LeBrun: Wouldn't surprise if Flames explore Kessel

[T@T]

People assume because Burke made a mistake trading for Kessel once he would do it again.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by T@T

People assume because Burke made a mistake trading for Kessel once he would do it again.

Most people don't assume anything when it comes to Burke acquiring players because HE IS NOT THE GM. Why are people still not getting that?

[Lanny'sDaMan]

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Honestly, we get hosed on that one.

I don't disagree, but I think that is what a salary-retained Kessel trade would garner.

Again, at $8M, no way.

But at $6M, I would think he would return something similar to what Kesler got: Bonino, Sbiza and a 1st

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by T@T

People assume because Burke made a mistake trading for Kessel once he would do it again.

No kidding. Kessel helped get Burke fired once so one would think he wouldn't be keen to double dip from that well.

[CliffFletcher]

I've never heard anything to suggest Burke regretted trading for Kessel. It's certainly not the reason he lost his job.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I've never heard anything to suggest Burke regretted trading for Kessel. It's certainly not the reason he lost his job.

Burke is a proud man and much like Darryl Sutter you will never get him to admit a mistake so take anything he says regarding Kessel with a grain of salt. If Kessel was the player Burke hoped he would be chances are he's still a Leafs employee. He essentially gave up Seguin and Hamilton for him and tell me those two players wouldn't look good right now in a Leafs uniform. Bad trade which ultimately led to his firing much like the Phaneuf deal led to Darryl Sutter's demise.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Most people don't assume anything when it comes to Burke acquiring players because HE IS NOT THE GM. Why are people still not getting that?

BECAUSE HE WAS ONCE THE GM (here in Calgary)! And he's the boss of the person who is the current GM.

If you work in an environment where the next level above someone gives full autonomy to those under - excellent. That isn't what goes on in most sports franchises, moreover, Burke was hired after the RoR fiasco to be able to get involved, consulted on hockey related moves.

Doesn't mean he would force the GM now to get Kessel, but he might certainly suggest it if the price is right and he feels he can still contribute.

[Enoch Root]

If there is ever a trade that large, there is no question Burke would be involved.

However, that is different than saying the trade would suddenly involve players of Burke's choosing.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Burke is a proud man and much like Darryl Sutter you will never get him to admit a mistake so take anything he says regarding Kessel with a grain of salt. If Kessel was the player Burke hoped he would be chances are he's still a Leafs employee. He essentially gave up Seguin and Hamilton for him and tell me those two players wouldn't look good right now in a Leafs uniform. Bad trade which ultimately led to his firing much like the Phaneuf deal led to Darryl Sutter's demise.

Burke obviously didn't think the picks would be that high. So his mistake wasn't the deal, it was being overly optimistic about where Toronto would finish the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Phil Kessel was exactly what Burke or anyone else trading for him could have reasonably expected him to be - a highly-productive scoring winger just entering his prime. People knew that he was a one-dimensional player when he was dealt. And as far as production goes, it's hard to complain.

Let's say the Flames trade their 2016 1st round pick for Keith Yandle in September. Is that a terrible trade? Depends on where they finish the season. If they finish 29th in the league, it's a terrible trade. If they finish 12th, it's pretty decent.

I guess the lesson is don't trade away 1st round picks one and two full seasons in advance.

[greentree]

Originally Posted by btimbit

It is, he's the one on the right isn't he?

He's definitely the guy on the right. He's also the guy on the left. And he took the photo. Which is why everyone believes that photo is legit. And dares not have fun with it!

[Mr.Coffee]

It's pretty hilarious people think Burke is removed or something from the hockey decisions just because he isn't the GM.

Come on now... like Burke walks in around 10am into Treliving's office "so whatcha been up to? Oh you traded Giordano?? Crazy! Nice, what'd you get for him?"

[spetch]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

It's pretty hilarious people think Burke is removed or something from the hockey decisions just because he isn't the GM.

Come on now... like Burke walks in around 10am into Treliving's office "so whatcha been up to? Oh you traded Giordano?? Crazy! Nice, what'd you get for him?"

True but I also don't believe he goes in the office and says trade for Kessel or you're fired.

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Come on now... like Burke walks in around 10am into Treliving's office "so whatcha been up to? Oh you traded Giordano?? Crazy! Nice, what'd you get for him?"

If thats the case then Eric, you'd better get munchin'

Originally Posted by Eric

If Gio is traded this year I will eat my pubes.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

It's pretty hilarious people think Burke is removed or something from the hockey decisions just because he isn't the GM...

People tend to think along these lines because since Treliving has been with the Flames, Burke has been completely invisible.

Yes, of course he is still involved in hockey operations, but there is no clear indications at all that he is the one that is driving the roster decisions. If anything, it looks to me like his "stamp" on the on-ice product of this team has faded some in the past year.

[Da_Chief]

I'd love to add Kessel, the guys scores goals. He's on a ####ty team right now where every move is magnified.

Put him on a team environment like the Flames where he just has to be one of the guys and he'll thrive. Some of you're making him sound like 38 year old over the hill player. He still has ton of good hockey left in him.

Gaudreau feeding Monahan and Kessel would be a treat to watch.

Sure he'll take cap space but at the same time like of Smid, Engelland, Jones etc will be moving on and cheaper prospects taking their place. There's room here to add his 8 mill and have Gio, Gaudreau, Monahan make their big money too.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

I'd love to add Kessel, the guys scores goals. He's on a ####ty team right now where every move is magnified.

Put him on a team environment like the Flames where he just has to be one of the guys and he'll thrive. Some of you're making him sound like 38 year old over the hill player. He still has ton of good hockey left in him.

Gaudreau feeding Monahan and Kessel would be a treat to watch.

Sure he'll take cap space but at the same time like of Smid, Engelland, Jones etc will be moving on and cheaper prospects taking their place. There's room here to add his 8 mill and have Gio, Gaudreau, Monahan make their big money too.

Here's the rub:

You say "add" him to the team environment. What makes a good team environment? Good teammates

[Jables16]

This is the sort of dumb speculation that I thought LeBrun was better than. Not that he's 100 percent wrong, really the Flames brass would not be doing their job if they didn't kick tires on any player who is a perennial 30 goal scorer if they're available. That said I can't imagine any actual source actually told him anything about this, it's probably just a lazy story and pure rumor mongering to drive up web traffic as the frenzy grows toward deadline day.

[dying4acup]

Some people seem to think that once likes a guy, he always wants him on his team. He drafted Bobby Ryan, and everybody knows that he didn't want him on team USA. How many ex-canucks did he bring to the ducks? How many ex-ducks did he bring to the leafs?

Also I agree, BURKE is an influence in hockey ops, but not the primary voice.

And if we take Kessel at 8M, then do we pay Gio 10m? If we extend Hudler is he worth 6-7m? We also need to start looking at extensions for Gaudreau and Monahan. Do we pay them 6m? Kessel throws the whole salary structure out of whack.

I don't want even want to discuss the assets it would take. But my best offer would be Sven, Granlund and a 2nd, with the leafs retaining 2m per season.

I like Kessel, but acquiring him this summer makes no sense. Acquiring him at the deadline makes less than no sense.

[calgarywinning]

Get gun out. Shoot foot. Go into TML spiral. Simple.

Have P Kessel. Shoot other foot. Go into another TML spiral.

Instruction sheet for acquiring Kessel.