Do whatever you like!
However, try to keep the frivolous stuff for the other threads.
However, try to keep the frivolous stuff for the other threads.
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The Official M.E.R.B. Hockey Thread
- Thread starter Doc Holliday
- Start date
- Status
Bruins ready to turn the page on Kessel saga
WILMINGTON, Mass. -- When the Boston Bruins kicked off training camp with team medicals here in this picturesque New England town yesterday, there was no Phil Kessel on hand to be prodded and poked by doctors like the rest of his teammates.
Given that he remains without a contract, no one was surprised that the gifted young forward was nowhere to be seen at the Ristuccia Arena.
Nor is he expected to be around in the future, either.
TWO FIRST-ROUNDERS
In Kessel's own words yesterday, the chances of ever playing for the Bruins again "are slim right now."
"Slim" must be a synonym for "almost zero."
Will he end up in Toronto with the Maple Leafs, who are believed to be the frontrunners?
ESPN reported yesterday that the Leafs have offered two first-round picks and a second-rounder for Kessel.
Can the New York Rangers blow Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli away?
Will the Nashville Predators put together a package?
Or, are there other interested parties, as has been widely reported.
"We've talked concepts," Preds general manager David Poile told The Tennessean.
"I'd be very interested to see if there might be something he would like from the Predators."
Chiarelli, who has done an admirable job rebuilding this once-struggling Original Six franchise, said he would not comment on any issues regarding contract negotiations or trade speculation.
Just the way coach Claude Julien likes it.
"Peter has done a great job handling the (Kessel) situation," Julien said.
"From the outside, people can make comments but he's been very professional keeping that situation in control and not having a war of words. I respect that.
"It would be easy to be a loose lip and try to have to defend (yourself) but (Chiarelli) doesn't.
"I have confidence he'll handle this situation well, just as the players have confidence."
Perhaps the most telling comments to date that Kessel's days in Boston are done were offered by Marc Savard, one of the winger's best friends on the team.
During the Bruins' team golf tournament several days ago, Savard was reluctant to discuss the situation, but eventually opened up.
"It's between Phil and the management," Savard finally said.
"Obviously, he's a great player and obviously helps us win hockey games.
"When you miss a guy like that, there's going to be holes to fill. But then again, we've got guys like (Marco Sturm) coming back that will be able to fill holes like that.
"Obviously, we're going to miss him, but in the same sense life will go on with the team that we have."
Life goes on.
That seems to be the credo the Bruins seem to be adopting.
There have, in the past, been whispers that Kessel is a "me-first" type of guy.
On the other hand, he has beaten testicular cancer, does a lot of charity work that never gets reported, and is one of the most talented young players in the game.
That last trait is the one that obviously attracts Leafs GM Brian Burke the most.
A kid in his early 20s who scored 36 goals last season, well, those are rare commodities.
Kessel is said to be looking for a deal between $4.5-$6 million US.
If Chiarelli can't move him, Burke has positioned himself to submit an offer sheet, one that would cost the Leafs a first-, second- and a third-round pick for any offer of $6 million or less.
Wherever Kessel ends up, this much is certain: It likely will not be back in Boston.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Zeisberger/2009/09/13/10872416-sun.html
Doc says: "I'd like to have Kessel with the Leafs. But not if it requires giving away two first-round picks & a second rounder. That'd be very stupid!"
WILMINGTON, Mass. -- When the Boston Bruins kicked off training camp with team medicals here in this picturesque New England town yesterday, there was no Phil Kessel on hand to be prodded and poked by doctors like the rest of his teammates.
Given that he remains without a contract, no one was surprised that the gifted young forward was nowhere to be seen at the Ristuccia Arena.
Nor is he expected to be around in the future, either.
TWO FIRST-ROUNDERS
In Kessel's own words yesterday, the chances of ever playing for the Bruins again "are slim right now."
"Slim" must be a synonym for "almost zero."
Will he end up in Toronto with the Maple Leafs, who are believed to be the frontrunners?
