[Trade] Leafs trade Spaling/Polak to SJ for two 2nd rd picks

[Ashasx]

Polak is absolute trash so this return bodes well for Russell.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

I'm pretty sure with the Pens the deal is if the Pens make the playoffs the Leafs get their 1st rounder. If they don't make it they get their 2nd rounder.

Not entirely true

If Pens make playoffs, Leafs get the Pens 2016 first rounder and Pens get their 2016 second rounder back (not leafs 2nd rounder)

If Pens miss playoffs this year but make next year, the leafs get Pens 2017 first and Pens get Leafs 2017 2nd rounder

If Pens miss playoffs this year and next year, leafs get Pens 2017 second rounder and Pens do not get a pick

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Polak is absolute trash so this return bodes well for Russell.

The fact that one team stupidly overpaid - largely because they are cap screwed - doesn't set the market for Russell at all.

This is more along the lines of the Regehr trade to Buffalo.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Polak is absolute trash so this return bodes well for Russell.

seems a bit harsh. He's been a pretty servicable bottom 3 guy in my viewings of the leafs this year.

russel definitely is in a tier above polak so i don't disagree that this helps set the price for russel.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Great job by the Leafs.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

seems a bit harsh. He's been a pretty servicable bottom 3 guy in my viewings of the leafs this year.

russel definitely is in a tier above polak so i don't disagree that this helps set the price for russel.

Polak might have been the only other relatively big name on the market right now with worse advanced stats than Russell.

I don't understand how some GMs can be so far behind the times.

[polak]

Gotta admit this caught me off guard but Im excited to be joining the playoff drive.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Sharks traded their 1st for Martin Jones. So they probably wanted to keep 2016. I'd guess if it was the 2016 pick, they'd have gotten a 2017 3rd instead of a second 2nd round pick.

Yeah, no, I got confused - it was the Ducks who traded their 2nd this year (for Bieksa). I'm apparently off to an addle-minded start today...

[Poe969]

Shouldn't you be smiling then and does this make you stop being negative about the Flames? lol

You'd have to think this bodes well for the Flames but Russell is a different kind of player but I think Russell is now the top UFA defenseman on the market. I'm thinking to the Stars.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

^Hamhuis is still the top guy up for trade. So watch Vancouver hold on to him and lose him for nothing.

[Hackey]

Nice return.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Unfortunately this looks like a GM going after a big 240 pound physical defenseman with the belief that's what's needed in the playoffs. Much like Douglass Murray a couple years ago.

I don't know if this has a ton of bearing on Russell.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Unfortunately this looks like a GM going after a big 240 pound physical defenseman with the belief that's what's needed in the playoffs. Much like Douglass Murray a couple years ago.

I don't know if this has a ton of bearing on Russell.

Polak is only 29, he isn't anywhere near being over the hill like Douglass Murray was when he was rented. Polak is a solid addition by San Jose here and considering that Dallas was rumoured to be interested in one of Russell/Polak that means this trade does hold some significance when looking at trade value for Russell. Right now I think a 2nd rd pick and a 4th rnd pick is about the value for Kris.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Polak is only 29, he isn't anywhere near being over the hill like Douglass Murray was when he was rented. Polak is a solid addition by San Jose here and considering that Dallas was rumoured to be interested in one of Russell/Polak that means this trade does hold some significance when looking at trade value for Russell. Right now I think a 2nd rd pick and a 4th rnd pick is about the value for Kris.

Polak was arguably a #5 on the Leafs throughout most the season though. A depth bottom pairing defenseman returned two 2nd round picks (with a fourth liner and a 0.5M dead space contract thrown in). If that's what Polak got, Russell, being the inarguable better defenseman, should be worth at least multiple 2nds as well. However, I think Wilson's thinking "size good." Therefore, I don't think we can safely say that Russell>Polak, Russell's return will therefore be greater than Polak's.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Russell >> Polak.

That'd a great return for him. Spaling is worth probably a 3rd, so a 2nd + 3rd roughly for Polak.

Different players... Polak > Russell in toughness and PK

Polak was getting 17 minutes /game for the whole season when the Blues traded Russell to the Flames for a 5th round pick.

San Jose is looking at the Ducks in the 1st round. Who would you rather have on the ice against the Ducks top 2 lines?

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Polak was arguably a #5 on the Leafs throughout most the season though. A depth bottom pairing defenseman returned two 2nd round picks (with a fourth liner and a 0.5M dead space contract thrown in). If that's what Polak got, Russell, being the inarguable better defenseman should be worth at least multiple 2nds as well. However, I think Wilson's thinking "size good." Therefore, I don't think we can safely say that Russell>Polak, Russell's return will therefore be greater than Polak's.

Teams get far more desperate as the deadline approaches especially if other teams they are battling with get what they need. Hopefully we dont wait too long though... I see what you're saying but I still think we could/should get a bigger return for a better defensive option.

[Ashasx]

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Polak might have been the only other relatively big name on the market right now with worse advanced stats than Russell.

I don't understand how some GMs can be so far behind the times.

Cause advanced stats aren't as important as a group of fans who overrates their impact think they are. I'm not sure why they are so behind the times they actually think some stats replace watching a player, its hilarious!

In reality Polak is a gritty, physical, pain in the ass to play against. The exact type of defenceman that helps you whack, hack and punish forwards near your net. Where are the advanced stats for how much it hurts to stand in front of the net when Polak is all over you?

This is why Engelland will be worth a 2nd+ if we choose to move him. Advanced stat fanboys will always underrate the value of physical defensive defencemen going into the playoffs. Having extra depth in that area is key.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Good deal for the Leafs. Hopefully 2nd rounders + are the currency for this year's deadline.

[Matty81]

This sets a great value for Russell. Yes Polak is a different kind of player but my sense is that Russell is valued differently but ultimately much higher by nhl gms... Thus the expectation that he'll make 4-5 mil as a UFA. I don't think anyone would say that about Polak.

And there are other parts buy nothing massively significant. Spaling has negligible value... 1 goal all year. Torres is a bit of a cap dump but only makes 1 milion. Net value is not close to a 2nd. Maybe a 4th or 5th for just that transaction at most.

Dare I say it... I'm hoping for a late first for Russell now. Although I agree that targeting a prospect who is closer would make more sense for where the flames are at.