Phil Kessel

[Bender]

Kessel is probably the only Leafs forward with any real long-term value to the team.  That in itself might be an argument to trade him and restart the building process, but I'm inclined to want to keep him around for the long term.

But wanting to trade him based, in some contorted way, on the manner in which he was traded to Toronto is idiotic or on the fact that Burke was fired is idiotic.

Kessel was the first Leaf in ten years to score over 80 points.

Credit were credit is due. I guess if the team was more successful Kessel would be more appreciated. He is definitely not the problem in T.O.

Exactly. He may be a polarizing figure in light of the trade but I could point to almost everyone else on the roster as an issue for losses in comparison to Phil. He came pretty much as advertised. Moreover we'd have to bring back another scorer to replace Phil if we trade him and I don't think it makes sense to go out and replace something you already have instead of going after a true #1 Pivot in someone like Getzlaf.

Call me crazy but I think it's possible this team gets turned around in another 2 years to become a contender, based on the fact that we have trade flexibility, contract flexibility and cap flexibility. If we manage to snag a top flight goaltender like we did with Cujo back in '98 I think things will fall into place.

 

[maplesyrup]

Call me crazy but I think it's possible this team gets turned around in another 2 years to become a contender, based on the fact that we have trade flexibility, contract flexibility and cap flexibility. If we manage to snag a top flight goaltender like we did with Cujo back in '98 I think things will fall into place.

I don't think it's crazy at all and that's probably a big part of why (reportedly) Burke is fuming right now. 

 

[lamajama]

I've said elsewhere that Nonis will prob not have Burke's internal policies and will go all out to land a Perry or Getzlaff

 

[Zee]

I think like most other Leafs fans i'm tired of all the surrounding stuff and just want to see hockey again.  Let's see where this team is after 20 games.  We'll have a clear indication of what work there is to be done by then... IF Reimer can bounce back OR Scrivens can emerge, things will look a whole lot better.

 

[rdowdall]

I've said elsewhere that Nonis will prob not have Burke's internal policies and will go all out to land a Perry or Getzlaff

I think they have to get to free agency first.

 

[Bender]

I've said elsewhere that Nonis will prob not have Burke's internal policies and will go all out to land a Perry or Getzlaff

I say put your chips in for Getzlaf pronto. He had a bad year last year and could be had at reasonable cost and you've got a productive centre for the next 5-7 or so years with a very young core. If it costs something like Grabbo + + then we can slot Bozak in the 2nd, Getzlaf in the first, maybe throw in a guy like Frattin or Kadri or a possible pick. I wouldn't be against giving up prospects only for a potential #1 centre like Getzlaf.

 

[Boston Leaf]

Kessel and a 3rd for Getzlaf?

 

[nutman]

Just remember it wasnt a 2nd over pick nor near that when the deal was done for Kessel, so with the luck we were having the pick would have been 7th or somthing like that if we had kept it.

 

[louisstamos]

Just remember it wasnt a 2nd over pick nor near that when the deal was done for Kessel, so with the luck we were having the pick would have been 7th or somthing like that if we had kept it.

Just a heads up - the 7th overall pick that year was a young man by the name of Jeff Skinner.

 

[Jalili]

Just remember it wasnt a 2nd over pick nor near that when the deal was done for Kessel, so with the luck we were having the pick would have been 7th or somthing like that if we had kept it.

That's not based on anything remotely rational though, that's just a "woe is us" attitude where we as Leaf fans attribute the organization's shortcomings to bad luck.

 

[Jalili]

I've said elsewhere that Nonis will prob not have Burke's internal policies and will go all out to land a Perry or Getzlaff

I say put your chips in for Getzlaf pronto. He had a bad year last year and could be had at reasonable cost and you've got a productive centre for the next 5-7 or so years with a very young core. If it costs something like Grabbo + + then we can slot Bozak in the 2nd, Getzlaf in the first, maybe throw in a guy like Frattin or Kadri or a possible pick. I wouldn't be against giving up prospects only for a potential #1 centre like Getzlaf.

Not that it's based on anything substantial, but I see the Leafs having a better shot at Perry than Getzlaf.

 

[Bender]

Kessel and a 3rd for Getzlaf?

Why trade like for like? I'd do whatever I could to pry a #1 Centre like the Sharks did with Joe Thornton.

 

[Fanatic]

I have not seen Kessel among the boys working out together at the Mastercard Center. Is he still eating like it's a lockout? I wonder (seriously) why he isn't there with his mates.

 

[Zee]

I have not seen Kessel among the boys working out together at the Mastercard Center. Is he still eating like it's a lockout? I wonder (seriously) why he isn't there with his mates.

He's been skating throughout the lockout.

 

[bustaheims]

I have not seen Kessel among the boys working out together at the Mastercard Center. Is he still eating like it's a lockout? I wonder (seriously) why he isn't there with his mates.

He probably just hasn't got into Toronto yet.

 

[Bender]

I have not seen Kessel among the boys working out together at the Mastercard Center. Is he still eating like it's a lockout? I wonder (seriously) why he isn't there with his mates.

Don't understand why anyone would think he's not in game shape. I dunno, I don't view this like the 60s where guys would let themselves go over the summer in general. I can't imagine the coaches condoning that and probably demand some level of conditioning over a layoff.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Serious inquiries usually don't involve speculation on eating habits.

And he was there as of the 6th of January working out with teammates: http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/article/1311239--nhl-lockout-maple-leafs-mingle-with-forgiving-fans

 

[The Red Polar Bear]

I have not seen Kessel among the boys working out together at the Mastercard Center. Is he still eating like it's a lockout? I wonder (seriously) why he isn't there with his mates.

He probably just hasn't got into Toronto yet.

Preparing to play in the KHL all-star game.

 

[Bender]

I have not seen Kessel among the boys working out together at the Mastercard Center. Is he still eating like it's a lockout? I wonder (seriously) why he isn't there with his mates.

He probably just hasn't got into Toronto yet.

Preparing to play in the KHL all-star game.

I know its a joke, but in all honesty this is how crazy speculation probably gets off the ground. I could see people running with this on talk radio. Ugh.

 

[leafsjunkie]

Kessel has been in town for a while, like a few weeks I think skating with the guys at the Mastercard Centre. It's been mentioned by reporters. So yeah this is how baseless rumors start about people. I'm sure Kessel will be in fine shape and we can expect his fairly consistant goal scoring.