ESPN reported yesterday that the Leafs have offered two first-round picks and a second-rounder for Kessel.
Can the New York Rangers blow Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli away?
Will the Nashville Predators put together a package?
Or, are there other interested parties, as has been widely reported.
"We've talked concepts," Preds general manager David Poile told The Tennessean.
"I'd be very interested to see if there might be something he would like from the Predators."
Chiarelli, who has done an admirable job rebuilding this once-struggling Original Six franchise, said he would not comment on any issues regarding contract negotiations or trade speculation.
Just the way coach Claude Julien likes it.
"Peter has done a great job handling the (Kessel) situation," Julien said.
"From the outside, people can make comments but he's been very professional keeping that situation in control and not having a war of words. I respect that.
"It would be easy to be a loose lip and try to have to defend (yourself) but (Chiarelli) doesn't.
"I have confidence he'll handle this situation well, just as the players have confidence."
Perhaps the most telling comments to date that Kessel's days in Boston are done were offered by Marc Savard, one of the winger's best friends on the team.
During the Bruins' team golf tournament several days ago, Savard was reluctant to discuss the situation, but eventually opened up.
"It's between Phil and the management," Savard finally said.
"Obviously, he's a great player and obviously helps us win hockey games.
"When you miss a guy like that, there's going to be holes to fill. But then again, we've got guys like (Marco Sturm) coming back that will be able to fill holes like that.
"Obviously, we're going to miss him, but in the same sense life will go on with the team that we have."
Life goes on.
That seems to be the credo the Bruins seem to be adopting.
There have, in the past, been whispers that Kessel is a "me-first" type of guy.
On the other hand, he has beaten testicular cancer, does a lot of charity work that never gets reported, and is one of the most talented young players in the game.
That last trait is the one that obviously attracts Leafs GM Brian Burke the most.
A kid in his early 20s who scored 36 goals last season, well, those are rare commodities.
Kessel is said to be looking for a deal between $4.5-$6 million US.
If Chiarelli can't move him, Burke has positioned himself to submit an offer sheet, one that would cost the Leafs a first-, second- and a third-round pick for any offer of $6 million or less.
Wherever Kessel ends up, this much is certain: It likely will not be back in Boston.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Zeisberger/2009/09/13/10872416-sun.html
Doc says: "I'd like to have Kessel with the Leafs. But not if it requires giving away two first-round picks & a second rounder. That'd be very stupid!"
Andrei Markov says NIET to offer of Habs captaincy
Captain Markov not in the cards
Defenceman rejects Habs' offer
Defenceman Andrei Markov will not be the next captain of the Canadiens.
The Gazette has learned that Markov, who wore an "A" on his jersey as one of the assistant captains last season, was asked whether he wanted to wear the "C", but told the Habs he wasn't interested.
Markov's decision isn't surprising. The veteran Russian is an intensely private person and, while he has been more accessible to the media in recent years, it would be difficult to see him in a role requiring him to be available on an almost daily basis.
The debate over who should be captain has been lively since the Canadiens decided not to offer a contract to unrestricted free agent Saku Koivu, who subsequently signed with Anaheim.
Koivu's experiences might make a player think twice about accepting the job. He was criticized on a regular basis because he was reluctant to speak French.
General manager Bob Gainey and new head coach Jacques Martin have been grilled about the vacant post and neither seems as concerned as the fans and the media.
At the team's annual golf tournament last week, Gainey said he was content to wait until a leader emerged.
Martin addressed the subject of leadership yesterday, and said it was important to have a variety of leaders, including vocal players and those who lead by example.
With a little more than two weeks before the season opener, it's becoming more likely the Canadiens will start the season without a designated captain or that they will follow the lead of the Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota Wild and employ a system of rotating captains.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Habs+exclusive+Captain+Markov+cards/1994225/story.html
Captain Markov not in the cards
Defenceman rejects Habs' offer
Defenceman Andrei Markov will not be the next captain of the Canadiens.
