Florida interested in Kessel

[Redleaf]

The article is not clear at all on who the non-starters are so I'm just going to assume that Bjugstad is not on the list.

I would be happy with something like:

Nick Bjugstad
Tomas Fleischman (for cap reasons only)
Prospect
1st Rounder this year or next.

I say throw in Gardiner and ask for Ekblad. Surely Kessel + Gardiner = Ekblad

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

The article is not clear at all on who the non-starters are so I'm just going to assume that Bjugstad is not on the list.

I would be happy with something like:

Nick Bjugstad
Tomas Fleischman (for cap reasons only)
Prospect
1st Rounder this year or next.

I say throw in Gardiner and ask for Ekblad. Surely Kessel + Gardiner = Ekblad

There's just no chance that they'd do that. 32 pts and 9 G in 55 games as a rookie. He costs them very little against the cap for the next few years vs. the 12M of Gardiner + Kessel.

Throw in our 1st and I'm sure you'd get a deal.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I say throw in Gardiner and ask for Ekblad. Surely Kessel + Gardiner = Ekblad

They're not moving Ekblad. It's really that simple.

 

[Redleaf]

I say throw in Gardiner and ask for Ekblad. Surely Kessel + Gardiner = Ekblad

They're not moving Ekblad. It's really that simple.

I agree. I'm just talking equal value. I'd rather not be fleeced on a deal for Kessel. If they aren't even willing to consider one of their young stars, then whats the point, really? Kessel's worth is greater than whichever teams agrees to rape you the least. I  know there are many fans guilty of overvaluing Leafs players, but I think sometimes it goes too far to the other side. Wait until next season, when Kessel goes on another tear, then shop him.

 

[Kin]

I agree. I'm just talking equal value. I'd rather not be fleeced on a deal for Kessel. If they aren't even willing to consider one of their young stars, then whats the point, really?

The point is that you're starting from scratch and you need to turn the assets on the team into the best possible return. That doesn't mean Florida necessarily but there will come a point where the Leafs will have to go with the best offer, whatever it is.

 

[Redleaf]

I agree. I'm just talking equal value. I'd rather not be fleeced on a deal for Kessel. If they aren't even willing to consider one of their young stars, then whats the point, really?

The point is that you're starting from scratch and you need to turn the assets on the team into the best possible return. That doesn't mean Florida necessarily but there will come a point where the Leafs will have to go with the best offer, whatever it is.

Sure, but the Leafs can also afford to wait until the right offer comes. They don't need to sell to the highest bidder this instant, no matter what the return.

 

[Kin]

I agree. I'm just talking equal value. I'd rather not be fleeced on a deal for Kessel. If they aren't even willing to consider one of their young stars, then whats the point, really?

The point is that you're starting from scratch and you need to turn the assets on the team into the best possible return. That doesn't mean Florida necessarily but there will come a point where the Leafs will have to go with the best offer, whatever it is.

Sure, but the Leafs can also afford to wait until the right offer comes. They don't need to sell to the highest bidder this instant, no matter what the return.

Right. That's why I said "will come a point". I don't know when that is, it might be at the draft, but I don't think you want to go into next year with Kessel still on the team. I want the best realistic return for Kessel but the rebuild is more important than just what you get for him.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

There's not really anything else on their roster TBH.

I'd send them Kessel and Bozak for Huberdeau, Bjugstad and a 1st and 2nd from this year and be done with it.

Anyone think they'd do that? Is it enough of a return?

A Kessel/Bozak package would be interesting (and of course hilarious). At first glance I would absolutely do that deal, but I doubt Florida does. Florida would only be interesting in Bozak as a 2C if they move Bjugstad, so let's say he stays in the deal and Huberdeau is downgraded to a slightly lesser prospect like Trocheck. Maybe that does it, who knows though.

Yeah that'd be a non-starter for me unless there were another high pick involved or Gudbranson in the place of Trochek.

Maybe even add in Polak?

