Latest on Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, Patrick Sharp, Kyle Okposo, plus a list of possible NHL buyout candidates.
Okposo on the trade block?
Are the Islanders shopping Kyle Okposo?
NEWSDAY: Arthur Staple reports Kyle Okposo, “who is entering the final season of a five-year, $14-million contract, could be on the trading block, according to two league sources outside the Islanders’ organization.” Though Okposo is coming off the best back-to-back performances of his career, Staple speculates GM Garth Snow might be unwilling to invest in a long-term deal for the 27-year-old, who becomes a UFA next summer. Though no deal appears imminent, Okposo’s $2.8 million cap hit for next season could prove attractive to cap-strapped clubs. Staple speculates Okposo could seek a six- or seven-year deal worth $7 million annually next summer It’s also believed Snow is shopping veteran winger Michael Grabner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Staple points out, the Isles don’t have any selections until 72nd overall in this year’s draft, so Snow could be looking to acquire picks in the first and second round as part of a return for Okposo or Grabner. It would certainly be a bold move by Snow to trade Okposo, one which might not sit well with Isles fans, but Snow has proven willing to make big, sometimes surprising deals. The Islanders do have some depth on right wing with 21-year-old emerging star Ryan Strome and the versatile Josh Bailey, plus the promising Josh Ho-Sang in their system. If Okposo’s available, there will be considerable interest in him.
Latest on Kessel, Phaneuf and Tarasenko.
TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons claims he’s hearing Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan “doesn’t love Phil Kessel” and neither does new Leafs coach Mike Babcock. They want Kessel traded but won’t just give him away. Both, however, “don’t dislike” Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf…Simmons also suggests if he were an NHL GM, he’s pitch an offer sheet to St. Louis Blues star Vladimir Tarasenko, as the Blues “aren’t exactly known for paying big bucks.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Leafs aren’t willing to accept a lesser return for Kessel (and they certainly shouldn’t), he’ll be skating for Toronto next season, regardless of what Shanahan and Babcock may or may not think of him. Same goes for Phaneuf…Blues aren’t exactly known for paying big bucks? That’ll come as a surprise to Paul Stastny and Alex Pietrangelo.
Penguins, Islanders looking at Sharp?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford “will sure try” to land Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Sharp. He also speculates the New York Islanders could have their eye on Sharp.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins have depth in young, affordable defense prospects who would interest the ‘Hawks, but they must shed salary if they’re to absorb Sharp’s $5.9 million annual cap hit for the next two years. The Islanders could afford to take on Sharp but that depends upon their plans for Kyle Okposo.
DETROIT FREE PRESS: Helene St. James reports rumblings out of Chicago suggest the Blackhawks seek “a first-round pick, a top prospect, and an NHL forward on an entry-level contract. That’s best described as absurd.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yep, but you can’t blame Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman for setting a high asking price. I suspect we’ll see that price drop considerably in the coming days or weeks.
Ranking some possible NHL buyout candidates.
CBS SPORTS: Adam Gretz looked at several players who could be considered contract buyout candidates to determine which one is most likely to receive one. He doesn’t believe a buyout of Alexander Semin ($7 million annually for three more years) makes sense for the Carolina Hurricanes. He also doesn’t think it’s a good idea for the LA Kings regarding Mike Richards ($5.75 million annually for five more years) or the Columbus Blue Jackets with David Clarkson (five years, $5.25 million annually). He recommends the Philadelphia Flyers buy out Vincent Lecavalier (three years, $4.5 million annually), the Pittsburgh Penguins buy out Rob Scuderi (though Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said he’s not using that option this year on any of his players) and for the Detroit Red Wings with Stephen Weiss (three years, $16 million), and probably a good idea for the Buffalo Sabres with Cody Hodgson (four years, $4.25 million annually).
If the isles want sharp and are looking at dealing Okposo, there are ducks that can line up there.
Sure they save 3m this season but then what happens next summer when Okposo becomes UFA and want’s 6m plus/season?
Both of these teams want young players and draft picks in return. I don’t see a fit. The cap issues for CHI alone make it a certainty a trade for Okposo won’t happen.
If CHI packaged Oduya or Seabrook with Sharp and the NYI gave some prospects maybe, but they don’t have a pick till the 3rd round so they can’t really give CHI what they want.
Okposo is an upgrade over Sharp. Chicago if they can not resign Seabrook will not win again. Next year is their last chance to win a cup unless they work some cap magic.
so, yes, there could be a fit and if it goes bad, they can ger their picks and prospects for okposo at the deadine.
Probably won’t happen but makes sense on some level.
more than trading Seabrook in a package with Sharp for prospects.
Okposo is not an upgrade over Sharp. Stats wise they seems to be the same type of player. ( Sharp has been better ) Sharp has 3 Cups and is an assistant capitan on the Hawks. His experience and leadership makes him the better player.