The Gazette has learned that Markov, who wore an "A" on his jersey as one of the assistant captains last season, was asked whether he wanted to wear the "C", but told the Habs he wasn't interested.
Markov's decision isn't surprising. The veteran Russian is an intensely private person and, while he has been more accessible to the media in recent years, it would be difficult to see him in a role requiring him to be available on an almost daily basis.
The debate over who should be captain has been lively since the Canadiens decided not to offer a contract to unrestricted free agent Saku Koivu, who subsequently signed with Anaheim.
Koivu's experiences might make a player think twice about accepting the job. He was criticized on a regular basis because he was reluctant to speak French.
General manager Bob Gainey and new head coach Jacques Martin have been grilled about the vacant post and neither seems as concerned as the fans and the media.
At the team's annual golf tournament last week, Gainey said he was content to wait until a leader emerged.
Martin addressed the subject of leadership yesterday, and said it was important to have a variety of leaders, including vocal players and those who lead by example.
With a little more than two weeks before the season opener, it's becoming more likely the Canadiens will start the season without a designated captain or that they will follow the lead of the Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota Wild and employ a system of rotating captains.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Habs+exclusive+Captain+Markov+cards/1994225/story.html
The three top 'captain' candidates they had are now gone: Koivu, Kovalev & Komisarek. That's a lot of leadership that's all gone at the same time. Seeing that no one can seemingly fill that void presently, it makes me question Gainey's moves. How about Hal Gill?
(Considering the fact that french-canadian players are a dying breed on the Habs teams of late, i guess it's no longer a requirement (or expected) that the captain has to speak french.)
(Considering the fact that french-canadian players are a dying breed on the Habs teams of late, i guess it's no longer a requirement (or expected) that the captain has to speak french.)
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Another 'captain' type for the Habs would have been local boy 'Francois Beauchemin', who is currently being groomed in Toronto to be the team's next captain or alternate. He'll become the team's #1 defenceman & the fact he played nearly 30 minutes last night during an exhibition game proves it. He'll also be in the lineup tonight against the Flyers. Beauchemin has matured & he's in the best shape of his life. He's toiled with the likes of Scott Niedermayer & Chris Pronger, among others. He had the most minutes played for Anaheim a few years ago when they won the Cup. He's a solid, no-nonsense two-way player that any team would want on their team & he'll play an important role for Team Canada at the next Olympics.
The Habs could have had him (once again), but they preferred to sign Jaroslav Spacek instead. I honestly can't figure that one out!
The Habs could have had him (once again), but they preferred to sign Jaroslav Spacek instead. I honestly can't figure that one out!
It's Official: Kessel a Leaf!
Kessel a Leaf now!
Report: Leafs acquire Kessel from Bruins for picks
Friday, 09.18.2009 / 7:38 PM / News
By NHL.com Staff
Phil Kessel has been rumored to be on the go for months now, and he landed Friday night in Toronto.
According to TSN, the Boston Bruins traded the talented young forward to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a pair of first-round draft picks and a second-rounder. The trade was contingent on Kessel signing a contract with his new team, which he did by agreeing to a five-year, $27 million deal, TSN reported.
Kessel, who turns 22 on Oct. 2, has already overcome testicular cancer and emerged as a future star in just three NHL seasons. The fifth pick in the 2006 Entry Draft debuted with the Bruins the following season and had his breakthrough year in 2008-09, scoring 36 goals as Boston finished first in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto's interest in Kessel, a restricted free agent, dates as far back as this summer's draft, when the Leafs were reportedly set to send defenseman Tomas Kaberle to Boston in return. But miscommunication over a draft pick to be included in the trade was blamed for it eventually falling apart.
In the end, the Leafs will give up first- and second-round picks in the 2010 Entry Draft and another first-round pick the following year.
