Kessel to the Maple Leafs: NHL

[CapitalsGM]

What do you guys think of the trade by Brian Burke? A first rounder and second rounder in 2010, and a first rounder in 2011.

It seems like a hefty price, but with some of the recent NCAA signings and of course "The Monster" it was a price he was obviously comfortable with.

[CalgaryGM]

When you look at the number of 1st rounder the Leafs have made in past years. When did the last one turn out to be a 1st line player?

Brad Boyes in 2000
Nikolai Antropov in 1998
Vincent Damphousse 1986
Wendel Clark 1985
Lanny McDonald 1973
Darryl Sittler 1970

Not a very good track record. Now, there were some defensemen in there that are top 2, but I didn't list them since I'm talking about forwards.

So I think it's a good deal for both teams.

[Elite Sim News (ESN)]

Well this is certainly an interesting deal. I think it was pretty clear the Leafs needed to find someone to be their go to guy, and I would expect Kessel to fill that role when he comes back. I will say that Leaf fans shouldn't expect Kessel to step right in and light it up when he does comes back this year. He very well may, but coming off shoulder surgeries, especially mid-season, won't allow him to get all the way back to full strength. I have to keep telling myself that with Hossa and I witnessed it with Lecavalier, among others.

That said, when you can get a 21 year old 36 goal scorer in the NHL without giving up anything other than draft picks, you have to like that. With all the additions to the Leafs lineup, and most importantly Toskala being healthy, I would expect the Leafs to be pushing for a playoff spot. I'm not saying they are a playoff team, but they will be better. Kessel gives you a game breaking talent. He is a tremendous skater with a great shot (when healthy). I'm a little surprised his goal scoring is so far ahead of his play making right now, because the Kessel I watched from a 16 year old through being drafted was a kid that could not only create for himself, but create for others as well. I still think he will be able to do that at a high level also. Who knows what the draft picks will amount to. If any of them amount to the player Phil Kessel is, that will be great for Boston or whoever they trade them to.

For a team that is "rebuilding", you have three pretty good pieces in Kessel, Kadri and Schenn. Bozak, Stalberg, Grabovski, Kulemin, Tlusty and Mitchell are nice pieces moving forward. The defense is much improved. Will it be enough to get the Leafs in the playoffs this year? I don't know. It should keep their picks in 2010 out of the top 10 though, especially if Toskala is/can stay healthy this year.

Bottom line...I think it was a deal both teams had to make. Toronto BADLY needed a player like Kessel. They didn't have, in my opinion, anyone up front who could break open a game. Kessel can do that. Boston has so much depth up front they didn't need Kessel, and they got some pretty nice assets. Whether they keep the picks or use them to improve their club at the deadline(s) remains to be seen. The only issue I have with all of this is the deal Toronto gave Kessel. I think 27 mil over 5 years is a little bit much RIGHT NOW. While Kessel is a dangerous offensive player, he isn't a complete player just yet. Most 21 year olds aren't though. I think this is a good deal for both sides. For the Leaf fans here, I hope Kessel can stay healthy and produce for Toronto. They are heading in the right direction. It will be interesting to see how it works out.

[torontogm]

For a second there I got all excited and thought I'd landed Kessel... although I wouldn't pay what Burke just paid! Having said that, I agree that it was not an outrageous price given Kessel's age.

Brian Burke has a history of being able to put together competitive teams, but it often comes at the price of the team's future - draft picks are thrown around for aging veterans at trade deadlines... look at the depth of the Canucks system prior to Gillis arriving (yeah, I know, Nonis wasn't a whole lot better - but look who he works for now)... look at the nightmare that Bob Murray has had to clean up in terms of contracts in Anaheim. Again, overall I like Burke, and this is one of his safer moves in that it finally creates the splash he was hoping to make in TO, he has given away some good picks but Kessel's age helps to offset that a bit (as do some of his recent signings if they pan out as expected), and the Leafs should push for a playoff spot this season, so the picks will not be top-10 ones. For the Leafs sake let's just hope that Kessel has a full recovery and is ready to go when expected.

[SJSharks]

I think it's a decent deal overall but I think it's one that Boston could have avoided in the first place had they kept cap room free by not signing guys like Morris to the team. I like Kessel and I hope getting shipped to TO and getting a big contract doesn't ruin him.