Kin
New member
So I was listening to the Marek vs. Wyshinski podcast and they were talking about the Ryan Johansen drama playing out in Columbus right now. Specifically, they related it to the similar issues Tortorella had with Vince Lecavalier(taking away the C, benching him) when they got together.
Anyways, something that Jeff Marek mentioned during this which I'd never heard before, or at the very least never heard stated with the certainty that Marek said it, was that the situation with Lecavalier/Tortorella got so bad that the Lightning worked out a deal with the Leafs that was:
To Toronto: Lecavalier
To Tampa: Kaberle*, Antropov and either a 1st or Brad Boyes(TB's choice).
According to this retelling, the deal was done, the i's dotted and t's crossed and Tampa just had to call and finish it when Jay Feaster made one last attempt to salvage the relationship and the Lightning went on to win the cup.
Anyways, it got me thinking. How would that have played out for the Leafs? What would have been the ripples. I suppose the temptation would be to say things would have been better, after all Lecavalier was in his early 20's and on his way to a near HOF career as the kind of player the Leafs have been looking for these last 10 or so years.
But Lecavalier's best years correspond with Kaberle's pretty nicely. When Lecavalier was a 50 goal scorer, Kaberle was a 60+ point defenseman playing 25+ minutes a night. Antropov blossomed into a pretty good 2nd line center himself(even if the Leafs gave him away right when he hit his stride).
So what are the possible ramifications:
- Does the Nolan trade happen? Boyes or the 1st is gone but do they use someone like Steen instead?
- If not, do the Leafs keep Boyes? Keep their first rounder in the incredible '03 draft? Quinn would have had that pick and was on a bit of a roll draft wise.
- For that matter, if the Leafs make a better showing in the '03 playoffs, does Ferguson get hired at all?
- I assume they still trade for Leetch but maybe, without Kaberle, they use those assets on a longer-term blueline solution?
- With Lecavalier sort of a Sundin-esque player, does the team move on from Mats earlier?
Anyways, that's the stuff that's been running through my mind today. I doubt Lecavalier makes a huge difference. I don't think he alone changes either of the pre-lockout Flyers series' and, like I said, I think post-lockout the trade is maybe a push valuewise. But an interesting thought experiment nonetheless.
Anyways, something that Jeff Marek mentioned during this which I'd never heard before, or at the very least never heard stated with the certainty that Marek said it, was that the situation with Lecavalier/Tortorella got so bad that the Lightning worked out a deal with the Leafs that was:
To Toronto: Lecavalier
To Tampa: Kaberle*, Antropov and either a 1st or Brad Boyes(TB's choice).
According to this retelling, the deal was done, the i's dotted and t's crossed and Tampa just had to call and finish it when Jay Feaster made one last attempt to salvage the relationship and the Lightning went on to win the cup.
Anyways, it got me thinking. How would that have played out for the Leafs? What would have been the ripples. I suppose the temptation would be to say things would have been better, after all Lecavalier was in his early 20's and on his way to a near HOF career as the kind of player the Leafs have been looking for these last 10 or so years.
But Lecavalier's best years correspond with Kaberle's pretty nicely. When Lecavalier was a 50 goal scorer, Kaberle was a 60+ point defenseman playing 25+ minutes a night. Antropov blossomed into a pretty good 2nd line center himself(even if the Leafs gave him away right when he hit his stride).
So what are the possible ramifications:
- Does the Nolan trade happen? Boyes or the 1st is gone but do they use someone like Steen instead?
- If not, do the Leafs keep Boyes? Keep their first rounder in the incredible '03 draft? Quinn would have had that pick and was on a bit of a roll draft wise.
- For that matter, if the Leafs make a better showing in the '03 playoffs, does Ferguson get hired at all?
- I assume they still trade for Leetch but maybe, without Kaberle, they use those assets on a longer-term blueline solution?
- With Lecavalier sort of a Sundin-esque player, does the team move on from Mats earlier?
Anyways, that's the stuff that's been running through my mind today. I doubt Lecavalier makes a huge difference. I don't think he alone changes either of the pre-lockout Flyers series' and, like I said, I think post-lockout the trade is maybe a push valuewise. But an interesting thought experiment nonetheless.