Kessel has registered 66 goals and 126 points in 222 regular-season games, adding nine goals and 15 points in 15 playoff games. Bruins coach Claude Julien scratched him from three games in a first-round loss to Montreal in 2008, but Kessel came back to score three goals in the series and his production took a big leap forward last season.
Rotator cuff surgery in the offseason has Kessel sidelined until at least November. He was previously awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication to hockey after returning to play in the 2006-07 season following the battle with cancer.
Kessel a Leaf now!
Report: Leafs acquire Kessel from Bruins for picks
Friday, 09.18.2009 / 7:38 PM / News
By NHL.com Staff
Phil Kessel has been rumored to be on the go for months now, and he landed Friday night in Toronto.
According to TSN, the Boston Bruins traded the talented young forward to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a pair of first-round draft picks and a second-rounder. The trade was contingent on Kessel signing a contract with his new team, which he did by agreeing to a five-year, $27 million deal, TSN reported.
Kessel, who turns 22 on Oct. 2, has already overcome testicular cancer and emerged as a future star in just three NHL seasons. The fifth pick in the 2006 Entry Draft debuted with the Bruins the following season and had his breakthrough year in 2008-09, scoring 36 goals as Boston finished first in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto's interest in Kessel, a restricted free agent, dates as far back as this summer's draft, when the Leafs were reportedly set to send defenseman Tomas Kaberle to Boston in return. But miscommunication over a draft pick to be included in the trade was blamed for it eventually falling apart.
In the end, the Leafs will give up first- and second-round picks in the 2010 Entry Draft and another first-round pick the following year.
Kessel has registered 66 goals and 126 points in 222 regular-season games, adding nine goals and 15 points in 15 playoff games. Bruins coach Claude Julien scratched him from three games in a first-round loss to Montreal in 2008, but Kessel came back to score three goals in the series and his production took a big leap forward last season.
Rotator cuff surgery in the offseason has Kessel sidelined until at least November. He was previously awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication to hockey after returning to play in the 2006-07 season following the battle with cancer.
Brutal and desperate trade by BlowHard Burke. Burke struck out on draft day and couldn't land any top six forwards so now decides to trade the future away for a quick fix. Kessel can score 36 with Savard but has no one to pass him the puck in Laff land. The idiot Leafs fell for the same thing when you signed Blake to a long term deal. Hot air wind bag Burke overpaid to acquire a player who has battled cancer and is out until at least November after having major surgery. What is it with the desperation moves and poor health individuals with your sad sack Maple Loser organization? You just potentially handed Boston the 1st overall draft picks in 2010 and 2011 for a chance at being mediocre now. Out of the 36 goals he scored last year, only 8 of them were against teams who made the playoffs. In other words, in important games, Kessel disappears. Also, if you take his career 66 goals in 222 games, that averages to 24 a year... if he plays a full 82 game schedule. Kessel is soft and is not a team player which is why he couldnt get along with Julien. Good luck with that loser Laff fans!
Lets look at the Kessel Trade
Doc, patiently waiting your scope on the Kessel deal? lets look at the "real" facts, and not thru the eyes of beer league or biased fans (aka Montreal Scab Fans)
The only part i dont like is the amount they are giving a 3rd year player, i think if he had at least 2 good seasons like last yr then it makes more sense to give a 21yr old that kind of money, BUT, we are not management so we have to trust in Burke and his boys, and remember Kessel was a #5 overall pick, we are getting a proven #5 and giving up 2 pics in a weak draft next year and a 2nd round the year after which now with the way the leafs are looking those pics wont be very high at all.....