Oduya is a free agent, .. Nyi would have to give up a lot that they don’t have to get sharp and seabrook, seabrook is a top 2 de on any team, sharp is a proven scorer a winner, sharp for okposo straight across might be a fair trade for both teams
What does Steve Simmons know?
As much and more than any of us – and with real live contacts in the hockey community – I’d dare say .
Now awaiting the “Simmons is a moron” barrage.
Simmons is a moron…if he was anything more than a sensationalist looking for a headline I’d listen to him. As I doubt the Leafs will find many takers at their asking price for Kessel, Simmons is making sure to plant the seeds for another season of controversy and annoyance for Kessel and to continue to push his value down as low as possible. Short of Shanny, Dubas and Hunter, I’m doubt that anyone really knows what Babcock’s and Shanny’s real opinion of Kessel is…and if their are others out their that do know and are talking out of turn then Leafs mgmt still has some internal house cleaning to finish up.
Simmons IS a moron, right up there with George Gross, Dick Beddoes(rip),Al Strachan and the rest of the lazy, self- promoting, cozy-with- owners types. Too lazy to put in the work to be considered real writers
Yeah, right, if Phil phalls on his phat ass again blame Simmons. The ONLY motivation that one-way wonder needs is the phat cheque he gets on a regular basis from MLSPE.
It amazes me that 25 goals & 61 points is bad. Kessel did that on auto pilot with 70% of those points coming prior to Carlyle being removed & Toronto having no plan or concern about winning after. They tanked it willingly & Kessel was only to happy to join the ride.
We can all agree that Kessel is lazy, cares little about playing defense, plays out of shape & isn’t very inspired but he is also 1 of the top 5 most consistent goal scorers & top 10 to 15 point producers in the NHL even with those warts.
I may not like Kessel & his 8 million cap hit for 7 more years, hell I don’t even like Kessel period but 35 to 40 goals corers don’t grow on tree’s in today’s NHL & I would be shocked if he doesn’t return what a 35 to 40 goal, 70 to 80 point player should, even with all those warts.
that’s the point striker who wants an 8million dollar player that goes on auto pilot for any reason? it just shows the type of player he is when something happens he doesn’t like
That’s been my point about Kessel all along – $8Mil should get you a superstar, not a one dimensional player that shows zero leadership skills and refuses to play defense.
as far as the great return the Leafs will get for Kessel – I will believe it when I see it.
Wondering why the Flyers have waited so long to buy out Vinny? Time for a divorce, NHL-style.
Come on man. How can you say Simmons comment about the Tyler Johnson-Nikita Kucherov-Ondrej Palat “triplets” line being a collective +102 compared to the Phil Kessel-Tyler Bozak-James Van Riemsdyk collective -102 (a 204 spread) is “bad journalism.” It is what it is. So why were they so horrible in that regard? They probably had the most on-ice minutes of any 3 forwards so was it the fault of the D they played with? That would have to be Phaneuf (who some claim is at least a 3/4 on any team) and Reilly (the best u p and comer in the organization if you believe some pundits) who get the most minutes on D. Or was it the fault of Gardiner, Polak and Robidas. Maybe they could put all the blame on the goalies? The trio with the second most minutes up front – Lupul, Kadri and Panik – had a combined -25 by comparison. So who, on that big line, is the main reason for their colective -102? Bozak who’s been described as a decent 2nd line C, or Van Riemsdyk who has been cited as their best trade chip? It can’t all have been the coaches fault. These are the guys who essentially guided them to the 4th worst place in a 30-team league. And don’t say “tanking” – that’s too easy a crutch and if it could be proved to be true the organization would have reason to take them to court for breach of contract (you’ll never convince me that an organization can reach an understanding with its players to deliberately throw games).
Same guy who wrote the articles about Drouin and Stamkos upset with their coach and may want out of Tampa, a team that just made the stanley cup final for the first time in years. Its not just the Leafs George. Simmons is a hack.
Can we stop throwing the “40 goal” moniker around Kessel? He’s scored over 35 goals three times in what? Nine seasons?
He’s immensely skilled but he’s not a 40 goal scorer. His career average per 82 games is a shade over 30. If we’re gonna call Kessel a 40 goal scorer we may as well call Ovechkin a 70 goal scorer, since he hit 65 once.
lmao best comment all day an arm chair gm on a hockey fourm calling a reporter a hack!! lol
MSJ.
I don’t know if that was directed at me. If it was I didn’t call him a 40 goal scorer but a 35 to 40 goal scorer. I never pigeon hole players to a specific # or just look at a small snap shot, 1 year. I like to put players in 5 goal slots, 10 to 15, 15 to 20, etc & 10 point slots 35 to 45, 45 to 55 etc. To many things can happen in a season to try & peg any player to a firm # & to only look at a single season of production for a player makes to no sense to me either.
I like to look at 3 year segments for players. For younger players this can’t work for obvious reasons but after 6 years of NHL experience I like to evaluate their last 3 & try to find trends or variances to explain why there may be swings in production. Changing, roles, age, etc.
