Leafs do NOT have to move him.
Yeppers that is true and the reason they won’t hold salary. They can wait it out this year and do it next summer if need be.
However I do think they would prefer to suck hard now, get another high draft pick improve from there. Retaining Kessel makes them better not worse.
No need to hold salary. If they dont like the deal they are under no obligation to move him. They have lots of options and unless the deal is too good to be true they do not have to hold salary. Quite frankly they’d be nuts to.
Spector, is it possible for the leafs to make a trade for Kessel or any other player with a team like the Caps where the leafs agree to pay and keep the cap hit of say $4MM for four years? The leafs should not require their full cap space for the next four years and no team is going to get a player like Kessel for four million and therefore should be willing to trade significant assets.
Greg, as I understand it, if any team trading a player retains a portion of a player’s salary, it’s over the length of the remaining term.
but could it be top heavy or vice versa?
sorry like if it was a 7yr contract and they paid 11million of the contract could the first 4yrs be 2 million per and the next 3 be 1million per just an example?
No if you are holding salary its the same ammount for the length of the deal..its based on % not dollars per say. Example if the Leafs held 1 mill the first year (12.5%) Kessels salary becomes 7 mill. The next year 2 mill becomes 28% which then makes his salary hit 5 mill the following year now if you were to increase it to 3 mill it becomes over 50% of hia salary…what you hold in salary remains the same through out.
thx but ill wait for spectors answer lol
Np but you realize you are on a computer right? Like you can look it up yourself? lol
I doubt anybody wants to trade for Mike Richards and I’m near certain the Leafs have any interest either.
As for Kessel, in 668 career games, other than his call up entry year and the 2010 Olympic year, he’s played the full 82 games per year.
He’s a proven & consistent 30+ goal scorer who skates like the wind. He tends not to get hurt because he floats as Cherry would say, doesn’t back check much and does like leisure world activities when not on the ice and his off season maintenance regime could use a going over. That said
He’s only 27, and has only played with people like Bozak and JVR and still, he has banged up those numbers and he’s still got about 5 good years of productivity left and many see him as capable of 50 goals or more in a season at least once in his career.
What is Kessel worth to a team who can’t score enough? Well opinions on here vary of course; and all the usual experts will weigh in and slag me for saying something good about the guy; but right now there are 27 other teams not including the Leafs, watching Tampa and Chicago battle for the title wondering what could Phil do for us.
I stand corrected on his injury history as he missed the first 12 games on his Maple Leaf debut due to injury.
Burke gave up 2 first round picks and a second to get Kessel. Surely a proven 5 time 30+ goal scorer is worth a first round pick,2nd or 3rd round pick and a young roster player in any trade to acquire him with salary retention considerations on the table as well
No team would or should give that kind of package for overrated Phil!!!
You may be right..but when 27 other GM’s sit back and look at it all, the outcome may surprise us both