At first i didnt like giving up 2 first rounders and a 2nd but the more i read into this trade, it was overall a very good move, are we guarenteed a 36 goal draft choice from either one, 2 or 3 of those picks? nope..... is Kessel a 34yr old veteran? nope.... is he reached his potential? no and thats the scary thing, plus with the speed of the new guys plus grabo or possible stajan centering him (stajan had 40 assists last year with alot lesser talent than Kessel) ,Kessel has the potential to have someone as good or possibly better at setting him up ala Marc Savard
Burkes a majician, he collected 3 of the top college players for this deal to eventually be possible , he just admitted it live on 640am Toronto.... he has already brought in for all intense purpose, 4 possible first rounders in Bozak (kid is gonna be a good one) Stalberg (potential star) Hanson (not sure about him yet but they love him) and the Monster ....... plus Kadri was a 7th pic and has been impressive in the rookie camp and into the Leafs camp..... so actually thats 5 players considered top round pics, combine that with the weak talent at next years draft, it was really a great trade.....
the X factor is Kessels ability to be 100% healed from a relative normal surgical procedure, which i am sure Burke and company have complete faith in it or kessel wouldnt of been so highly sought after
This deal is nothing like what leafs gm's are used to doing, Kessel isnt a aging veteran, but a young up and coming Star.... he is shy so they have to handle him carefully as to not let the TO media mess with his head like the Montreal media has done with Price.
Anyone who thinks this deal was so horrible is either Jealous, (usually the case), or just hasnt picked this trade apart piece by piece, so let the jealousy begin boys, just play nice like Doc has asked....
All the so called experts were complaining the leafs had no top liners, and this would keep them on the bubble for making the playoffs, well, now what are they gonna come up with to satisfy their jealousy? the 4 new kids (Bozak,Stalberg.Hanson,Kadri) are making headlines everyday in camp, and one or 2 should make the club opening night, remember 3 of them are 22/23 yrs old and ready to step right in, GREAT Signings by Burke at the end of last season
Combined with one of the top defenses in all of the NHL and a healthy Toskala behind a great defense with the Monster pushing for that top spot, look out , could be a very very interesting season.,.... Scared or Jealous? i say both
by the way, the Leafs just got better than the scabs if they already werent, which they were
Doc, patiently waiting your scope on the Kessel deal? lets look at the "real" facts, and not thru the eyes of beer league or biased fans (aka Montreal Scab Fans)
The only part i dont like is the amount they are giving a 3rd year player, i think if he had at least 2 good seasons like last yr then it makes more sense to give a 21yr old that kind of money, BUT, we are not management so we have to trust in Burke and his boys, and remember Kessel was a #5 overall pick, we are getting a proven #5 and giving up 2 pics in a weak draft next year and a 2nd round the year after which now with the way the leafs are looking those pics wont be very high at all.....
At first i didnt like giving up 2 first rounders and a 2nd but the more i read into this trade, it was overall a very good move, are we guarenteed a 36 goal draft choice from either one, 2 or 3 of those picks? nope..... is Kessel a 34yr old veteran? nope.... is he reached his potential? no and thats the scary thing, plus with the speed of the new guys plus grabo or possible stajan centering him (stajan had 40 assists last year with alot lesser talent than Kessel) ,Kessel has the potential to have someone as good or possibly better at setting him up ala Marc Savard
Burkes a majician, he collected 3 of the top college players for this deal to eventually be possible , he just admitted it live on 640am Toronto.... he has already brought in for all intense purpose, 4 possible first rounders in Bozak (kid is gonna be a good one) Stalberg (potential star) Hanson (not sure about him yet but they love him) and the Monster ....... plus Kadri was a 7th pic and has been impressive in the rookie camp and into the Leafs camp..... so actually thats 5 players considered top round pics, combine that with the weak talent at next years draft, it was really a great trade.....
the X factor is Kessels ability to be 100% healed from a relative normal surgical procedure, which i am sure Burke and company have complete faith in it or kessel wouldnt of been so highly sought after
This deal is nothing like what leafs gm's are used to doing, Kessel isnt a aging veteran, but a young up and coming Star.... he is shy so they have to handle him carefully as to not let the TO media mess with his head like the Montreal media has done with Price.
Anyone who thinks this deal was so horrible is either Jealous, (usually the case), or just hasnt picked this trade apart piece by piece, so let the jealousy begin boys, just play nice like Doc has asked....
