Burke's main goal...

[rocky saganuik]

I'm not so sure I give up Kaberle for a dude who already has an apparent back issue, regardless of how highly-touted he is.

I would speculate that the value of one year of Kabs at a reasonable rate is a 1st round pick and not much more than that.  The days of getting a young prospect (J. Carter) and a 1st rounder for Kabs are gone. Getting a first rounder in this draft helps us in 2-3 years, but I think Burkie is looking for players a little further along the development curve (either young veterans or guys on the cusp of the NHL).  CoHo was THN's #1 prospect in 2009.  With that kind of resume, it may be worth a look - and may be worth the risk of giving up Kabs for him.     

[Bonsixx]

Fair enough.

But I just can't help but think of a guy like Eric Daze ... loads of potential, but a bad back forced him into an uber-early retirement. Typically not something that just miraculously goes away.

[nutman]

So maybe all in all we should go with what we have, let kadri join the leafs and learn under fire as well.

[SchenNeuf]

I like the Hodgson idea.  If there is really some issues between him and Vancouver, it would certainly give us a chance at him.

I have a feeling that he will be a target.. nothing to substantiate it, but he seems like the type that Burke would try to acquire..

One scenario would be that they move Kesler for $$ reasons and bring up Hodgson to fill the gap.   its a step back in the shorter term up front, but gives them cap room to address defense.    What they do with Dimetra might play in here as well.  He can move back to centre if they choose (foolishly) to keep him.

I know you want Kesler on our team, however I think Hogson and Vancouver are primed for a divorce... I would take either player, but I get the sense that Vancouver will keep Kesler...

I want Kesler and Hodgson and I think it could happen.   I discussed it in my latest blog entry (cheap plug for a new blog)

http://justanotherleafsblog.blogspot.com/

[nutman]

Sounds like a good deal, but i don't  see van letting both go.

[rocky saganuik]

So maybe all in all we should go with what we have, let kadri join the leafs and learn under fire as well.

I agree with letting Kadri develop, but I would suggest the best way for him to develop is to spend some time on the Marlies to Leafs train for a while, provide some competition for him with respect to a full time gig with the Leafs.  I think Leaf Nation has to lower its expectations for the kid.  He has a chance to be a real good player for a long time, but by placing unreasonable expecations on the kid, or putting the kid into situations where he is going to fail, will not help his development.  I think if the Leafs expect him to a full-time contributor (i.e. #1 pivot) then we have a chance to ruin the kid.  Now if the kid comes into camp, and 'wins' (wins a job against real competition at centre) a job, and exceeds the expectations of the organization, then that is great for us.

I like the Hodgson idea.  If there is really some issues between him and Vancouver, it would certainly give us a chance at him.

I have a feeling that he will be a target.. nothing to substantiate it, but he seems like the type that Burke would try to acquire..

One scenario would be that they move Kesler for $$ reasons and bring up Hodgson to fill the gap.   its a step back in the shorter term up front, but gives them cap room to address defense.    What they do with Dimetra might play in here as well.  He can move back to centre if they choose (foolishly) to keep him.

I know you want Kesler on our team, however I think Hogson and Vancouver are primed for a divorce... I would take either player, but I get the sense that Vancouver will keep Kesler...

I want Kesler and Hodgson and I think it could happen.   I discussed it in my latest blog entry (cheap plug for a new blog)

http://justanotherleafsblog.blogspot.com/

With regards to the proposed transaction:

To Vancouver:
Tomas Kaberle
Mikhail Grabovski
John Mitchell
3rd round pick

To Toronto:
Rights to Ryan Kesler
Cody Hodgson

I would suggest to get Kesler and Hodgson, you would have to be prepared to give equivalent consideration of 3-4 1st rounders (2 1st rounders for Kesler and at least 1 for CohHo).  The package we are proposing in the trade is the equivalent to a first (Kabs), 2 - 3rds (actual 3rd and Grabs), at this point Mitchell is a throw in.

[Sampson]

So maybe all in all we should go with what we have, let kadri join the leafs and learn under fire as well.

I agree with letting Kadri develop, but I would suggest the best way for him to develop is to spend some time on the Marlies to Leafs train for a while, provide some competition for him with respect to a full time gig with the Leafs.  I think Leaf Nation has to lower its expectations for the kid.  He has a chance to be a real good player for a long time, but by placing unreasonable expecations on the kid, or putting the kid into situations where he is going to fail, will not help his development.  I think if the Leafs expect him to a full-time contributor (i.e. #1 pivot) then we have a chance to ruin the kid.  Now if the kid comes into camp, and 'wins' (wins a job against real competition at centre) a job, and exceeds the expectations of the organization, then that is great for us.

I like the Hodgson idea.  If there is really some issues between him and Vancouver, it would certainly give us a chance at him.

I have a feeling that he will be a target.. nothing to substantiate it, but he seems like the type that Burke would try to acquire..

One scenario would be that they move Kesler for $$ reasons and bring up Hodgson to fill the gap.   its a step back in the shorter term up front, but gives them cap room to address defense.    What they do with Dimetra might play in here as well.  He can move back to centre if they choose (foolishly) to keep him.

I know you want Kesler on our team, however I think Hogson and Vancouver are primed for a divorce... I would take either player, but I get the sense that Vancouver will keep Kesler...

