Latest on Vladimir Tarasenko, Kevin Shattenkirk, Vincent Lecavalier, Cody Franson and more.
Highlights from Bruce Garrioch’s “Insider Trading.”
Will Vladimir Tarasenko receive an offer sheet?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports of “a lot of talk” yesterday regarding the possibility St. Louis Blues RFA winger Vladimir Tarasenko might receive an offer sheet. While the Blues will match, it could cost them more than what they’d prefer to re-sign Tarasenk.
The Minnesota Wild attempted to re-sign winger Chris Stewart but lack the cap space to do so. It’s rumored Stewart seeks a two-year, $8 million deal.
The Chicago Blackhawks should continue trying to move winger Patrick Sharp.
The Philadelphia Flyers still can’t find any takers for center Vincent Lecavalier and his $4.5 million annual cap hit.
Expect the Ottawa Senators to continue attempts to trade little-used winger Colin Greening and his $2.65 million cap hit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A rival GM could sign Tarasenko to an offer sheet just to mess with the Blues. Not a nice way to do business, but that sort of thing has happened in the past with other clubs…No team should sign Stewart to $4 million annually. He’ll be lucky if he gets over half that on a one-year deal…The Blackhawks only have less than $382K in cap space for 2015-16. They must re-sign Marcus Kruger and fill some holes on defense. Sharp remains a trade candidate in a cost-cutting deal…No surprise the Flyers can’t find any takers for Lecavalier. Unless they pick up some salary or add a decent asset with him in a package deal, they’re stuck with him…Don’t see many takers for Greening.
Shattenkirk on the trade block?
STLTODAY.COM: Jeremy P. Rutherford reports of growing media speculation the Blues could place defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk on the trade block. Shattenkirk’s agent dismissed the reports, calling them untrue. If the club is fielding offers for Shattenkirk, Rutherford believes it could be because they feel they cannot afford to re-sign him when his current contract (worth $4.25 million annually) expires in two years time, especially with Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester taking up considerable cap space. The Blues won’t trade Pietrangelo, while Bouwmeester’s recent decline affects his trade value. Rutherford concludes it’s possible the Blues, under the right circumstance, could consider trading Shattenkirk, who lacks a no-trade clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armstrong apparently wants to shake up his core, but he might not be getting decent offers for guys like T.J. Oshie or Patrik Berglund. He could be listening to offers on Shattenkirk to see what he might fetch, but that doesn’t mean he’ll move the blueliner this summer, if at all. It’ll have to be a solid return.
Latest on the Flyers, Oilers and Stars.
PHILLY.COM: Sam Donnellon reports Flyers GM Ron Hextall will continue trying to trade Vincent Lecavalier to a team near the salary-cap basement willing to absorb his $4.5 million cap hit.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cites a report suggesting the Oilers could either try to trade defenseman Nikita Nikitin by absorbing part of his $4.5 million salary for next season. If defenseman Justin Schultz files for arbitration, the Oilers will get a second buyout window, which they could use on Nikitin.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Mike Heika believes UFA defenseman Cody Franson could help the Stars, but not at the rumored asking price of $5-$6 million per season.
After yesterday feeling better as a bruin fan, the term might be a little long for Belesky but the price is right adding Hayes and dumping Smith and Savard contract solid move. Still need to address the D doesn’t inspirer me very much. Franson would be a nice pickup but not at 5-6 million. As an outsider looking in Pitts won the Kessel trade, can he score 50 alongside Crosby or Malkin?
If he’s to play alongside Crosby he’d better be prepared to go fight for the puck in the corner or that won’t last long.
George give it a rest. Did Kessel dis you in a bar or something, date your daughter & leave her broken hearted? This hate on for Kessel is bizarre. Let it go. Kunitz will do the dirty work just like he always has for Crosby. 211 hits last season for Kunitz, 20th overall in the league for forwards. Dupuis, Hornqvist & Perron are all willing to work for the puck & not shy about going into the corners.
I know your stinging from having egg all over your face as the return for Kessel was extremely significant & more than fair market value for a player of his abilities & disabilities but enough is enough. Let it go already, please.
Tell you what striker. I’ll give it a rest when his frikken name stops popping up in here. Meanwhile, mind your own business. Last I looked I didn’t need your authority to post a comment.
Oh, and if you perceive what they got as “extremely significant” then here’s a hint for you: your elbow is located about midway between your shoulder and your wrist. Your ass is that large protrusion just below your lower back. In short, I don’t need – or want – advice from Mr. Windbag.
