I, and a few others, predicted that Kessel will be at the Leafs camp in September. I still believe that to be the case. A lot of people saying there is a deal in place with the Pens and the only reason it is not posted as true yet is because the Pens are waiting for the Leafs to have to pay out Kessels 4 mil bonus.
I think that's a load of crap.
I think the best return for Kessel will be at the deadline. The reasons are that Kessel will have over half a season under Babcock to bring his value back up. For instance, Kessel becomes better defensively and has 25 plus goals by the deadline. His value will be sky high.
Another reason its best to deal him at the deadline is that there is always a team willing to overpay big time at the deadline. Kessels value should be huge.
As much as Leaf fans like to undervalue and whine about a guy like Kessel, the other 29 teams disagree. At the deadline, he would be the hottest commodity.
I can see 2 firsts (2016 and 2017) and 2 good prospects. I am not sure that the Leafs will be looking for a roster player. I think we have enough to give a young guy a chance to step in, or at least have a few auditions for his spot.
A guy like Kessel is going to be the answer for a bubble team looking to go a long way. Kessel also has to rename his list of 8 teams by the deadline and 2 of those teams have to be different according to his LNT claus. But I don't think it would be too hard to get him to waive for almost anyone if we are out of a playoff spot by then.
The only remaining unknown is if the Leafs are actually in the playoff race (funnier things have happened, especially with Babcock driving the rig), then the Leafs keep Kessel and core, and go for it.
All that said, do you think it just makes more sense to keep him until the deadline?
I think that's a load of crap.
I think the best return for Kessel will be at the deadline. The reasons are that Kessel will have over half a season under Babcock to bring his value back up. For instance, Kessel becomes better defensively and has 25 plus goals by the deadline. His value will be sky high.
Another reason its best to deal him at the deadline is that there is always a team willing to overpay big time at the deadline. Kessels value should be huge.
As much as Leaf fans like to undervalue and whine about a guy like Kessel, the other 29 teams disagree. At the deadline, he would be the hottest commodity.
I can see 2 firsts (2016 and 2017) and 2 good prospects. I am not sure that the Leafs will be looking for a roster player. I think we have enough to give a young guy a chance to step in, or at least have a few auditions for his spot.
A guy like Kessel is going to be the answer for a bubble team looking to go a long way. Kessel also has to rename his list of 8 teams by the deadline and 2 of those teams have to be different according to his LNT claus. But I don't think it would be too hard to get him to waive for almost anyone if we are out of a playoff spot by then.
The only remaining unknown is if the Leafs are actually in the playoff race (funnier things have happened, especially with Babcock driving the rig), then the Leafs keep Kessel and core, and go for it.
All that said, do you think it just makes more sense to keep him until the deadline?