LeBrun: Wouldn't surprise if Flames explore Kessel

[automaton 3]

No thanks, unless the Leafs are looking to dump him for peanuts.

Reminds me of the Sens a few years ago when they added Bobby Ryan.

[jammies]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Kessel would score so many goals they'd have to add another digit to the score clock. And who wants that? Nobody.

[dino7c]

if Kessel was playing somewhere other than TO people would be all over it

one of the top scorers over the last few years, the Toronto media has just destroyed this guy. The Leafs don't lose because of Phil they have terrible team

[Igottago]

I don't believe a sentence that comes out of the Toronto media. I never buy that the Leafs prospects are as amazing as they always expect, and I never buy that their scapegoated stars are as out of shape or bad character as they claim when they inevitably turn on them. The delusion in that market is unrivaled.

Kessel is an offensively elite talent, and he produces every season. I'd love to have him on the Flames. I see no reason to believe that he's a quitter or hard to coach other than the Toronto media continues to paint him to be that way. And as I said above, I never believe the Toronto media.

That being said the contract is a definite concern. Also, Leaf Nation, after continually treating this guy like he's the most useless turd on skates, would ask for a king's ransom in return. I think for the right deal you look at it, but I see the Flames as unlikely to pay what the Leafs would want for return.

[Obsidian]

I'd make a one and only time offer of: 2015 1st + Glencross + Baertschi + depth pick

Don't hate dealing the first because It'll likely be a 15-20 pick, which are way more hit and miss. And if that's not enough then well, too bad. Cause that's the most we can afford to offer without hurting our future.

[jar_e]

Numbers-wise and player type-wise (ie. pure goal scorer) it sure makes sense for the Flames to be in the conversation. I don't think that's unreasonable. Furthermore, I think we all need to take the Toronto media with a grain of salt. There have been a handful of players that have been sub-par that played for the Leafs, got traded/signed else where, and have then been incredibly productive.

The pressure of playing in a win all season, every season market like Toronto is incredibly tiring on a player.

If the price is right, I think the Flames are negligent not to consider it. Obviously what the price should be is up for debate, but Kessel is a 27 year old who's had five 30+ goal seasons. He's not some third line bum.

[hurtin_albertan]

How good of a player really, is Kessel? I recognize that he can snipe, but other than that...

When I watch Kessel play I see a guy who gets along on talent alone, and puts almost no effort into anything but speeding up the wing for a shot. Does nobody else notice that he glides around with his stick at his hips waiting for somebody to pass him the puck in the defensive zone? He strikes me as a total "me and my goal totals first" kind of player, and not at all the kind of guy you win with. Isn't that exactly the kind of thing we lambaste the Oilers for valuing so much around here?

I don't know, count me in the not interested whatsoever camp.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by dino7c

if Kessel was playing somewhere other than TO people would be all over it

I think you are right, but only insofar as Kessel's flaws would be far easier to hide in almost any other market.

The guy can snipe, but despite that, he is not someone you can build a winner around. And for a team like Calgary where success is dependent on every player buying in, Kessel is a disaster waiting to happen. Even if he could give you 30 goals a year.

[spuzzum]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Its one thing to trade for a guy when he's in his early 20s and another when he's in his late 20s. A lot more expensive and production will trend downward. Burke isn't a dope - he understands this.

https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid...0phil%20kessel

Do we consider this late 20s or mid 20s? A lot of our comments sound like Phil will be ready for the grave in 6 or 7 years from now. I'm heading to the shop now to get my rocker and walking stool. God do I feel old!

[the_only_turek_fan]

If we have to give up zero assets and get him for just the cost of a cap hit I could be ok with that.

[spuzzum]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

If we have to give up zero assets and get him for just the cost of a cap hit I could be ok with that.

Past 5 seasons for Phil Kessel:
-Top 5 in NHL for points beating out players such as Patrick Kane, John Tavares, Joe Thornton, and Cory Perry.
-Top 4 in NHL for goals behind only Ovi, Perry, and Stamkos.

