Is the Kessel trade the greatest fleecing in NHL history?
- Thread starter alwayslooking
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Pleeeeeease read the above quote from Manji, it really summons up your hockey knowledge
The Leafs clearly paid too much to get Kessel (picks who turned into Tyler Seguin, Dougie Hamilton and Jared Knight) and got too little in return when they traded him away (Kasperi Kapanen, Scott Harrington, plus spare parts).
Kessel is a great goal scorer, but he was not a really great fit for this team. The Leafs never surrounded him with a supporting cast (namely, a number one centre) to maximize his talents. And the Toronto media basically ran him out of town because, oh no, he's a goal scorer but not a team leader or really friendly with the press. As if putting pucks in the net isn't enough. (One good comparison I read.. Kessel is like Patrick Kane, but we wanted him to be Jonathan Toews). On a line with Crosby or Malkin, Kessel will do very, very well.
Kessel is a great goal scorer, but he was not a really great fit for this team. The Leafs never surrounded him with a supporting cast (namely, a number one centre) to maximize his talents. And the Toronto media basically ran him out of town because, oh no, he's a goal scorer but not a team leader or really friendly with the press. As if putting pucks in the net isn't enough. (One good comparison I read.. Kessel is like Patrick Kane, but we wanted him to be Jonathan Toews). On a line with Crosby or Malkin, Kessel will do very, very well.
So what is wrong with the above post?
It was proven this summer that Kessel ha slightly less value then Hamilton on the trade market. And it's no debate that Seguin is worth more today.
So please tell me what was wrong.
As for my original comment on this thread. I am sure that was due to Ironhead three word responses to my reasoned arguments which he never countered. Of course it was not the greatest fleecing. But it was bad.
That same GM managed to screw up a gift in Seguin.
Although I have heard rumours that both the Hamilton and Seguin move were drive by Beegeron and chars whining to Neely because they did not like them. So who knows maybe it's more a Neely thing.
I would say it had more to do with his lack of conditioning. Was it last summer he didn't even skate once? I doubt he hit the gym either. You could see how exhausted he was after every shift. Half the time just coasting back to the bench on a change causing an odd man rush the other way. He was a -79 in the 6 years in Toronto. That's why media and fans turned against him, wasted potential.
Kessel was never a great goal scorer. He is a one way player who shows signs of brilliance from time to time, he never put that many pucks in the net.
I don't think leading in scoring and points on a team that didn't make playoffs is a huge accomplishment. He was also a -79 over that timeframe...hardly a superstar.
That's not the point. You stated he wasn't that great a goal scorer and rerun disproved you with facts. Yes Kessel had his flaws, he's certainly not a two way player, but pure goal scorers like he are a pretty rare breed in today's NHL. We got fleeced by Pittsburgh on this deal.
He didn't disprove anything. Goal scorers are not limited to wingers. 25 goals last year does not make him a great goal scorer. Ovechkin had 53...more than double. Yes, you could say pittsburg fleeced Toronto, however you could also look at it that toronto got rid of a very expensive cancer in the room that was underachieving on the ice and made the best deal they could.
OK I'll grant you this...he was the best of the worst. Not exactly a game changer. Yes there was a cast of lacklustre performers and he was one of them. Agreed that this year's roster isn't too encouraging but after the past 10 or so years...can they be worse? If they have to take a step back for two forward that seems like a good deal.
PS - I'm a habs fan
PSS - you have a spectacular ass
Lots of good points.
I suspect next year will be different, nobody that is not in shape and giving 100% effort will play. Babcock has total control on the ice and will not hesitate to bench or send guys (anyone) to the press box.
It might be a tough year to watch but I do not expect to see the same lack of effort we saw last year.
I am OK with losing, not OK with guys not even looking like they give a fuck about playing.
A buddy of mine is the father to one of the Leafs and he tells me that Babcock and Lou have both contacted his son more so far this summer than he EVER heard from anyone over the past few seasons.
Message seemed pretty clear, be in shape, and play hard.
We used to consider the Leafs to be the Evil Empire...I honestly have to admire Leaf Nation...it takes a special kind of person to put up with what you folks have for so long. You're either really patient or nuts, maybe a bit of both.I'd say you're tempting me with the 'Dark Side', but sometimes wonder if its Leaf Nation who are the real Evil Empire
How many guys are happy or pissec Phil is in the Stanley Cup Finals ? For me I am kind of happy for the guy ..
Either Kessel or Reimer will be on a Stanley Cup winning team. Good for them. I felt both (same with Phaneurf) were unfairly treated in Toronto.