I like the return for Toronto. Not an easy contract to move & according to your previous posts he wouldn’t fetch a used Lada & even then they would have to eat 1/2 his contract.
Kapanen was a 1st round pick 22nd overall in 2014. Currently 30th on Dobber’s prospect list. He has been raising all year. Played well in Finland last season his 2nd season playing with men on a brutal team. He came over late played 4 games in the AHL scoring a goal & 2 points, then 3 goals & 5 points in 7 playoff games. The Forcaster has him as a Fantasy Future Impact player.
They also got Harrington, a 2nd round pick in 2011 54th overall, a sure fire NHL Dman with top 4 potential as a defensive Dman, Spalling a solid 3rd line LW or C a 1st & a 3rd & Toronto made Pittsburgh’s cap hit only 6.75 million per for the next 7 years. Toronto did give up a 2nd in fairness so the difference between Pittsburgh’s 1st & Toronto’s 2nd may be nominal.
I still have concerns as to whether Pittsburgh can make the playoffs with their current roster & D but getting Kessel has to have helped.
You don’t think that’s a good deal for a player who had a contract you kept telling us was untradable, no 1 would want, etc?
Sigh. I knew you couldn’t respond without writing a tome. So here’s a tome back at ya. Sure fire? Every one of these guys going back to 2000 were high to medium 1st round picks who were “sure fire” and fizzledRick DiPietro – 1st overall to NYI in 2000;
Lars Jonsson D – 7th overall to Boston in 2000;
Alexander Svitov – 3rd overall to TB in 2001;
Stanislav Chistov RW – 5th overall to Anaheim in 2001;
Petr Taticek C – 9th overall to Florida in 2002;
Hugh Jessiman RW – 12th overall to NYR in 2003;
Cam Barker D – 3rd overall by Chicago – 2004;
Al Montoya G – 6th overall to the NYR in 2004;
Gilbert Brule – C 6th overall by Columbus in 2005;
Benoit Pouliot LW – 4th overall by Minnesota in 2005;
James Sheppard – 9th overall to Minnesota – 2006;
Thomas Hickey D – 4th overall by L.A. in 2007;
Zach Hamill C – 8th overall by Boston in 2007;
Nikita Filatov LW – 6th overall by Columbus in 2008;
Scott Glennie C – 8th overall to Dallas in 2009;
Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson LW – 10th overall to Edmonton in 2009;
Calvin de Haan D – 12th overall to NYI in 2009;
Brett Connolly RW – 6th overall to TB in 2019;
Dylan McIlrath D – 10th overall to NYR in 2010;
Duncan Siemens D – 11th overall to Colorado in 2011;
hey stricker let it go he can’t help it he was wrong alias s simmons i suppose he will call us trolls now
Oh look, John’s fishing for an ally.
striker… that was not a good return even I thought we shoulda got more and I don’t like kessel
BigBear, Could not agree more. Pitt is the definite winner from an assets perspective.
What this does for the Leafs is rid them of most of the $8 m cap hit…………gives them flexibility.
Tell me about the rabbits George…
I agree, I like the moves the Bruins made yesterday. Just read Damine Cox’s comments on Sportsnet and he felt the Bruins were losers yesterday and a lot of commenters agreed with him. Not sure if they watched Smith last year in Boston but nothing he did IMO deserved the contract he recd’. I say we were fortunate to rid ourselves of it and Hayes has impressed me anytime I seen him, albeit a bottom 6 player. Still don’t like the Hamilton move or Rinaldo!! but others appear to be smart moves provided they aren’t trying to up their speed.
Bruins were better off signing Downie versus Rinaldo trade.
Probably better off with Downey, yes, but at what price versus 850K for two years of Rinaldo. Guy MUST get his act together, however.
Agree with you.
IMO Sweeney’s goals this past week were to:
1. Clear cap space;
2. Improve the dressing room (rumors all last season that the room was a problem even before the Hamilton rumors); and
3. Improve toughness.
Now he must improve the D.
The team now has a net crasher on each line, which is a huge improvement.
I see the Lucic trade as a big win. In essence, for Lucic, Sweeney got:
1. Two first round picks;
2. Colin Miller;
3. Sean Kuraly; and
4. Cap room to sign Belesky for a $2 million less contract than Looch would get next year.
How can you not like that?
Granted he overpaid for Rinaldi and got too little for Hamilton.
Time will tell on the reaches in the draft.
The return for Lucic is a big win ONLY if those picks pan out. If not, Sweeney will be pilloried for years. In the short term, the return weakens the Bruins.