I'd give up garbage for him too.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by spuzzum

Past 5 seasons for Phil Kessel:
-Top 5 in NHL for points beating out players such as Patrick Kane, John Tavares, Joe Thornton, and Cory Perry.
-Top 4 in NHL for goals behind only Ovi, Perry, and Stamkos.

I'd give up garbage for him too.

I don't want to be paying Kessel 8m when he is in his mid 30's and declining. When we're eventually contending, his contract would be a pain to move.

[rhino]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I don't want to be paying Kessel 8m when he is in his mid 30's and declining. When we're eventually contending, his contract would be a pain to move.

Well good thing YOU would not be the one paying him. If a team can add a player with his natural ability in his prime I think you have to have a real serious look at it.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by rhino

Well good thing YOU would not be the one paying him. If a team can add a player with his natural ability in his prime I think you have to have a real serious look at it.

Kessel is not the answer.

[keenan87]

To Toronto:
1st 2015
Curtis Glencross
Sven Baertschi
Markus Granlund

To Calgary:
Phil Kessel

Gaudreau-Monahan-Kessel
Bennett-Backlund-Hudler
Bouma-Colborne-Poirier

[Coach]

Originally Posted by rhino

Well good thing YOU would not be the one paying him. If a team can add a player with his natural ability in his prime I think you have to have a real serious look at it.

What if he's paid 8m/year wayyyy past his prime which will have a large impact on the ability to sign our own stars coming into their prime?

He's not worth what he's paid long-term, and he's not worth the asset cost to get him. Even if TO retains salary for a more reasonable 5-6 mil caphit, the asset cost still isn't worth it.

He has the natural ability you mention, but very little else. And there's a lot of historical evidence of players getting by on pure talent that don't maintain that past their prime age. IMO, Kessel is not even in his prime, he's on the back end. So you maybe get 1-3 years of prime Kessel and then another 4-6 years of non-prime Kessel at the same price.

That price might not matter this year or next, but it certainly matters in the future.

[goaliemaskguy]

Originally Posted by MattyC

That price might not matter this year or next, but it certainly matters in the future.

Based on the economics of the game since the revenue tied salary cap was introduced though, the cap hit for Kessel may become a declining percentage of your total cap value.

If we can get him, I'd take him. I'd be slightly worried about him in the room, but I think we have more than enough character to offset the baggage he might bring.

The TO media is on him every day because they are losing all the time. When they are winning, they go to a better interview.

[spuzzum]

Agreed that Kessel might not be a league top 10 goal or point scorer by the end of the contract, but that being said, the total percentage to the team cap in 7 or 8 years will
significantly less. He'd also only be 34 or 35 which isn't 6 feet under quite yet.

I am not a Kessel fan but not to explore obtaining one of the best RWs in the game in an area that we're especially thin talent wise would not be prudent.

Is he worth what Toronto originally paid? 2 1st rounders and a 2nd? I'd say yes if the first rounders are mid level or higher.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by goaliemaskguy

Based on the economics of the game since the revenue tied salary cap was introduced though, the cap hit for Kessel may become a declining percentage of your total cap value.

If we can get him, I'd take him. I'd be slightly worried about him in the room, but I think we have more than enough character to offset the baggage he might bring.

To the first point, while it has been true to this point, the economics of NA today will really test this. The next few years (and probably for the long term) of a low CDN dollar could have a substantial impact. It's probably more likely to float around the same or drop slightly than it is to increase substantially.

The bolded part I just don't get. The required assets to attain him HAVE to be taken into consideration. "If you can get, take him" implies that you're not concerned with what has to go back the other way. I'd prefer to keep our assets, a few of whom may have the potential to be Kessel-type players.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by keenan87

To Toronto:
1st 2015
Curtis Glencross
Sven Baertschi
Markus Granlund

To Calgary:
Phil Kessel

Gaudreau-Monahan-Kessel
Bennett-Backlund-Hudler
Bouma-Colborne-Poirier

Ugh, no thanks. Giving up this type of package for Kessel would be a 180 from the current Flames course, which I would very much oppose.

Baertschi and Glencross in a package? Sure. But I would rather keep the 1st and Granlund.