2009-10 NHL Thread

I have finally seen the hit and it is definitely clean, he glided into him laterally and dropped the shoulder. Okposo was just in a bad spot after getting spun by Dawes, not much he could have done.

Just to reiterate my previous post was based on IF he had left his feet, I had actually glossed over the premeditated assault part which I see now and is just plain idiotic.

 

It all depends on how much they are giving up for him. He is one of the top young forwards in the game that you can build around for the next decade. But even if it is a big picks package I would have a hard time not pulling the trigger, especially considering picks - even first rounders - can largely be a crap shoot, especially for an organization that has a shit recent history in developing young players.

 

see Beef.....I don't think he's the type of player to build a team around. He's good, and may average 35 goals for a few years....but I think the league will figure out his game real fast, which is basically receiving a pass in full stride down the right side, and either shoot and or try a toe drag.....he does that 10x a game. He doesn't have the size to go low, gain position ont the D to hold onto the puck and wait for his linemates to get into a passing lane. I'd say 75% of the time when he enters the zone, the puck is only in their for 10 seconds or less.

 

According to a report in the Star "sources indicate that the deal for Boston Bruin Kessel has been completed and the 21-year-old has been signed to a five-year, $27 million contract.

But the Leafs auctioned a big chunk of their future to make it happen.

Toronto sent two first picks, from 2010 and 2011, and its second draft in 2010 to make it happen

Good player but doesn't he have some attitude issues?

 

He's listed as 6'0 and 180 pounds, he's hardly a midget, especially in today's NHL. Thing is his skill set is incredible, and while he may be a bit predictable right now, he is only 21 and his game can be developed and expanded.

And JR -- I don't know if he has attitude problems, so much as he needs to learn to play through pain. His Boston teammates apparently had a talk with him when last year when he was sitting out with lesser injuries than what some of them were playing through, and he promptly returned to the ice. So if it's something he has learned to play through, then that issue should be solved. If not, I don't think its something Burke will have much patience for. I haven't heard much else in terms of issues.

That is a lot to give up, but if you think he can help excellerate the rebuilding of your franchise, then you do it. You got to look at it as he's there now and will be for the next 10 years or more. It takes a first rounder an average of probably two or three years (just guessing here) to crack the NHL and then usually a couple of years to really be a difference maker (unless you are dealing with a Crosby type player), that second round pick the timeline gets a little longer. And that's assuming they all pan out.

 

Leafs are out of value rounds till 2012 - a risky proposition for a team that hasn't made playoffs for a while. Attitude issues are way overblown, keep in mind Burke knows him pretty well due to his involvement with US Olympic team.

 

Yeah, and there's never been any attitude issues with the US Olympic team.

 

Comrie score three points - 1g 2a - in his return to Rexall as the Oilers shut out the Panthers 4-0. Edmonton is now 3-0 in the pre-season. I know it's just exhibition, but the Oilers are looking good. It's like they've rediscovered this thing called offence. It's quite amazing.

 

So much for a much improved team this year, the Red Deer Rebels got spanked 6-2 in their home opener by The Calgary Hitmen who are supposed to be starting a rebuild this season, at the very least a reload.

 

As far as the Kessel deal, I'll put my money on Burke.

 

Kessel : corners = Woody Hayes : Michigan

Bruins never seemed too fond of keeping him. I'm not sure why they are so willing to dump a 36-goal scorer who's 21, but he never really seemed to fit in. He could be a big scorer, but I think the Bruins also realize their window is now and these 3 picks can be building blocks for adding some talent around the young base of Kreijci, Lucic, et al -- as the picks they got for Glen Wesley in the mid-1990s yielded Kyle McLaren & Sergei Samsonov.

 

Beef Kessel is not 6', he might be big for an Oiler forward but he is not big for the NHL. I agree with Ashey on Kessel, I don't see him as one of the top young players in the game. He's good don't get me wrong but there is a reason therre was little interest him and that Boston was not eager to resign him. 2 firsts and a second is a lot, especially when chances are those picks will be quite high. Look at the Leafs last 2 draft picks, would you trade Schenn and Kadri for kessel? I don't think I'd trade Shenn straight up for Kessel. You've also just locked in for 5.5 over 5 years. So you may have hamstrung yourself going forward.