They would not be weakened next year if Looch played as badly as he did this year.
34 year Bruins fan & I’m done. This is the 3rd major asset Boston has moved with out staging a proper bidding war. Thornton, Seguin & Hamilton. The Bruins just set themselves back 3 to 5 years.
What Sweeney has done with the exception of the Lucic trade was brutal, which works for me, I never liked Lucic’s position as a top 6 forward or contract. Boston was built to win now. Now you have Chara, Seidenberg, Krejci & to some extent Bergeron & Rask all signed to longer term deals; 3 or more, for big money to mentor a group of kids that don’t have a hope of making the playoffs for years now.
What a mess. I’m done & moving on but I admire your loyalty. The Bruins lost mine.
Does this look like a playoff team to you?
Belesky, Krejci, Eriksson.
Marchand, Bergeron, Connolly.
Pastrnak, Spooner, Hayes.
Rinaldo, Kelly, Talbot.
Chara, Seidenberg.
McQuid, Krug.
Trotman, Miller.
Morrow, Miller.
Rask, Smith.
not only weakens them it does not address the defence which is one year older and slower . return on looch was great .return on hamilton was a joke sweeney his grandmother and great grandmother were all mugged in that trade . what team tries to rebuild through the draft yet keeps all of its oldest players with long expensive contracts . by the time these pics r ready rest of team will be over the hill get ready for lottery pics in the next two or three drafts bruins will not be making the playoffs
Lucic has been on the decline. I think it was a pretty good return. Yet the money retain was really dumb. Prolly the only way they could of got that return though.
I’m not convinced this really improves the Kings at all.
We shall see…
Idk, I really like Senyshyn but everyone had him going in the second. I don’t mind that Sweeney took him, it was the fact he didn’t trade down a few spots to pick up an extra second to get him. Also getting rid of Hamilton without having a bidding war wasn’t the greatest. But I like the Belesky cap hit, and I’m ultimately jealous at some of your draft picks (Senyshyn and Carlo mostly) Sweeney’s been hit and miss in my book.
As a Kings fan, I will do that trade ALL DAY long for a proven player of Lucic’s ilk. He is a one of a kind player that fits the Kings mold perfectly, and like I said the other day Miller was never going to make the Kings roster ahead of other young D like Forbort. Also it sounds like the Sharks were going to offer sheet Jones anyways, so we would of only gotten a 2nd rounder.
As for the Bruins it is a good haul, but like Lyle said, ONLY if the unproven picks and prospects pan out, if not then watch out!
I think it’s a fair package for sure, unless he walks next summer.
But he didn’t really get Beleksey for 2 million less with the Bruins keeping, I believe, $2.7 million of Lucic’s contract this season. So instead, they’re paying the total of Lucic’s contract PLUS some for a flash-in-the-pan player who had one good season.
I was thinking along the same lines, with the salary helld on Lucic amd the add of Belesky really itsnot saving a y cap at all….granted if the picks turn out and if Belesky produces its a pretty smart move, but for now its just kinda wait amd see. Not a criticism just the way things are with alot of what on the past week or so. Still dont understand Rinaldo tho thats not adding toughness thats adding pk time
Regarding Looch’s salary, I’m not talking about this year, I’m talking more about next year, when he gets $7 million a year, and Belesky gets only 3.8. Looch is a better player, but not by that much.
Moreover, the Broons wouldn’t be able to afford Looch’s salary next year, and he’s not worth $7 million. Hence another reason to trade him now.
AND, they would get NOTHING for him if we had walked next summer as a UFA.
OR they could have moved him at the deadline after a bit of a bidding war drove up the price. And while I don’t love Lucic, he’s been a little more productive and a little more consistent than Beleksey has been, money not withstanding
Lyle, you were bang on the money saying the Leafs would have to eat salary to move Kessel – credit to you on that.
What a terribel trade from the Leafs perspective. Scary to think what they will have to pay to move Phaneuf, Lupul and Bozak now.
Tough to be a Leafs fan, as always.
Dave Naylor had a good video on Kessel yesterday – “An Awkward Marriage” (http://www.tsn.ca/video/the-awkward-marriage-1.323006)
I think some people will say for a top 10 in scoring perennial 30 goal scorer that The Leafs didn’t get enough in return. I think playing in Pittsburgh where he won’t be the focal point of the other teams game plan and even the media is a great situation for Kessel – probably the best team for him to go to right now as everyone will still be wanting a sound bite from Crosby before him every night…
I look at it this way:
How successful was the team in the 6 years they had Kessel? How many playoffs did they qualify for in those 6 years. He has had two 80 point seasons in those 6 years. He was a -10 during one of them and a -4 on the other.