People say Sharp is declining & no where near the player he was last season. I say injuries & his changing role had for more to do with his decline in points than age. Not to mention scoring is dropping across the board & what points are being scored are being distributed over a greater number of players. No 90 point scorer, only 1 player with more than 50 goals & only 64 points required to make the top 30 & the spread in points between 30 & 100 is tightening up every season.
Sharp went from 1st line LW & 1st line PP time, 2nd overall in Chicago in 2013-14 to 3rd line LW & 2nd line PP time last season. That is going to cost any player a significant loss of points. People say that happened as he couldn’t earn better ice time. I disagree, it had to do with Chicago wanting to advance Saad as they knew Sharp was leaving after this season & wanted to start to make the adjustment sooner & try to spread their scoring over 3 lines as opposed to 2. When Sharp moves we`ll see how he produces again in a more significant role. That said age is starting to catch up with him but if he plays 75 games I still see 30 to 35 goals & 60 to 70 points even at his advanced age. That puts him in the top 25 both for goals & points.
As for Kessel, if he goes to a team with a top 10 number 1 center he could potentially hit 40 but to me he is a 35 to 40 goal scorer, where ever he plays. He seems to be able to sleep walk to those totals. Last season being an abberation.
George. tanking to me doesn`t mean players deliberately trying to lose but organizations putting themselves in a position that makes winning very difficult. Which is what Toronto did when they let Carlyle go. How Buffalo structured their roster for last year, etc.
Would ot make you feel better if wwe just call him the highest scoring right winger currently on the planet?…cause he is that over the past few years.
Your post about Kessel made me think of one of those pharmaceutical commercials where they try to sell you on some cure for something and then lists 10 or 20 side effects/health risks that sound way worst then what they are trying to cure with that drug.
hit the nail right on the head kronwalled
btw the highest scoring RW is corey perry the last 5 yrs
Big Bear.
Perry has Kessel by goals in the last 5 seasons but not points.
I guess Rob Longley is a “hack” as well. Remember his September 18, 2014 column headed “Maple Leafs’ Kessel gets green light to do things his way”??
“That’s safe to say,” Kessel said. “I think Randy lets me get away with stuff that other guys might not get away with. Obviously I play different than someone else on the team. I think me and Randy have a pretty good relationship. You guys know what my role is for this team.”
Going to be interesting to see if Babcock gives him half as much leeway.
We won’t bash your king… We know the guy writes his crap for people like you and maybe for Leaf fans to laugh at. It’s a shame some people insist he legit.
I simply don’t listen to or read journalists or broadcasters who I don’t respect. The only reference I get to their bizarre comments is in situations like this. I just ignore it.
If what he often wrote was not based in fact and credible sources he’d likely have been sued for defamation of character any number of times over the years. Where there’s smoke there’s fire as the old adage goes. Hell, Burke had enough opportunity to take him to court if what he wrote about him could be proved blatantly false. But he didn’t. I see this anti-Simmons rant as symptomatic of a chronic condition of the more thin-skinned among Leafs Nation who have developed – likely out of sheer frustration with the decade-long futility – an attitude of “only tell me what I WANT to hear – not what I SHOULD hear.” They want only glowing praise in print when it comes to the Leafs performance – never harsh but accurate criticism. And that’s unrealistic.
It’s not a rant to say Simmons is neither a professional nor a good sports columnist.
I say he is nothing more than a fiction writer. He does not garner much respect. Hockey ppl talk hockey eg BobMac. Simmons presumes to be a mind reader n in tight with the horses mouth. Hardly.
He is not credible enough to be taken serious. Far too many others to listen to before him.
I said therefore it’s true lol
Why exactly would Shanahan and Babcock go around bad mouthing their star player they are actively trying to trade? Zero sense is made from doing this, all it does is devalues the player, and is extremely counter intuitive. Simmons has had issues with Kessel for years, he and Feschuk constantly troll him to get reactions from the man… This is nothing more than a bitter, poorly trained writer trying to get his last kick in on a player who has actively challenged his bs.
Actively challenged his “bs” how exactly? Certainly not by changing his approach to the game.
george we know your are steve simmons everything adds up now it’s clear you think you are never wrong go to another site as a another name again
As usual, anything you post in here is reactive and false – never anything substantive based on opinion about the game or teams in general (which is what we all have – simply opinions – they don’t have to jibe in the real world John – just snide innuendos (by the way, that’s not Italian for Preparation H).
So you going to sue him for defamation of character George? lol its the same mentality kinda thing isnt it?
Are you a troll? Prejudice towards Kessel? Either that, or you have no idea who Steve Simmons is outside of a name that is often quoted on this website. He is the Toronto Sports media equivalent to a shock jock, and that is saying something considering his colleagues in Blundel and Feschuk. He attacks a player in his articles, then asks them absolute garbage questions with no more intent than to insight a reaction so he can go and write about how their attitude is ruining the team dynamic.
