Brian Burke fired

[dave]

Easily yes. He was fired due to the new ownership group not liking his style basically and it had nothing to do with hockey operations. Frankly I think he would of been a perfect fit for an upcoming season dominated by a CBA he helped influence and the next offseason in which top UFA's like Getzlaf and Perry are quite familiar with him.

People seem to forget this was a team that at Feb. 1 last year was in the playoffs by a pretty good margin (albeint in 7th but still 7 or so points ahead of the 9th place team) and were rolling really well.

As stupid as it sounds, I kind of agree with you here. Burke got fired because he didn't swallow new ownerships' balls ... he got fired because he wouldn't swallow.

[ssags11]

None of those trades make the Leafs a playoff team ... or even close.

It made them closer. I still think the Leafs are short a goalie, one true first line center and another skilled winger but their d-line is solid and in place. Nosin has a much easier job to walk into than 5 years ago. I think the Leafs are going to make some noise this year. They are a playoff team now.

[ssags11]

Easily yes. He was fired due to the new ownership group not liking his style basically and it had nothing to do with hockey operations. Frankly I think he would of been a perfect fit for an upcoming season dominated by a CBA he helped influence and the next offseason in which top UFA's like Getzlaf and Perry are quite familiar with him.

People seem to forget this was a team that at Feb. 1 last year was in the playoffs by a pretty good margin (albeint in 7th but still 7 or so points ahead of the 9th place team) and were rolling really well.

I am going to say this, you will not win with Kessel as your number one guy. Savard made Kessel and needs a Savard type of player to hit that 50 goal mark.

[ssags11]

getting rid of Beauchemin for Lupul and a few other things was a damn good trade too. Gardinier is still developing but he is tearing it up with the Marlies. I think the kid is going to turn into something else.

[leaffan]

Hopefully this isn't long winded but it's going to be quite Homerish:

The calgary trade.

Nicklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers, Matt Stajan and Ian White for Phaneuf, Keith Aulie and Fredrik Sjostrom. What the leafs got here was Phaneuf mainly. A classic example of a player non leaf fans thinks such but leafers like myself like. Pierre McGuire likes him so he can't be that bad right. The other part of this was Keith Aulie who was traded last trade deadline for Carter Ashton. A power forward winger who will help create depth and will be part of the future.

Next came a trade which is still panning out where the leafs got Versteeg and Bill Sweatt from chicago for 2 prospects and Viktor Stalberg. Stalbergs played well for the Hawks but when Versteeg was later traded to philly for their 1st and 3rd round picks the leafs used them to draft Stuart Percy and Josh Leivo. Both are currently playing in the CHL but it was a good depth move at the end of the day.

Jake Gardiner (was in the running for Rookie of the year last season) and Joffrey Lupul for Francois Beauchemin was an absolute steal. I really dunno what the ducks were thinking.

Joe Colborne and what ended up being John Michael Liles and Tyler Biggs for Tomas Kaberle was another perfect example of Burke waiting for the price to be right and jumping on it. I still think this was one of the best moves he made while GM.

Cody Franson (who just signed today) and Matthew Lombardi for Lebda and Slaney was a raping. Cody Franson is going to be a mainstay on their second pair and he's one of those defensemen that will be needed to log massive minutes against other teams top lines. He did this for nashville when he was there.

Last question being does Luke Schenn for JVR end up being another steal. I liked Schenn though but with so much Dmen depth he became expendable.

[leaffan]

I am going to say this, you will not win with Kessel as your number one guy. Savard made Kessel and needs a Savard type of player to hit that 50 goal mark.

This is constantly said over and over by Bruins fans. I think you guys need to seriously kinda sit back and say hey we got rid of a really good young talent but ended up with really good talent back. Saying silly things like Savard made Kessel is just kind of dumb. The guys had 99 goals over the last 3 years as a leaf. There's only 9 guys that have more then him in those last 3 years. (granted there's 2 guys named Malkin and Crosby who are behind him but also have a lot less games played)

He's had 99 goals with Matt Stajan, Tyler Bozak, Tim Connolly and on occasion Dave Steckle centering him. He's scored more goals then Jonathan Toews, Martin St. Lous, Semin, Heatley, Rick Nash and I could go on and on. He's a top10 goal scorer in the NHL (yah I said it) and people need to realize that. He is there to score goals and I really don't know what else people want him to do. Really its because he's a leaf that he's immediatly bumped down and people will knock him for it. Plus its a team game. One player isn't going to win it for you but its not hurting to have him around.

[ssags11]

And Kessel is still a 30 goal guy. It doesn't surprise me he hits those marks, I am not one that hates Kessel, he is a great talent but he can not carry a team. Connolly when not injured is a great center and talent, Steckel is a savy vet so no surprise Kessel has put 30 goals in the last 3 seasons with those guys. However, if he was with Savard, he would have hit that 50 goal mark by now. Problem is until Kessel beats 40 never mind 50, he is a 30 goal guy.