Just getting another team to pay 85% of his salary for the next 8 years is good enough for me – anything else is gravy. Addition by subtraction. You can’t have your star player floating in one end of the ice and set a good example for your youth movement coming up. Like it or not that would set the tone for the young guys…
You said it yourself: he’s going to thrive in Pitt alongside Crosby or Malkin. Probably 40+ goals the next 3 years. The guy put up 37 with Bozak as his center…
What’d they give up? Basically nothing that will impact their next few years. They also got the Leafs to eat salary for 7 years and lottery protected the pick plus got a 2nd to boot.
It’s crazy one-sided.
The good news for the Leafs is that the rebuild is in full swing and they are looking good for a top 5 pick next year.
You have to factor in the timing of the deal though. Phil had a terrible season last year – he’s a floater with a bloated contract. How many teams were in the market for his services? I see having him on the roster by training camp as being a total failure. The salary The Leafs are eating is next to nothing. Pittsburgh got a dynamic but one dimensional player. There are plenty of other players in the league I’d rather pay that money to who would be worth it. It’s an arbitrary argument for sure but as a Leaf fan I thought we did well…
He is one dimensional but it would work in Pittsburgh’s system. He would have a premier two way center on his line and D that can actually get the puck to him; hello Letang!
The salary isn’t much but keep in mind that the Leafs can now only hold salary back on one more trade. They need to trade out Dion, Bozak and Lupul (maybe even robidas), I don’t see any of those happening without salary retained. That’s why the 1.25 is bigger than it seems.
I agree that overall if the idea was to get rid of Kessel then the deal makes sense.
With so much cap room to play with it wasn’t the worst idea to just keep him and at least make the Leafs games watchable. As my post a little later on, what if Marner/Nylander or even Kadri step it up under babcock? Would Phil be better? More motivated? What makes more sense from a gamble point of view? Thats exactly what kapanen and harrington are at the moment
Don’t get me wrong though, your point is well taken swiss and it makes sense
Great assessment swiss2793 – but be prepared to be called a “LeafsHater” for merely voicing what is obvious to all but the blinkered denizen of LeafsNation.
LOL – if my buddies could only see this – me, being called a LeafsHater. I bleed blue – I’m no hater – I’m just one of the millions Shanny described as “starving” or “begging” for a true organizational rebuild. To me, a big part of that was getting rid of Phil. Let him coast on someone else’s team…lol
“let him coast on someone else’s team …”
And that underscores the point some seem to overlook when pointing to his 30+ goal years. He did that while floating and doing virtually no back-checking/hitting – and successive Leafs coaches either let him get away with it (“Randy lets me do what I want” – remember that famous comment?) or couldn’t get him to change (Wilson: “You never change a leopard’s spots. You paint over some of those spots, but they’ll eventually shine through the paint and that’s just too bad.”
It will be interesting to see how long Pittsburgh puts up with that attitude IF he doesn’t change. He might. Stranger things have happened. But I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. And if he does embrace a responsible two-way game and goes into the corners on the fore-check, will that affect his goal totals? We’ll soon see. (oops, I didn’t clear this comment with striker and taz)
As a Leaf fan I wouldn’t say it was a terrible trade, but I did expect more. I’m not completely ready to turn on this new regime yet but nothing they’ve done so far (outside of hiring Babcock) has made me trust their decision making.
So, getting rid of Clarkson didn’t make you the least bit happy?
Back when some of us thought the term handed to Clarkson was ridiculous (both Ottawa and Edmonton offered him more money but only 3 years) you and others like you jumped all over us as “Leafshaters” who didn’t know what we were talking about. Now you think getting rid of him was a major coup.
I didn’t jump over anyone, nor did I refer to anyone as a “Leaf hater”, George. I was just pointing out that the Leafs ridding themselves of an atrocious deal should be something else this current management regime has “done right”
Of course getting rid of Clarkson made me happy, but that had little to do with Shanny, Hunter and Dubas. Columbus approached Nonis about swapping, I don’t consider that move part of this new regime.
I think I speak for the entire Leaf nation when I say that all of us hated that signing as soon as it happened. That kind of payout for Clarkson was beyond ridiculous. Similar to how I felt about Jeff finger and Grabo to an extent.