If you don’t know how Kessel doesn’t take his bs, you are clearly not someone who is familiar with the team, or the writer.
He has been called out by his colleagues on television for being ridiculous and deserved of the reactions.
“He has been called out by his colleagues on television for being ridiculous and deserved of the reactions.”
when and by who specifically and on what subject? You’re just practicing what you say Simmons shouldn’t preach.
man will it ever end with this media in Toronto guys like Simmons got nothing better to do then try to devalue players so they can not trade them.I am starting to think he will not be traded and it will set the rebuild back for years.
Perhaps this is the real reason people dislike Simmons. Perhaps his reports are honest but because it is something the leaf faithful don’t want to Hear they don’t like him and call him a sensationalist.
Hmmmmm……..I wonder.
Or perhaps because he makes crap up. Flip flops on just about everything … NVM the Leafs look at the amount of articles Simmons “writes” on other sports, teams and players that are just plain wrong or later are to be invalid once people start looking in to his facts. Simmons is a joke who provides water cooler fodder nothing more.
Simmons would be loathed in every other city in North America if Toronto could be so lucky to be rid of him.
lol, I never really follow the guy. You could be right schticky. Im just having a bit of fun with you lead fans,
Jeff it has nothing to do with “what I want to hear”… Simmons is just Toronto’s Garrioch. He’s just stirring the pot for the sake of stirring the pot. Journalism is one thing, and I have no issues with McKenzie, Dreger, Cox and co…but Simmons is going out of his way to create a problem (in the public eye)that hasn’t even had an opportunity to develop yet. Maybe it becomes fact…but for now it’s just tabloid sensationalism.
As far as I can tell from what I seen of the two they aren’t as bad as this site’s poster claim they are. I don’t follow Simmons much and know Garioch rarely has anything to say that someone else hasn’t said already.
so true jeff truth hurts and the commenters on here cant take it
yeah and you murray is always right mr know it all
See what I mean above? Just sniping from the bushes without anything based in fact. Pathetic.
you keep replying it must be true
You keep repeating it so it must be BS … considering the source.
can’t keep your trap shut steve
Always have to get in the last word, cipher?
look who’s talking steve s
With another year along side Tavares, Okposo is going to cash in huge. NYI could acquire a more dynamic player by moving Okposo now and using the return to acquire Kessel. The Isles need another star player and this is their chance to do so with little long term cap impact (vs resigning KO) and little cost (KO would generate significant return with his low cap hit). This is ‘sell high buy low’. Carve away.
It would not surprise me to see Kessel go to the Islanders. Snow has the young assets to get a deal done. JT with a bonafide 40+ goal man flanking him, would be killer. I realize the Leafs want draft picks in this year’s draft; however, if they can land former first round pick(s) that have already developed in the NYI system than it could work. If Okposo is part of the deal, the leafs could flip him for picks as well (couple of seconds???).
If they Isles want Kessel a deal could happen. They have some solid young prospects that I could see the Leafs being interested in. Taveras and Kessel could be a lethal combination.
Sorry, Kessel a Bonafida 40 goal man? Maybe I’m wrong but I could have sworn he has never scored 40. Hell, he’s scored over 32 THREE times in almost a decade in the NHL.
Bonafida 40 goal players actually score over 40 and do it every year. Kessel is a Bonafida ‘always scores under 40 and usually under 35’ player. He’s not a 40 goal scorer.
He is however the highest scoring right winger in the league over the past 5 years…semantics
also the on the ice for most goals against in the league the past 5 yrs
Accoriding to?
Is he the only guy on the ice or are Bozak JVR and defensive superstars like Robidas Polak Fraser O Byrne Liles Gleason Ranger Kostka Holzer Granbeg McWilliam…on the ice with him? Having an 8 million dollar winger doesnt make your team bad defensively. Having a 2nd or 3rd line center on your top line 3 forwards who cant play D and 9 or 10 D men on your team that cant crack a roster on any other NHL teams might
I guess according to wherever you got your info from perry is the higest scoring RW the past 5 years by 27 goals
Really I dont want to walk yo thru all these things just stop replaying to ,e with your absurdness and wont reply to you…
the past 3 seasons
Crosby center 244 points
Ovie Lw 216 points
Giroux C 207
Getzlaff C 206
Bacstrom C 205
Tavares C 199
Benn LW 199
Seguin C 193
Kessel RW 193
do the rest of the math yourself
I like Okposo, and he averages 21 goals, 34 assists, and -10 per 82 games. Those are good stats, except for the plus/minus, but those are not the stats that justify a $7 million per year contract.
The Blues not known for spending big bucks? Neither was the Preds except when Weber signed the bigger offer sheet ever. Yes Shanny and Babs probably don’t like Kessel but they will keep him next year until they get what the are asking.
Before buying out any player I would try to package picks or prospects with those toxic contracts and see if a team like the Leafs would do them a favor. Maybe even other teams switching bad contract for bad contracts to see if the new guys do better in another environment.
