[heep223]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Look, I get it. Flames fans are head over heals with their team. No one can do no wrong and they're all a bunch of winners destined for a meteoric rise to greatness.

but lets take a good look at the reality of the situation here. There is a reason why Jiri Hudler was a 3rd liner on the Red Wings. There is a reason why the Wings chose not to prioritize him as an asset and let him go. There is a reason why Hudler has been passed over for the Czech team numerous times. There is a reason why, when he hit free agency, he signed with the then lowly Flames (not a lot of guys were eager to sign with a losing fanchise smack dab in the Canadian prairie ie pretty freaking low on the destination chart).

but things have gone well for Hudler here, and good on him. but smoke and mirrors aside Hudler is not a legitimate top line player on a contending team. Top six, maybe. He's a nice piece, but that's about it.

Kessel on the other hand is 4 years younger, taller, bigger, more dangerous, has better counting stats, and despite the fact he plays for the leafs (and therefore sucks in the eyes of some) is somehow precieved to be of lesser value. Kessel just scored 25 on one of the worst teams in the league with Tyler Bozak as his center on an 'off' year. Hudler has scored more than 25 once. What's Kessel going to do on a legitmate top line with a high end play maker? 50 goals 90 pts?

I don't think 'desperate' is the appropriate word regarding the leafs desire to trade Kessel. They're interested in trading him because the assets he can fetch the leafs at this point in time is more valuble to this particular team right now and moving forward. No different than Iginla was to the Flames. Only difference is the Flames held on to Iggy 2-3 years longer than they should have for a variety of reasons.

The Flames should be shopping Hudler and try to cash in on his success. But the Leafs will get more for their asset than the Flames will. A lot more.

Dude this entire subject is over your head if you don't understand the implications of Kessel's contract on his value.