Interesting Dan39. I always like to hear other peoples perspective. I like the return for Toronto & they only had to eat 1.2 million per for 7 years. Kapanen is a solid A prospect, not necessarily a stud but he was thought to be a top 10 pick potentially last season that slipped to 22nd. Harrington will be a soft # 4 defensive Dman; drafted in the 2nd round 54th overall in 2011, a 1st & 3rd, although Toronto gave up a 2nd. Haven’t been able to find out if it was their 2nd or Pittsburgh’s 2nd acquired from the Winnik trade.
Trading a player making big money on a long term deal in today’s NHL is no easy feat. Few can afford to take on these types of contracts & that impacts a players trade value significantly trade options.
Ryan Kesler & Vancouver’s 3rd round pick this season 84th overall moved for, Bonino, Sbisa, a 1st 24th over all last season; McCann, & a 3rd last season, 85th overall moved to NYR to acquire Dorsett. The 2 3rd’s that switched hands between Van & Ana were a wash; 84th & 85th, just in 2 different draft years. I think most would say that given a choice between Kesler & Kessel most would choose Kesler. Especially factoring in Kesler only had 2 years at left at 5 million at the time of that deal.
Not me as Kessel’s deal may look cheap for Pittsburgh at 6.8 moving forward & I’m curious to see how much Kesler is going to command on his next contract. I would think at least 7 million for 5 years! Given a choice of Kesler or Kessel, I would prefer Kessel even at 8 mil per. Now before many of you start losing your minds lets wait until we see what Kesler gets for $ & term on his next deal & how Kessel plays playing with 2 of the best players in the world & on what should be 1 of the best power plays in the league. Putting Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Letang & who ever is lucky enough to lock down that 5th spot seems unfair to the rest of the NHL.
TSN says “Pittsburgh will trade its first-rounder in 2016 to Toronto if it makes the playoffs and get its second-rounder back from the February deal for Daniel Winnik. If the Penguins miss, the swap will happen in 2017, and if they fail to qualify for the post-season each of the next two years it’s a 2018 second-rounder going to the Leafs and nothing more in return.”
Kessel will win the Rocket Richard if he stays healthy…..Book it.
Bouwmeester should be a trade candidate. I like the guy but he has a muffin of a shot and paired with Pietrangelo there is no real threat from the back end. I think his cap hit is reasonable too so I think he looks movable.
This is a big year for St. Louis coming up. A guy like Kessel could have helped, especially at 85% of his contract. I don’t see them proving that they can be a different team next year, should be interesting.
Bouwmeester’s in decline now, he’s what 32? He’s been injured more in the last couple years and just doesn’t have the speed to keep up from what I’ve seen.
I don’t think St. Louis would get a good return at all…Shattenkirk on the other hand would draw a LOT of interest and would get a very good package back, I don’t see how that helps St. Louis who’s in a win now position though…
My only comment on the disastrous one sided Kessel trade yesterday, is the Leafs need to hire a GM before making any more trades.
You should put your name in the ring as you obviously analyze talent better than most professional scouts.
He recognizes crap before he steps in it – unlike some among LeafsNation who see only the silver lining.
Indeed. They made some good moves in FA signings and what looked to be good moves at the draft, but this trade was a huge letdown and it raises the question of competence.
Basically, didn’t get anything back that will be meaningful – late first who knows, Kapanen was drafted late in the first then went sideways who knows, Harrington is a borderline NHLer…
And then they gave back a 2nd, agreed to lottery protect, and retained salary – that was purely Rutherford taking advantage of an inexperienced group.
I strongly disagree (see my post above). Watch The Penguins still not make it out of the first couple rounds of the playoffs and then watch Rutherford sweat when he faces the media. Phil will play well for the first half of the season – then he’ll fade back to his old ways. Doesn’t matter if you score 5 goals a game if they give up 6 because they can’t stop the other team’s top line and their D is soft…
Really Im a Kessel fan but, Rutherford that experienced GM is going to jave a real tough time if that Kessel deal dosent work out….there was alot of risk there for both teams.
If it doesn’t work out? You expect Kessel’s production to go down alongside Crosby/Malkin?
Not really but Rutherford may have missed the mark on accessing needs. Crosby and Malkin should produce enough offense with a less expensive froward…what about being soft easy to play against and suspect D does Kessel solve?
I expect Kessel’s goal scoring production to increase but I would be very surprised if Crosby/Malkin’s +/- doesn’t inversely go down. Phil will be Phil – he’s not gonna change… Sure he may very well win a Rocket Richard trophy or too but you think Crosby will care if it doesn’t come with a Cup or two?? WINNING is what you should be judged on – just looking at that alone how does Phil stand up? Phil doesn’t win Crosby another cup…
Rutherford is also the guy who saddled Carolina with the Semin contract.