I’m hoping for a lot of movement during in the draft but I have a feeling many big name players rumoured available won’t be moved. Edmonton is one team that needs to trade picks to get a head start on a goalie and top pairing D. I’m am interested who can the Oilers pick up via UFA, RFA ( offer sheets), and trade market to fill those needs.
Could the Habs pick up Lecavalier for one of their own players they don’t want?
Agreed, it is interesting to see what the Oil will do. While Mac T is still there to give his 2 cents on current roster, I think PC will still want to see with his own eyes what he has and how they play under an experienced head coach. This years trade deadline and next years draft I think will be more active. The only action I expect will be them addressing the goaltending, it is just too week.
the 2 rumors around Edmonton are the offer sheet to Hamilton and Hamilton and Marchand to Edmonton for Hall and Shultz.
As a Bruins fan I hate the thought of giving up on Hamilton so soon as #1 D Men are the hardest thing to find, and he could end up being one in a couple years. Although Hall playing with Kreicji or Bergeron would be awesome. A rumor that actually makes sense for both teams?
How does this trade help the Bruins cap situation? Hall could land a much better defenseman than Hamilton alone. Love the idea of sending Schultz away and would gladly take back Marchand. You need agitators like that to be successful. However, at the end of the day the best player in the deal is Hall and unless a guy like OEL is coming back, forget it. No thanks from an Oilers fan’s perspective.
Yes, Hall is he best player in the deal, at least right now. The B’s take some crap back with Shultz to even it out. Unless the B’s can get Hamilton to sign a bridge deal, which is what I would try to do, they will end up paying as much or more than Hall is getting. Hall’s deal looks OK right now. A lot for a D Man who was protected by Chara for most of last year but want #1 dollars. Depends how current negotiations are going and what MGT thinks about Hamilton long term.
Shultz is a dud, Hall a stud.
Both Marchand and Hamilton are very good young players, with Hamilton having huge potential. That’s what makes it interesting.
These conversations are essentially pointless. Hall isn’t being shopped currently nor can I see Edmonton entertaining the concept any time soon. The next 3 seasons. It could be possible down the road as all these young players develop in Edm but even then I would be shocked to see him moved. Someone may have to go eventually to get a solid #1 or 2 Dman depending upon how long it may take to develop 1 internally.
Hall isn’t getting Oliver Ekman-Larsson. #1 D is the hardest position to fill in the NHL & OEL will be 24 in July. He’s untouchable.
Hall is stud but the luster is wearing ever so slightly. Not because of his abilities but his injury history has to start being a concern. His reckless style of hockey has cost him 77 man games in 5 years. For you Edm fans, not slighting Hall in anyway. He is a stud & if he’s on my team I’m not trading him unless future circumstances dictate even entertaining it.
Many of you seem to have trouble trying to project a players ability or take an I’ll believe it when I see it approach. Dougie Hamilton is a stud. He has 3 years of NHL experience & when he went down with injury he was playing as the #2 Dman in Bos. His injury late in the season cost Boston a playoff spot. His 10 goals & 42 points in 72 games placed him 23rd for scoring by Dman in the NHL & in his 3rd full season he averaged 21:20 of ice time per game, very impressive for a 21 year old. He has accomplished more than OEL did in his 1st 3 years in the NHL & has played on a defense significantly harder to earn playing time on. He just turned 22 4 days ago & is a monster at 6’5″ & 212 lbs. He probably plays at 225 to 230 when he fully fills out.
Dman take 400 games to show their true colors. Hamilton is at 178. Even OEL is only at 340! Had Hamilton stayed healthy he would have made the top 15 scorers at D. Next season baring injury he comfortably makes the top 10; 10 to 15 goals 50 to 55 points on the high side, 45 to 50 on the low side & as he approaches his 400 game mark probably top 5 offensively, pushing 20 goals & 60 points well playing a solid 2 way game. He’s on the cusp of super stardom & if you want to get this type of player your only hope is to acquire them before they achieve it & even then your going to have to pay a premium based on their contribution to date.
That’s why I suggested Edm targeting Ellis & or Spurgeon. Both could potentially be had & although not the perfect #1’s are potentially solid #2’s. Both have size issues, both are solid defensive Dman as they play sound positional hockey, play the angles & tie up their checks but both have significant untapped offensive potential, playing aincredible transition games & in 3 years will be almost untouchable. Either would be the #1 Dman in Edmonton now & both could be had significantly undervalue from what it would cost to acquire them in 2 or 3 years.
I see no scenario where Boston moves or loses Hamilton. In fact I would be shocked if he’s not signed before July 1st but even if he hits July 1st & another team makes an offer & Boston matches, they will simply address the cap implications after the fact.