All of the players you mentioned are on the downside of their careers except Toews but Toews is a complete player. Not only that but Toews has more points in less games as Kessel, so, is that really the example you want to use? Toews was hurt last year if I remember right and all the other examples are players close to the end.

Upside? Who would you rather have? Seguin or Kessel?

[ssags11]

I guess Rick Nash is not close to the end but I am not sold on Rick Nash, talk about an overrated player.....Rick Nash might lead the list.

[leaffan]

And Kessel is still a 30 goal guy. It doesn't surprise me he hits those marks, I am not one that hates Kessel, he is a great talent but he can not carry a team. Connolly when not injured is a great center and talent, Steckel is a savy vet so no surprise Kessel has put 30 goals in the last 3 seasons with those guys. However, if he was with Savard, he would have hit that 50 goal mark by now. Problem is until Kessel beats 40 never mind 50, he is a 30 goal guy.

All of the players you mentioned are on the downside of their careers except Toews but Toews is a complete player. Not only that but Toews has more points in less games as Kessel, so, is that really the example you want to use? Toews was hurt last year if I remember right and all the other examples are players close to the end.

Upside? Who would you rather have? Seguin or Kessel?

30 goal guys arn't exactly a common thing. There's only been 16 of them in 3 years avg.ing it.

But having a player be that "50 goals" a year player is extremly rare in todays NHL. Stamkos is the only player who avgs. 50+ a year with ovy in a well distant second place with 40 a year and then you factor in how many people have been 50 goal scorers in the last 3 years and you get 5. I think its just a number people think Kessel should automatically hit or he's just a failure. It's always striked me as beyond odd. If Kessel were to hit 40 he's really starting to hit his peak.

I honestly really really doubt Kessel would of been a 50 goal scorer with a healthy Savard. I really do. And to be frank there is not one player in the league that carries their team. Even Crosby, Stamkos, Ovy and Kovalchuk have proved this. It takes depth not single players. Kessel was not brought in to carry anything. He was brought it to score goals and he does it very well and at a top10 pace in the league. This is fact.

Toews is a perfect example. They both have the exact same total points at 201. (last 3 years again). Kessel has 14 more goals and less assists and has 19 more games played. Toews has one big advantage for 2 seasons though and thats playing with 2 other people that are named Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. Guys that avg. 60-70pts a season as line mates must make it easier to score would it not? Outside of Joffrey Lupul Kessels had the pleasure to play with a 32pt bozak and a 41pt stajan. Its just hilarious when you think about it.

Kessel has more goals then: Jeff Carter, James Neal, Semin, Vanek, Tavares, kopitar, eriksson, spezza, hossa ect ect. He has 1 less goal then Bobby Ryan and Daniel Sedin lol.

I gotta goto bed lol.

I'd rather have Kessel right now. I just think his peak will be better.

[leaffan]

http://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/seasons/last-3-nhl-seasons-players-stats.html

And sort by goals to see where I'm pulling everything from.

[ssags11]

30 goal guys arn't exactly a common thing. There's only been 16 of them in 3 years avg.ing it.

But having a player be that "50 goals" a year player is extremly rare in todays NHL. Stamkos is the only player who avgs. 50+ a year with ovy in a well distant second place with 40 a year and then you factor in how many people have been 50 goal scorers in the last 3 years and you get 5. I think its just a number people think Kessel should automatically hit or he's just a failure. It's always striked me as beyond odd. If Kessel were to hit 40 he's really starting to hit his peak.

I honestly really really doubt Kessel would of been a 50 goal scorer with a healthy Savard. I really do. And to be frank there is not one player in the league that carries their team. Even Crosby, Stamkos, Ovy and Kovalchuk have proved this. It takes depth not single players. Kessel was not brought in to carry anything. He was brought it to score goals and he does it very well and at a top10 pace in the league. This is fact.

Toews is a perfect example. They both have the exact same total points at 201. (last 3 years again). Kessel has 14 more goals and less assists and has 19 more games played. Toews has one big advantage for 2 seasons though and thats playing with 2 other people that are named Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. Guys that avg. 60-70pts a season as line mates must make it easier to score would it not? Outside of Joffrey Lupul Kessels had the pleasure to play with a 32pt bozak and a 41pt stajan. Its just hilarious when you think about it.

Kessel has more goals then: Jeff Carter, James Neal, Semin, Vanek, Tavares, kopitar, eriksson, spezza, hossa ect ect. He has 1 less goal then Bobby Ryan and Daniel Sedin lol.

I gotta goto bed lol.

I'd rather have Kessel right now. I just think his peak will be better.

One of the best defenses of Kessel I have ever seen. Nicely done! Only thing is I believe Toews was hurt last year but I wil have to look that up. Kudos though! Nice post!