All the so called experts were complaining the leafs had no top liners, and this would keep them on the bubble for making the playoffs, well, now what are they gonna come up with to satisfy their jealousy? the 4 new kids (Bozak,Stalberg.Hanson,Kadri) are making headlines everyday in camp, and one or 2 should make the club opening night, remember 3 of them are 22/23 yrs old and ready to step right in, GREAT Signings by Burke at the end of last season
Combined with one of the top defenses in all of the NHL and a healthy Toskala behind a great defense with the Monster pushing for that top spot, look out , could be a very very interesting season.,.... Scared or Jealous? i say both
by the way, the Leafs just got better than the scabs if they already werent, which they were
ROFL!!!!!!!!!
ahhhhhhhhhhhh, blind leading the blind..... after having ALOT of Boston red sox fans hating on the Yankees and the yankees fans thinking what morons they are, i kinda feel like there not as bad as scabs fans, at least RED SOX FANS are intelligent about the game and about trades and deals even if they dont wanna admit it, they tell the truth.... unlike blinded scabs fans who feel like the stanley cup by rights should be theirs every season, what a joke....
at least ghg commented on the actual trade and didnt try to steer Docs original idea at a good thread off pace again...... so with that
This trade is gonna take some time to see if it was good for all involved, the Leafs certainly should not have any high pics available to boston for the pics they traded as they will be much much improved and finishing alot higher than last year and the draft is very weak the next few years esp next season........GO LEAFS GO!!!!!!!!
ahhhhhhhhhhhh, blind leading the blind..... after having ALOT of Boston red sox fans hating on the Yankees and the yankees fans thinking what morons they are, i kinda feel like there not as bad as scabs fans, at least RED SOX FANS are intelligent about the game and about trades and deals even if they dont wanna admit it, they tell the truth.... unlike blinded scabs fans who feel like the stanley cup by rights should be theirs every season,
what a joke....at least ghg commented on the actual trade and didnt try to steer Docs original idea at a good thread off pace again...... so with that
This trade is gonna take some time to see if it was good for all involved, the Leafs certainly should not have any high pics available to boston for the pics they traded as they will be much much improved and finishing alot higher than last year and the draft is very weak the next few years esp next season........GO LEAFS GO!!!!!!!!
I have mixed feelings about the trade. The good side is that they've acquired a bonafide proven scoring star in Phil Kessel. Even better, he's only 21 & he's already under contract for the next 5 years. Instead of being with the rival Bruins, Rangers or Preds, he'll be playing in a Leafs uniform. He also didn't cost them their top offensive defenceman in Tomas Kaberle. However, the negative side, if there is one, is that he did cost them two 1st-round picks & a 2nd-rounder. This brings back bad memories of past years when the likes of Gerry McNamara, Gord Stellick, Cliff Fletcher & John Ferguson Jr. were throwing away high draft pics for marginal returns. But that's where it stops. Phil Kessel is a star scorer & potentially one of the league's superstars. He's only 21 years old & he's yet to reach his full potential. This isn't a thirty-something veteran like Jason Blake, a Tom Kurvers, an over-the-hill Brian Leetch on loan for 2 months, a Yannic Perreault on loan for the final couple of months of his NHL career, nor an injury-prone veteran like Owen Nolan. It's Phil Kessel, 21 years old, already a proven scorer with unlimited potential & one of the most exciting young players in the NHL.
Now let's examine the transaction itself. Burke didn't have to give up any of his young prospects, nor established players. He didn't give away anyone on his current roster. He did give away two first-rounders. But let's be frank: every single GM would have made the trade straight up if it would have meant giving away next year's #1 pick, since Kessel's value is considerably higher. Let's not forget that a large majority of first-round picks wind up as flops. The Leafs, as i mentionned earlier, obtained someone who was a very high draft pick a few seasons ago who has already proven his worth. Then you have the case of the second first-rounder (in 2011). If the Leafs finish in the first half of the NHL's standings, as expected, that 2011 pick will be a marginal one. The next two 'draft' seasons are not expected to produce as good a crop as this past one. As for the 2nd rounder, well, it's a 2nd round pick & most 2nd round picks wind up playing most of their careers in the minors, unless they beat the odds. Drafting a 2nd round pick is a gamble & always has been. On top of that, they obtained that 2nd pick by trading minor-league defenceman Anton Stralman, who had nearly zero chances of making this year's team. So basically, that 2nd rounder is a wash. He didn't cost the Leafs anything.