If I’m Boston I don’t move Hamilton & Marchand for Hall & Schultz & this isn’t meant to slight Hall in anyway. I just prefer having those 2 players as opposed to Hall & Schultz. Marchand sees virtually no power play time but generates great production regardless. Bergeron & Marchand are the best 2 way pairing in the NHL. They shut down the other teams best line & score putting up points consistently. Bergeron has the advantage of PP time but Marchands production comes at even strength. 37 of his 42 points this season came 5 on 5. Not to mention those intangibles. Marchand is a player others hate playing against.
Wow, long story for a guy who said it was a pointless discussion! Good points though and as a Bruins fan (who now lives in Edm), I have seen a lot of all the players involved. The Oilers mostly live. If I am the Bruins I don’t make the deal either, as I said and you did too, the number one d-man is the toughest to find. I love Marchand.
I don’t think Hamilton will sign before July 1 unless the B’s open the bank, his agent would not be doing his job if he didn’t leverage the offer sheet, which may come. If it does, the B’s have to match as the return is too low for Hamilton. If it doesn’t come, they will try and sign him to a bridge deal. Which is smart as it helps them manage the cap short term.
They have a cap problem already, Hamilton is asking for 6-7/year.
If they do make the deal, it will be because it gives them the ability to move Lucic and or Erickson for younger D and still have the scoring they need. Include Shultz too, if they can which will be tough as he really struggled last year. Hard to watch.
They are in a bind and all options have to be on the table for the B’s. I hope an offer sheet doesn’t come and they can sign a bridge deal and add some young D prospects for Lucic and or Erickson. Which they are in need of after Hamilton, Morrow, Trotman. Chara and Seidenberg are on the downside.
They are in the still try and win “soon” mode without giving up the future. Tough if not impossible to do in their situation.
Ray Bark.
The Bruins are my favorite team as well but really I’m a fantasy hockey fan. It’s my favorite hobby & if I ever decide to give up my day job it pays me a pretty significant income as Commish & Administrator for what is now 8 fantasy hockey leagues, 2 of which I participate in as a GM.
I love almost all teams I just have some I like more than others. Example even though the Bruins are my favorite team, I cheered for the Canucks to win the cup. I certainly wasn’t crazy enough to wear my Bruins jersey to any of the games or the riot. Everyone should be flash grenaded & tear gassed at least once in their life. Ha-ha!
I’d much rather not engage in hypothetical trade discussions that have zero chance of happening or no merrit. McDavid, Subban, Hall etc. It seems like a waste of time but If I’m going to respond I’m going to try to support my argument with facts.
I see the Canucks play the most live as it’s my closest home team, followed by Calgary & Edmonton essentially equally & then Dallas. I work in the petroleum industry & spend allot of time in Alberta & Houston Texas. I have season tickets to all 4 teams. I see Vancouver 20 to 25 times a year, Calgary & Edmonton 12 to 15 often more & Dallas 10 to 12, it all depends on my travel schedule but I do my best to structure travel when able to catch all when home. I have scalpers that sell my unused tickets or give them to clients & I sell the majority of my playoff tickets for any & all. I go to the odd 1 here & there but the year the Canucks went to the cup I made enough money to pay for my season tickets for 4 years from that 1 cup run.
Go Bruins.
yawn
I listen to Edmonton sports radio every day and have never heard the Hall/Schultz to Boston for Marchand/Hamilton deal but the offer sheet to Hamilton rumour has been floated around here quite a bit. Out of the big 3 : Hall ,Eberle and Hopkins I believe Eberle could be the one to go if it’s part of a deal for a top 4 Dman or 1st string goalie. I seriously doubt Hall is going anywhere. Yakupov to Nashville for Ryan Ellis or Eberle for Seth Jones seems more plausible.
Okposo+ in a deal for Sharp could make sense both clubs. Hawks get a replacement for Sharp at half of the price for one season. Unless this is a tactic for Okposo to sign for a hometown discount. The detached retina more than lesses his value right now. he was not the same in the playoffs
i don’t get why some of these awful contracts can’t just be traded for each other. maybe a new home will help these players.
something like Weiss for Vinny L.
or Richards for Clarkson
how about lupul to ottawa for legwand , greening and cowen. if leafs trade away a lot of there core will need nhl bodies to fill the roster next year and let the kids develop.ottawa gets some immediate cap relief and a top six guy .leafs take a chance on cowen
Shanny will be stupid if he doesn’t maximize the return for Kessel and Phaneuf by holding salary. The Leafs will be years away from needing the full cap room so eat a couple mil on each player for the next four or five years and get your best return. By the time that salary comes off the books you will only then, potentially be a contender requiring the full cap space to pay all these guys you are drafting now during the rebuild. Anything less means you are trying to take a short cut ala Burke meaning another half ass rebuild.
I tend to agree. Assuming the rebuild is in fact a full rebuild then taking salary on Kessel and Phaneuf in order to get the assets they need makes sense. The alternative is taking back salary as part of the deal.This only makes sense if the Leafs get the picks and or prospects they want for the future. This is shaping up to be an interesting draft.