Your opinion.
Time will tell.
I agree that they didn’t get full value for Kessel. Jones is a backup for the best defensive team in hockey, only played 34 games and gets a 1st rounder.
kessels a cancer, just trade him is a win for the leafs
WANTED : A bag of slightly used practice pucks. Looking to trade SLIGHTLY
used 35 year old nhl centerman. ANY interested parties PLEASE
contact 1 800 439- 8255 and ask for RON…Thank you.
Leafs have now acquired quite a few assets from various trading of picks at the draft and the Kessel deal with more deals to come to rid themselves of Bozak and Lupul. Adding a piece like Shattenkirk would be a nice building block for the Leafs D. I would like to see the Leafs move one of there assets on the roster and maybe a pick and grab Shattenkirk.
They will have to move a pick WITH Lupul to get rid of him. Trading Phil was the easy part compared to moving Dion and Lupul! They might just have to burn off a few more years of these guys contracts before they can move them at all.
My last post on Kessel.
All you people who feel Toronto didnt get enough are the same ones who feel he was a lousy, no good floater who didnt deserve his salary and had to go.
What do you people expect ? Seriously ? McDavid ?? You expect the rebuild to be done with one move, that being Kessel ??
I know they may have done better but for crying out loud you guys have already buried Kapinen and Harrington.
For those who are so much in the know, Toronto is still looking for that GM , give them a call.
I would say as an outsider looking in (None Leaf Fan) I am shocked they didnt get anyone to play in their top 6 at all in that deal. The prospects are marginal at best and the draft picks are a crap shoot. The worst part of the deal IMO is the lottery protected pick.
I agree that Rutherford seemed to take advantage of an inexperienced group and got the better end of the deal now and in the future, because Kessel at $6.7 will be incredible easy to move for a better return then they gave up if things dont pan out in the next 2 years.
I never, ever, ever thought I’d agree with anything Steve Simmons says but I agree 100% with his views in his article in today’s Toronto Sun:
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/07/01/leafs-were-sick-and-tired-of-kessel
I am starting to hate him.
Who is who Steve, who’s ” next ” and who’s ” nothing. ”
Way to burn bridges on guys who you know will be busts based on your incredible knowledge.
If people thought he represented the Toronto media then people must think the media in TO are all tools.
Thank goodness Toronto has others to read or listen to then this fool.
What part of his article do you see as inaccurate?
His attitude. And his condesceding tone. And the fact he has basically written off all the parts in the Kessel deal.
I believe he thinks he’s the Toronto GM. But he has lots of competition from some here.
His “attitude?” His “condescending tone?” What the hell, he’s never pretended to be Pollyana – to write his articles where being critical was necessary but couch it in kindness. Show me a reporter like that and I’ll show you a hopeless fan in disguise. As for “writing off all parts” in the deal, last I looked/heard on TV, he’s hardly alone. They were, in a word, mediocre returns for Shanahan whose goal – and Babcock’s – was clearly to get his presence out of the dressing room. Otherwise he’d still be a part of the team.
George
here you go
http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2015/7/2/8887811/keith-olbermann-tears-up-steve-simmons
You’re referring me to someone’s blog! And some Yank I’ve never heard of before I opened that link? I guess one Yank doesn’t like a Canadian ripping another Yank. Gee. That’s too bad.
I am a Kessel fan and always have been. He didn’t work out in Leaf land is an interesting statement. The guy was the only good thing about this team with Kadri being a close second. JVR is the future but he isn’t nearly as great to watch as the other two. I’m a Leafs fan but when all said and done I watch hockey for entertainment as does pretty much every other fan. Kessel was basically the only bright spot in an otherwise lousy team.
There is no way to tell what impact the picks/prospects will have on the roster but other than the usual haters we can easily assume the Kessel is going to light it up in Pittsburgh.
I don’t see this as a risk for Pitts at all; Kessel is a proven scorer in the regular season, playoffs (however limited this experience may be) and even for the US national team.
Pitts further protected themselves by lottery protecting their first rounder.
There is no way Pittsburgh regrets this trade and there are many ways in which the Leafs might.
There was potential to keeping Kessel in case Marner/Nylander come of age quickly or under Babcock Kadri develops into the 1C he was originally projected to be. With Marner, Nylander, Kadri and even JVR to some extent being set up guys I don’t see who puts the puck in the net for this team in the next few years.