Kessel, Bozak, Polak for Huberdeau, Trochek, Gudbranson + 2015 1st and 2nd.

I think I'd rather Huberdeau over Bjugstad in the long run.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

I agree. I'm just talking equal value. I'd rather not be fleeced on a deal for Kessel. If they aren't even willing to consider one of their young stars, then whats the point, really?

The point is that you're starting from scratch and you need to turn the assets on the team into the best possible return. That doesn't mean Florida necessarily but there will come a point where the Leafs will have to go with the best offer, whatever it is.

Sure, but the Leafs can also afford to wait until the right offer comes. They don't need to sell to the highest bidder this instant, no matter what the return.

But if this draft is as strong as is being suggested, they really shouldn't wait.  The point is to stockpile as many 1st and 2nd round picks as possible prior to the draft.  The other thing coming back in any Kessel deal is $8 million in cap space, and an (addition by subtraction) nitro booster for the tank.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Yeah that'd be a non-starter for me unless there were another high pick involved or Gudbranson in the place of Trochek.

Maybe even add in Polak?

Kessel, Bozak, Polak for Huberdeau, Trochek, Gudbranson + 2015 1st and 2nd.

I think I'd rather Huberdeau over Bjugstad in the long run.

I just really don't think they'd be too interesting in basically abandoning their plan to build their team at this point. Bjugstad and Huberdeau are pretty integral parts there, moving one in a trade like this makes sense but moving two is almost like blowing up your core. I think moving both is pretty much completely off the table, guys like Polak and Bozak don't really move the needle all that much when players like that are being talked about. Maybe if the Leafs included somebody like Kadri, but again then you're asking the Panthers to blow up their plan when they don't really have to.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

George Richards is Panthers writer for Miami Herald.

@jesselangevin: are @FlaPanthers exploring options/ having conversations to acquire Kessel? #TSN?

@GeorgeRichards

In my talks w/ owner, I would say no

 

[Redleaf]

I agree. I'm just talking equal value. I'd rather not be fleeced on a deal for Kessel. If they aren't even willing to consider one of their young stars, then whats the point, really?

The point is that you're starting from scratch and you need to turn the assets on the team into the best possible return. That doesn't mean Florida necessarily but there will come a point where the Leafs will have to go with the best offer, whatever it is.

Sure, but the Leafs can also afford to wait until the right offer comes. They don't need to sell to the highest bidder this instant, no matter what the return.

But if this draft is as strong as is being suggested, they really shouldn't wait.  The point is to stockpile as many 1st and 2nd round picks as possible prior to the draft.  The other thing coming back in any Kessel deal is $8 million in cap space, and an (addition by subtraction) nitro booster for the tank.

Personally, I'd rather get a sure fire NHLer, somewhere in a deal for Kessel. Another pick that is close to bottom of the first round doesn't guarantee anything in return for the purest sniper this team has ever had (who is still in the prime of his career). I think the return needs to include a young gun along with a good pick.

 

[Redleaf]

I agree. I'm just talking equal value. I'd rather not be fleeced on a deal for Kessel. If they aren't even willing to consider one of their young stars, then whats the point, really?

The point is that you're starting from scratch and you need to turn the assets on the team into the best possible return. That doesn't mean Florida necessarily but there will come a point where the Leafs will have to go with the best offer, whatever it is.

Sure, but the Leafs can also afford to wait until the right offer comes. They don't need to sell to the highest bidder this instant, no matter what the return.

Right. That's why I said "will come a point". I don't know when that is, it might be at the draft, but I don't think you want to go into next year with Kessel still on the team. I want the best realistic return for Kessel but the rebuild is more important than just what you get for him.

With Kessel being the biggest asset you have to really kick off the rebuild, it should be essential to get a substantial return, even if it means holding off on a trade until next season sometime, or longer if necessary. If the rebuild is a 3-5 year process, than there is no rush to rid yourself of Kessel based on an artificial timeline.