I believe they would be stupid to retain anything, Stamkos is going to sign for at least 12 million, and that’s with a hometown discount if he forgoes testing FA. When that happens, anyone who can score 30+ is going to get paid, it’s going to be the wild west and Kessel will be locked to one of the lower end contracts for a scorer like he is.
Holding salary is to MAXIMIZE. If you have to hold salary just to be able to trade him then no, but that would not be the case with either of these guys. If it means you hold salary to get that extra first rounder or because you are getting a top seven pick plus, then you are crazy not to do it. MLSE is cash rich so that is not a factor. It all comes down to when you will need your maximum cap space in the future which I don’t believe will be for about four years. You could even hold a ton of salary for the first couple years until a lot of these teams which are cap strapped get out of the woods.
I agree leafs24 to get the best return for the rebuild hold some salary I cant understand why everyone is opposed to that? the leafs aren’t gonna be competitive for years and no where near the cup for longer and the money will be off the board by then
bigbear on June 21, 2015 at 6:24 pm
I agree leafs24 to get the best return for the rebuild hold some salary I cant understand why everyone is opposed to that?
Maybe because its a ridiculous idea?
not retaining is a ridiculous idea?? this is an opinion site shticky I can say that too
Stammer for $12m/yr never gonna happen ever.
Not a single player in the entire league can command that.
There is no Bobby Orr or Mario Lemieux or Wayne Gretzky in todays NHL. The day of the dominant player carrying a team to the top single handedly is gone.
30/40 goal scorers get 8+. 50-55 are going to get more than 10 million. Stamkos is going to get paid. People were chuckling about Babcock commanding 50 mill.
if it maximizing means hold some Phaneuf and Kessell salary for a max of three years or taking back a Weiss type contract for three years to get extra picks or prospects that is ok but rebuilds done right start to show promise after that time so then the team needs to concentrate on developing its core with no extraneous distractions of unproductive players or money. That does not mean getting free agents just focussing on the goal and being flexible. I think both could flourish under Babcock but the could also mean four or five good prospects coming in. Right now the prospects are more important.
Pretty sure if you retain salary you retain it until the end of the contract, retaining any money for 7 years would hurt the Leafs most when they are hoping to be competitive in 3-5 years.
You are correct this is why they Leafs will not retain any salary because 6-7 years later those players will still cost them. I see more likely taking a 2-3 toxic contract back that will be off the books when they hopefully turn the corner.
Short sighted…I agree you may bring back a bad contract or possibly 2 depending, but if you hold salary you hold it for the duration of the deal. With Nonis and his brainstorm of holding money on Gunnarsson it means the Leafs could only hold money on 2 more deals this year,(there is no way of getting rid of Lupul or some other far worse contracts) and if they were to hold money on both Kessel and Phaneuf it would mean they could only hold money on 1 more contract for the next 6 seasons…it makes no sense, what if down the road there was a deal to be made where a contending team was willing to give up major pieces and it hinged on the Leafs holding salary similar to the deal between NY and Arizona for Yandle? You are holding money on Phaneuf and Kessel its too big a set of handcuffs going down the road… you take contracts back to make it work not hold salary. Can see how patient some of Leaf nation is going to be with this whole rebuild thing already…lol thinking the quicker they deal them the quicker they are fixed.
so what if la offers toffoli or pearson but says you have to hold 1million a yr your really gonna hold off from retaining salary?? cmon!! just an example
That honestly seems plauseable to you?
so that answer tells me you know your wrong and cant flip it around like usual?? lol
Clue for ya si ce you seem to be lacking in them, why would LA have any interest in Kessel? So lets say what you are saying as your fairy tale example actually came about what make more sense the Leafs hold a mill = 6 or 7 mill or take back say richards = 25 mill now if you think or your arguement revolves around them doing both which = taki g on 32 million in salary making Kessel or Phaneuf a 2 million dollar player for someone else or taking an extra 32 million dollars on in salar you are on crack,
man your dense! of course other parts of the trade would be involved but as a make or break the leafs hold 1million back to get a toffoli type player from whatever team the leafs would not hold a million back??
and your last comment makes no sense what so ever all that you write is just trying to flip everything around I said just an example
I know it would never happen, because the two teams hate each other too much to ever make a hockey trade work. That being said, I think a Perron for Okposo deal would be good for both teams. I have no doubt that the Pens would have to add, but I really don’t think it would have to be all that much. Perron IS the lesser player, but not significantly. He would also be very good in NYI’s top six. Plus, he would likely also cost less to resign. Once again, I know this would never happen, but in a lot of ways, it would be the type of trade that, while carrying a small amount of risk, could turn out VERY well for both teams. Its almost a shame that our rivalry would prevent either team from even considering it.
It’s certainly interesting. I think the only hesitation I would have as a Pens fan is wanting to see what a full season of Perron would look like before moving him out. He played ok after the trade, but much like James Neal did, I think he is likely to find better chemistry next season once he is completely settled in. Again not a bad trade to think about, but timing might not be correct at the moment.