Rebuild is a great word, gives the upper management license to suck with no guarantees.
I just don’t see how this deal will ever be justified, they gave up a star scorer without addressing any real needs. This is a shot in the dark where somehow Harrington exceeds all expectations. Kapanen is a long shot, Spaling is like any other 3rd liner easily available and with the pick being lottery protected I don’t see a home run there either.
As a Pens fan, I couldn’t agree more – it’s the fans and media who crapped on the guy that drove his value down and are doing the same with the return on this trade. I am overjoyed to have Kessel, but I realize that even we aren’t done yet and neither is the Leafs. The one thing most don’t seem to want to talk about is the $6.8 million saved on the deal – are they going to use this to attract others players as a replacement? For example, what’s stopping the Leafs from using this money to run an offer sheet on Tarasenko? If this scenario occurred and was successful, they would have instantly won this deal due to replacing Phil with a younger, talented player as well as the additional depth they’ve brought back. Let’s face it, if they didn’t move Kessel, they would have just wasted his talents by not having the proper depth and core with him – this trade helped address those two problems a bit more.
Dino’s comment was important to note as well – the cap reduced cap hit allows them to move Kessl and potentially get better value if it doesn’t work out. The flexibility is great here.
Yeah, a Tarasenko offer sheet would definitely make up for it. St. Louis will match for sure but it would be the way to go – good suggestion there AJ.
Shanny, could do this and then hire a new GM to mend relations with the Blues after.
Thanks – I thought that with this team rebuilding at this point, he would be the perfect asset to use that new found cap space on and that would grow with the core they are assembling. It’s something reasonable, that would create a shockwave and some positive buzz for this team and shows the rest of the players they are bringing in or trying to sign, that they are committed to building a winner and are going to do whatever it takes to accomplish it. The problem now is the Oshie trade which I believes opens some excess cap space for them.
As for the Blues, they aren’t a divisional opponent, much less a conference one and they don’t have a huge trade history with them, so I frankly wouldn’t even worry about mending relations with them. The Leafs don’t have much to loose anyway – no one really for another team ticked off and/or the Blues to try to RFA. I’d say go for it and make a splash.
AJ – good luck. Thanks for taking him. Hope he works out better for you than he did for us… or Boston…
P.S. What’s the over/under on the number of doughnuts thrown on the ice the first time he’s back on the ice in a Penguin’s uniform in the ACC?
Fair enough. I take it like this which I fount at quainthockey’s website
In the last 5 years – Kessel has 339pts in 379gp. That is good for 8th in the NHL and in front of some very good talent, including every other Bruin or Leaf player. With him added to our elite team, I think he’s going to do just fine.
As for O/U, I would rather do his goals this season while riding shotgun with Sid or Geno – I believe an interesting starting place would be O/U 42 goals.
A couple very good poi ts brought up here and this will be my last post about Kessel aswell, its done I still dont love it or hate it but…
Maybe the biggest thing about the reurn people are missing is the cap space, they nearly jabe 14 ill in space now with 20 players sigened amd 2 rfas going to arbitration, for a team thats rebulding they recieved 2 young plauers who despite the contrary view sittll have upside 1 is jist turned 19 they get 2 picks and a depth player to use so they give some time to develop to others….all very i portant things to rebuild properly couple young player couple more picks depth amd capspace.
Funniest thing….few days back I said if Simmons wrote for any other media in north america he would be loathed by that city…after his latest dumb article Kieth zolberman ripped him to shreds today on ESPN calling him worse than Redskins owner Dan Snyder among other things…he also had some words about MLSE management that were pretty appropriate. ..if you get a chance watch it its probably on the PPP site…
but ya its probably just Leaf fans not wanting to hear the truth.
who got taken advantage of Pens did, once kessel starts crying and whining, They’ll wish to trade him to another sucker
In that event, only if they too withhold at least $1,250,000 of his cap hit – maybe even $2 mil in that event.
Right, Kessel is a 5 mil/year player. Haha, wouldn’t be a normal day unless George spews hate on anything Leafs related, past, present or future. You do have the right to your opinion and I can respect that; even if it shows up everyday and sounds exactly the same. Hey, if you say it often enough maybe everyone will start thinking the way you do.
I could not possibly care LESS what others think. And once more I reiterate – I am NOT a Leafs hater – what I take issue with is unrealistic assessments of the worth of a bunch from their core that skated them to 27th in a 30-team league, and as long as some continue to post trade ideas that I find ludicrous I will respond. So “haha” excuse me from exercising my right of free speech.
