Quote:
Originally Posted by OzSome
Toronto fans was ticked off that they didn't get enough for Phil Kessel. I tend to disagree since I never even thought someone will even trade for him because of his outrageous contract. I thought if he ever got traded, Toronto will have to retain big chunks of his contract and they'll also get a bad contract in return. They received a 1st round pick from last year's draft in Kaperis Kapanen, D Scott Harrington, veteran Spalling(was decent in Nashville) and some draft picks. All they did was retained 15% of contract, got rid of a prospect Biggs who doesn't seem to fit in and much travelled D Tim Erixon, whom they picked up free on waiver last season. Now the Leafs will have cap space to sign another player. So if another team is willing to do the same thing for Phaneuf, Brendan Shanahan will be laughing.
As for Kessel, i think he is lucky that he won't get picked on by Toronto media as much anymore. He won't be the go-to-guy in Pittsburgh and he'll even play with either Crosby or Malkin. That's like winning the lottery.
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They traded their best player and 'elite' goal scorer, who is 27 years old - and retained part of his salary.
In return, they got a forward prospect that has a chance of becoming a top 6 (Poirier as a comparable?), a defense prospect with a mediocre ceiling who is a couple years away from the NHL (somewhere between Rafikov and Hickey?), and the picks (net of the 2nd they give back) that equate to an early 2nd.
Let's call it Poirier + Wotherspoon + 2nd (minus $1.2M for 7 years)