As for that 2nd first-rounder, as i mentionned above, it might not be much if the Leafs do finish among the top 10 teams in the league in two years. But people forget that you had to give away something of quality in order to convince a division rival like Boston to agree to the trade. Why would they trade one of their top young players for a bargain to a division rival? It doesn't make sense. Do that's why the Leafs had to include that 2nd first-rounder.
Boston would have matched any offer sheet given to Kessel by any team, including the Leafs. Sure, it would have forced them to get rid of some players in order to create cap room in order to accomodate Kessel's big contract, but they still would have matched the offer. Peter Chiarelli, the Bruins GM, stated publicly many times that no matter what, Boston would have matched & i doubt he would have went back on his word. Even better, Burke is still on good terms with the Bruins GM as opposed to how it would have been if he would have signed Kessel to an offer sheet (instead of trading for him) and thus enraging the Boston brass.
I'll admit that it would have been preferrable that Burke obtain Kessel by signing him to an offer sheet & then losing his #1, #2 & #3 picks to Boston. But it wouldn't have even happened if Boston would have reacted to this by matching the offer sheet.
My final analysis is that i'm convinced that Burke did the right thing. He did admit himself that the strong play & development of young players such as Bozak, Hanson & Stalberg is what convinced him that the Leafs future wouldn't be sacrificed if he traded away those picks. Kadri likely will be sent down to the minors this season with probably 2 of the other 3 players i mentionned, but come next year or so, look out. Some of those players will be stars just a few years from now & everyone will have admired Burke for the great moves he's made. By the way, i'm very surprised that a large majority of reader/fans comments on the tabloids approve of the trade. People are once again starting to Be-Leaf. For today's press conference, click on the link below & go to 'The Vault':
http://mapleleafs.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=616&id=46703
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how is it "too much to pay"?????? i pointed out and doc also afterwards said the same thing (whos the parakeet now " g1gballsonchin" ???) jk Doc....... that the weak draft the next few years along with the fact most likely those pics wont be very high,plus as doc said that 2nd round pic was a freebie for a defense man who wouldnt see ice time anytime soon.... do you guys not read or just always in the state of mind that the scabs are owed "give us the cup every year" passage of rights?????
face it, Burke if nothing else has shown he is a great gm who wants to get the Leafs back to being an elite club again,, and is doing it the RIGHT WAY!!!!!,,,, and i think he was the perfect choice for the job.... keep it up Burkie, sign Sundin for one year and let him mentor the young guys and add 50-70 points to the offense.....
jk Doc....... that the weak draft the next few years along with the fact most likely those pics wont be very high,plus as doc said that 2nd round pic was a freebie for a defense man who wouldnt see ice time anytime soon.... do you guys not read or just always in the state of mind that the scabs are owed "give us the cup every year" passage of rights????? face it, Burke if nothing else has shown he is a great gm who wants to get the Leafs back to being an elite club again,, and is doing it the RIGHT WAY!!!!!,,,, and i think he was the perfect choice for the job.... keep it up Burkie, sign Sundin for one year and let him mentor the young guys and add 50-70 points to the offense.....
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If i am, then we're watching the Leafs/Flyers game online (free on Leafs TV) and just finished watching the Sens destroy the Habs 6-1. Way to go, Kovy!are you sitting on my shoulder tonight or what?????? geez....
(Yes indeed, the smurfs did play tonight for the Habs, but didn't accomplish much)
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