Friedman: Flames a good fit for Kessel?

[burn_this_city]

I'd take him if they retained $3M a year in salary.

[Vinny01]

He admits the only reason he thinks about the Flames is because Burke.

He fills a need of scoring RW but the contract sucks with the Flames needing to keep Gio, Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett etc during the life of that deal.

Also I don't think Kessel would be too keen on coming to Calgary a small market Canadian team with a reputation of working extremely hard on fitness etc

[Murph]

I used to like Friedman.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by dammage79

5 million or 6 million a year Phil Kessel makes all sorts of sense for the Flames, 8 million Phil Kessel, not so much.

I'd be curious to see how Kessel would fare in CGY if he dedicated himself to the Flames Strength and conditioning mantra. 70/30 chance that Kessel wouldn't buy into that so I'd pass.

Still he'd be a legit #1 RW. personally don't think it would work though.

Agree with this.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Mitch

If we can get Kessel without giving up major pieces then I'm all for it. Kessel is an elite scorer in a position where we need to add more high end players. He wouldn't be expected to carry the team like he is with the leafs, which would take pressure off of him.

You do know that there is a salary cap in the NHL, right?

[dustygoon]

Mercury levels are low in this thread. We need Big Tuna.

[_Q_]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Kessel
Hudler - Bennett - Colborne

Or

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bennett - Backlund - Kessel

Both look incredible to me. But that salary is killer. If the Leafs were to retain some salary and he can be had at a decent price, I'd be all for it.

[jeffman]

Would he even waive to come here? We have one of the toughest fitness regimens in the league

[getbak]

I can't imagine Phil waiving his NMC for Calgary.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by jeffman

Would he even waive to come here? We have one of the toughest fitness regimens in the league

yeah I'm sure he'd be ecstatic to do some Hartley style mountain climbers and sweet sixteens. It'd be comedy gold.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by codynw

You do know that there is a salary cap in the NHL, right?

What did I say that made you think that I didn't? In terms of teams that might be interested in Kessel we are probably in one of the better cap situations and if you can move David Jones + other assets then it isn't as bad of a hit to our cap, especially with it going up.

[CroFlames]

I'd take Kessel at the right price, but not his contract. Too much & too long, simply put. There is no way to fit that contract into BT's plan.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Mitch

What did I say that made you think that I didn't? In terms of teams that might be interested in Kessel we are probably in one of the better cap situations and if you can move David Jones + other assets then it isn't as bad of a hit to our cap, especially with it going up.

There's 7 years left on his deal, and Monahan, Gaudreau, Giordano, Bennett, Bouma, Backlund, Brodie and whoever else will be getting raises or having their new deals kick in in the near future.

Being in a good cap situation right now doesn't mean you can just add any contract you want.

[dino7c]

If the guy played almost anywhere else the general feeling about him would be much different...that being said you can't give up too much for him considering the contract

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Gaudreau - Monahan - Kessel
Hudler - Bennett - Colborne

Or

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bennett - Backlund - Kessel

Both look incredible to me. But that salary is killer. If the Leafs were to retain some salary and he can be had at a decent price, I'd be all for it.

Rather have Poirier in my near future top 6 than Kessel.

[Erick Estrada]

Pretty sure Friedman's just throwing stuff against the wall here as first of all the Flames are very unlikely one of the supposed 8 teams he would accept a deal to. Second of all this comment is from Treliving this morning from Surelosses thread;

wouldn't hold our breath for taking on a high salary contract for assets
not that far down the road where the Flames need that cap space
have to be careful on the term in those type of scenarios
killer in cap system is term, have to constantly look 3 years down
very few roads to get rid of bad contracts - compliance buyouts are over - if you make a mistake you are living with it for a long time

Certainly doesn't sound like a GM that would be willing to take on an $8 million cap hit until 2022.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

It seems that the only reason they mentioned Calgary is because of Burke. Terrible logic, from a normally smart guy.

Freidman started the discussion speculating that it would make most sense that a team with championship window of the next 3-4 years. That would be most likely (with a trade of picks and prospects).

The Burke angle might come into play but I think it's more due to the amount of cap space we currently have and how deep the owner's pockets are. With his bad contract, Toronto might only have one or two bidders who can make this trade without needing salary retention or sending another bad contract back.

The Flames are in a somewhat unique position to win a trade here and the possibility should at least be explored. If something like Raymond+Klimchuk+2nd can get it done, you'd have to at least think about it. A top 6 of Gaudreau, Monahan, Kessel, Hudler, Bennett and one of Bouma/Backlund/Colborne would be deadly.

I firmly believe Hartley could work with Phil with any defensive/conditioning issues he might have. It would be part of the risk with bring him on, in addition to his contract. It would be understandable if the Flames just didn't think the risk vs reward was a gamble worth taking in this case. I'm sure they're at least thinking about it, or have already. I will support either decision, as long as we don't get "Gilmour'd".

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Rather have Poirier in my near future top 6 than Kessel.

I hope Emile puts it together, but I have my doubts.

[Jacks]

1) Leafs would need to retain.
2) Asking price would need to be reasonable.
3) Phil would need to buy into the team philosophy.
I doubt more than 1 of those 3 would be met.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I hope Emile puts it together, but I have my doubts.

Yea a first year pro that had 42 points in 55 AHL games and was named to the All Star team is real unlikely to put it together.