 

[Kin]

With Kessel being the biggest asset you have to really kick off the rebuild, it should be essential to get a substantial return, even if it means holding off on a trade until next season sometime. If the rebuild is a 3-5 year process, than there is no rush to rid yourself of Kessel based on an artificial timeline.

A rebuild is a 5 year process ideally. Part of that process is having top picks, as in top 3, and developing those players. Keeping all-stars around waiting for unrealistic returns and finishing with the 5th or 6th overall pick is how you turn into the Blue Jackets and their 10 years of nothing. The Leafs need to get bad, legit bad, and keeping Kessel delays that process.

Again, it's not about being hasty, it's about taking a legitimate read of the market. If Nonis calls around and the best offer isn't one that meets your standards then, well, that's a sign that you might be over estimating Kessel's value. There's no guarantee offers will get better as time goes on and there's a very real risk that the offers will get worse.

 

[rdowdall]

With Kessel being the biggest asset you have to really kick off the rebuild, it should be essential to get a substantial return, even if it means holding off on a trade until next season sometime. If the rebuild is a 3-5 year process, than there is no rush to rid yourself of Kessel based on an artificial timeline.

A rebuild is a 5 year process ideally. Part of that process is having top picks, as in top 3, and developing those players. Keeping all-stars around waiting for unrealistic returns and finishing with the 5th or 6th overall pick is how you turn into the Blue Jackets and their 10 years of nothing. The Leafs need to get bad, legit bad, and keeping Kessel delays that process.

Again, it's not about being hasty, it's about taking a legitimate read of the market. If Nonis calls around and the best offer isn't one that meets your standards then, well, that's a sign that you might be over estimating Kessel's value. There's no guarantee offers will get better as time goes on and there's a very real risk that the offers will get worse.

See Roberto Luongo trade from Canucks to Florida. 

 

[CarltonTheBear]

George Richards is Panthers writer for Miami Herald.

@jesselangevin: are @FlaPanthers exploring options/ having conversations to acquire Kessel? #TSN?

@GeorgeRichards

In my talks w/ owner, I would say no

Could be accurate, not sure the owner of the team would go spilling all their plans to a reporter though (especially on-the-record).

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

George Richards is Panthers writer for Miami Herald.

@jesselangevin: are @FlaPanthers exploring options/ having conversations to acquire Kessel? #TSN?

@GeorgeRichards

In my talks w/ owner, I would say no

Could be accurate, not sure the owner of the team would go spilling all their plans to a reporter though (especially on-the-record).

At least not to another one other than the beat reporter from the first post in this thread that is! 

 

[CarltonTheBear]

At least not to another one other than the beat reporter from the first post in this thread that is! 

Sure, but leaks like that don't usually come from the team owner of all people.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

With Kessel being the biggest asset you have to really kick off the rebuild, it should be essential to get a substantial return, even if it means holding off on a trade until next season sometime. If the rebuild is a 3-5 year process, than there is no rush to rid yourself of Kessel based on an artificial timeline.

A rebuild is a 5 year process ideally. Part of that process is having top picks, as in top 3, and developing those players. Keeping all-stars around waiting for unrealistic returns and finishing with the 5th or 6th overall pick is how you turn into the Blue Jackets and their 10 years of nothing. The Leafs need to get bad, legit bad, and keeping Kessel delays that process.

Again, it's not about being hasty, it's about taking a legitimate read of the market. If Nonis calls around and the best offer isn't one that meets your standards then, well, that's a sign that you might be over estimating Kessel's value. There's no guarantee offers will get better as time goes on and there's a very real risk that the offers will get worse.

There's also a risk that Kessel will get worse.  How many more summers can he go without skating before he starts to slow?  He could turn into Kyle Wellwood.  :

 

[Kin]

There's also a risk that Kessel will get worse.  How many more summers can he go without skating before he starts to slow?  He could turn into Kyle Wellwood.  :

I don't know how much of that is sarcastic but I wasn't saying that I thought he might get significantly worse, just that he, like all players, is at danger every game from suffering a significant injury. That's not the biggest concern in the world but it is something to consider.