One trade that may interest Leaf fans:
Steve Simmons straight up for any FIFA executive.
Where do I sign? Lol
If I’m the Leafs I take the best deals for Kessel and Phaneuf without holding any salary. I believe a player with a bad contract has to come back ( to me thats a no brainer ) but there is no way in H E double hockey sticks I keep any part of those two on my books.
I think you people who are so desperate to move him would give him away for crap, just to get rid of him. And you’d keep salary too !
While Im at it I predict any move done will not be liked by most. The 2nd guessing will go on forever….
Seriously? you don’t consider holding salary or taking back a bad contract to be basically the same thing?
Okay lets go back and re-post again. Shanny will be stupid if he doesn’t hold salary or TAKE BACK A BAD CONTRACT to maximize the value for Kessel and Phaneuf.
God same thing at the end of the day.
Yes. A bad contract could be 3 yrs or more or less. Holding salary on Kessel or Phaneuf would be a longer commitment.
The idea is to get whoever they have off the books ASAP and not pay them like NYI did to Yashin or still is for DiPetro.
SO what if Okposo is available…do you send Kessel and a 2nd rd pick 2015 to NYI for Okposo and a 2nd rd pick 2016 and 3rd pick 2017??? Frees up a ton of space for TOR and JT gets a guy who can score for him at will for 8 yrs.
TOR can always move Okposo out if they decide he does not meet their budget needs.
What say you?
God, I hope the penguins aren’t seriously looking at Sharp. Honestly he isn’t the right addition to this team, his contract at this point is toxic and the only way I can even hope to begin to like this deal is if kunitz or Scudari is going the other way and there is more of a blockbuster package that has Saad coming to Pittsburgh. With Blackhawks looking to move sharp to sign Saad I can’t see them trading him.
Honestly pittsburgh best move in this one is walking away, let someone else take the gamble on the downgraded play that sharp has been putting forth. Honestly he it’s even in Chicago’s top 10 players anymore. 6 million is a waste for another kunitz.
Worst move..hiring J Ruth
Best move…fire J Ruth
I have been saying that when they hired JR!!
SHARKS ARE GOING TO BUYOUT DOUG WILSON! Then maybe we get a GM in there with some brains. He should be working at a car wash. Then again I’m sure he would miss a bunch of spots so that probably wouldn’t work. He might be better as a cashier. Then again he might screw that up, too! Might give them back more change then they’re supposed to get.
Kessel to the ducks?
Hear me out..
Supposedly nonis is going to ducks after draft. He’s the one who signed kessel. Ducks have a need for scoring and are set up to make a cup run now and for the next few years. They have Wisniewski who is making 5.5 for another 2 years and he could t make the roster in the playoffs. Babcock loved his left and right defensmen and leafs are set down the left.
Ducks have the 27th and a lot of high end prospects.
Just thinking outside the usual teams listed. And kessel would most likely waive to go to a contender in the sun
A trade like that may be of interest and with Phil putting LA on his list it wouldnt surprise me if he was ok with the Ducks or Sharks…Good prospect, a first and a contract that the Ducks probably could do with out. Makes much more sense than what a few of the others are posting here lol
ducks don’t need goal scoring lost to the blackhawks but a lot of good young talent in the pipeline I see them goin after a shutdown dman via trade
That’s fine. Like I said just spitballing. I see Anaheim with more top young d men then wingers but I don’t know there depth chart as well as I should.
Agree 100%
Ducks need quality to go over the top. Goal scoring is not a problem. Kessel is not a difference maker for the playoffs the Ducks need.
ya I think the ducks should just keep going the way they are they already have the highest scoring RW the past 5 years in perry
Kessel 339 points last 5 srasons
Perry 331 points last 5 seasons
youre wrong
Perry plays with Getzlaf
Kessel plays with Bozak
Pa parenteau (+ Habs retain 2 million) +1st and 2nd round pick 2016 for K Okposo
way to much for okposo he is a ufa after this year coming
It would be crazy/stupid for the Leafs to withhold salary in a Kessel or Phanuef deal, since they would have to pay the same amount for the duration of each’s contract. Plus Friedman already said the Leafs are NOT taking back a BAD contract in a Kessel deal.
But rather they would only agree to take back a contract of a serviceable player that they can either keep or has trade value [example: Backes, Okposo], in addition to a draft pick & possibly a prospect.
Simmons is a moron.
Also, lots of ranting so I’ll be brief. Okposo on the block screams Tim Murray to me. Late 1st, Hodgson (retain some $) and some sweetners ought to be fair for a UFA. Thoughts?
I unofficially proclaim all matters referring to Phil Kessel be made a new holiday.
‘GroundHogtown Day’
At anytime u feel your outta the loop simply archive old news n u have the latest new news.
What about this? Both Kessel and Sharp to Coyotes? Bam!