I see you ate your favourite cereal ‘condescending crunch’ this morning.
Freedom of speech for everyone! Even the haters who want to hide it under the veil of being knowledgeable instead.
Additionally, haha….you are excused.
What the hell are you mumbling about? When have I ever come across as anything BUT someone who believes his goal scoring skills were far outweighed by his negatives? Shanahan – and you – should just be eternally grateful he won’t be around any longer to be a lightning rod for all that is wrong with the roster. The roster, by the way, that got them to 27th place and a goal differential of -51!
That’s not condescending buddy. That’s just brutal truth.
hahahaha. I`m ultra grateful. This has certainly had a direct impact on my day to day life. Nothing can stop me now.
If something like that had an “impact” on your daily life – it can’t be much of a life. In the end, he’ll be $56 million richer in 7 years and you and I will still be struggling to keep up with Wynne’s ever-increasing taxes.
yes steve
big win for Bruins was the 1st rd pick for goalie Jones it could be a top 10 pick…B’s did nice job yesterday team is quicker and stronger to the puck got to get more goals from the better players , saw almost every Bruin games last season and Smith is a very soft player who doesn’t show up all the time…still need a top 4 D-Man and and maybe two either UFA or trade…..like to see them move Kelly in a package of players or picks
Alls quiet on the Eric Fehr front.
Wonder if he’d be a good fit in Toronto.
With the $2M bonus that Philly just paid-Vinny’s contact is now somewhat palatable to a budget team or a team trying to reach the floor. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hextall gets a taker-or if Vinny gets fed up-voids the contract and signs with a team where he can play
Not sure he can do that under the terms of the NHLPA, or else Luongo would have done it back in Vancouver (“My contracts sucks”).
He is allowed to. The $2M signing bonus just paid would apply to the 2015/2016 cap. Whether he wants to give up the balance of his guaranteed money is the question
Would you leave millions on the table for the outside chance you could resurrect your career somewhere else short-term? He is 35 years old!
Jason Demers would be a nice add for the Bruins..who is schedule to be a UFA after next season
Rumors here in Boston are the B’s making a push for Shattenkirk, Oshie and maybe Backes – the talk here mostly on the radio is Eriksson, one of the B’s first round picks next year and maybe Joe Morrow or a combo of other prospects for Shattenkirk and Oshie. Other talk also had Krejci going to the Blues in that deal with Backes coming the other way too.
Lyle, this just popped up re Voynov and Marty St. Louis:
Slava Voynov has accepted a plea deal on his domestic assault charges and will spend 90 days in jail and serve three years probation. Voynov plead no contest to a misdemeanor count of corporal injury to a spouse. A violation of his probation would increase his sentence to 364 days. It’s not clear what will happen after that for Voynov. He might face deportation and the Kings might also attempt to void his contract, as they recently did with Mike Richards. Currently, Voynov is suspended by both the team and the league.
Martin St. Louis has decided to hang up his skates.
“I have been blessed to play for 16 years in the NHL; it has been an amazing ride,” St. Louis said. “I would like to thank the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers organizations and owners for providing me the opportunity to play the sport I love for so many years.” St. Louis had 391 goals and 1,033 points in 1,134 games with the Calgary Flames, Lightning, and Rangers. He won the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay award after scoring 38 goals and a league-leading 94 points in 82 contests back in 2003-04. He won the Art Ross Trophy again more than a decade later with 60 points in 48 contests in the lockout shortened 2013 season. He’s also a three-time Lady Byng winner and a Stanley Cup champion.
Even just being on probation may limit him playing in the US-ie) not allowed to cross the border into Canada
Voynov won’t be deported, most likely the reason his lawyers accepted the plea deal was so he could continue to play hockey in North America. By the time his injury is healed the 90 days in jail will be up and I fully expect the NHL and Kings to reinstate him into the league. whether the Kings keep him or trade him is another question, but given they just lost Sekera I expect they will keep him around. Yes he is a huge DB for what he did but, he is an excellent d man and the Kings proved last year that they need him.
So, basically, talent trumps character. Sort of like Sean Avery all over again – only worse. A wife beater.
Eberle for Shattenkirk straight up 1 for 1 trade. And yeah im an Oilers fan and like Eberle but Shattenkirk is that good imo
Did not like the Oshie deal when announced. But not bad upon further review. I did not realize he was already 28. Blues got heavier I guess and another goalie in the revolving door.
Sabres lock up Ryan O’Reilly