I want Kesler and Hodgson and I think it could happen.   I discussed it in my latest blog entry (cheap plug for a new blog)

http://justanotherleafsblog.blogspot.com/

With regards to the proposed transaction:

To Vancouver:
Tomas Kaberle
Mikhail Grabovski
John Mitchell
3rd round pick

To Toronto:
Rights to Ryan Kesler
Cody Hodgson

I would suggest to get Kesler and Hodgson, you would have to be prepared to give equivalent consideration of 3-4 1st rounders (2 1st rounders for Kesler and at least 1 for CohHo).  The package we are proposing in the trade is the equivalent to a first (Kabs), 2 - 3rds (actual 3rd and Grabs), at this point Mitchell is a throw in.

Grabbs only worth a 3rd?  WTF?

[rocky saganuik]

So maybe all in all we should go with what we have, let kadri join the leafs and learn under fire as well.

I agree with letting Kadri develop, but I would suggest the best way for him to develop is to spend some time on the Marlies to Leafs train for a while, provide some competition for him with respect to a full time gig with the Leafs.  I think Leaf Nation has to lower its expectations for the kid.  He has a chance to be a real good player for a long time, but by placing unreasonable expecations on the kid, or putting the kid into situations where he is going to fail, will not help his development.  I think if the Leafs expect him to a full-time contributor (i.e. #1 pivot) then we have a chance to ruin the kid.  Now if the kid comes into camp, and 'wins' (wins a job against real competition at centre) a job, and exceeds the expectations of the organization, then that is great for us.

I like the Hodgson idea.  If there is really some issues between him and Vancouver, it would certainly give us a chance at him.

I have a feeling that he will be a target.. nothing to substantiate it, but he seems like the type that Burke would try to acquire..

One scenario would be that they move Kesler for $$ reasons and bring up Hodgson to fill the gap.   its a step back in the shorter term up front, but gives them cap room to address defense.    What they do with Dimetra might play in here as well.  He can move back to centre if they choose (foolishly) to keep him.

I know you want Kesler on our team, however I think Hogson and Vancouver are primed for a divorce... I would take either player, but I get the sense that Vancouver will keep Kesler...

I want Kesler and Hodgson and I think it could happen.   I discussed it in my latest blog entry (cheap plug for a new blog)

http://justanotherleafsblog.blogspot.com/

With regards to the proposed transaction:

To Vancouver:
Tomas Kaberle
Mikhail Grabovski
John Mitchell
3rd round pick

To Toronto:
Rights to Ryan Kesler
Cody Hodgson

I would suggest to get Kesler and Hodgson, you would have to be prepared to give equivalent consideration of 3-4 1st rounders (2 1st rounders for Kesler and at least 1 for CohHo).  The package we are proposing in the trade is the equivalent to a first (Kabs), 2 - 3rds (actual 3rd and Grabs), at this point Mitchell is a throw in.

Grabbs only worth a 3rd?  WTF?

Grabs is producing at a rate of .6ppg with a $3.00M/year price tag.  What would Leafs fans be willing to give up for other guys who are comparable?

Comparables to Grabs' ppg pace, age & experience -

Valtteri Filppula - Detroit GP- 39 G-7 A-18 -  PTS25 (similiar age and contract - Filppula has more experience)
Rj Umberger - CLB GP67 - G19 - AS25 - PTS 44 ( a little older with a bit a larger contract, slightly more prod'n)
Grabs - GP43 - G7 -AS19 - PTS 26

Both guys are producing at slightly higher clips than Grabs, however they are comparables to him.  What would we be willing to give up for them?  Maybe a 2nd or more likely 3rd would be my guess.

[rash]

We traded a 2nd for him.  Has his value gone up?  His price tag sure has.

[Dintymoore]

That's a horrible deal for the Canucks.. why would they want to trade Kesler?

[nutman]

So maybe all in all we should go with what we have, let kadri join the leafs and learn under fire as well.

I agree with letting Kadri develop, but I would suggest the best way for him to develop is to spend some time on the Marlies to Leafs train for a while, provide some competition for him with respect to a full time gig with the Leafs.  I think Leaf Nation has to lower its expectations for the kid.  He has a chance to be a real good player for a long time, but by placing unreasonable expecations on the kid, or putting the kid into situations where he is going to fail, will not help his development.  I think if the Leafs expect him to a full-time contributor (i.e. #1 pivot) then we have a chance to ruin the kid.  Now if the kid comes into camp, and 'wins' (wins a job against real competition at centre) a job, and exceeds the expectations of the organization, then that is great for us.











Don't worry look at kulemin, they made him work his way up. for the last yr or so he played a defensive game, to learn defense 1st. it worked for him, and i am sure it will work for kadri. i am for putting him on the 3rd line and let him learn.

[Sampson]

We traded a 2nd for him.  Has his value gone up?  His price tag sure has.

But has it gone down to a 3rd?

[nutman]

Grabs is a keeper, he will score plenty for us. i wouldent deal him, and i value him as one of our top guys.

[moon111]

I think Grabs is very close to the pinnacle of his career.  There might be improvement on his defensive play, but haven't seen anything that suggests his offensive game is going to get much better.  He'll fail at doing something and repeat it all season.  Can't stand that in a player.

[Lucky666]

I think Grabs is very close to the pinnacle of his career.  There might be improvement on his defensive play, but haven't seen anything that suggests his offensive game is going to get much better.  He'll fail at doing something and repeat it all season.  Can't stand that in a player.

Pinnacle of his career?  He is only now starting to get some decent wingers to play with in Toronto so I would argure his performace will only increase.  Pretty hard sometimes for a offense first player to look good unless he has the talent around him.