Florida interested in Kessel

[Stickytape]

Also, what if Kessel doesn't want to go to Florida?  He does have the limited no trade.  If he doesn't want to go there it's possible he has said as much.

He owns property and spends his summers in Florida anyway, doesn't he? I know that's not always the biggest factor, but I can't imagine he would turn down the offer.

[CarltonTheBear]

Also, what if Kessel doesn't want to go to Florida?  He does have the limited no trade.  If he doesn't want to go there it's possible he has said as much.

Kessel's already said this: “I go where they want me. I love Toronto. But [if] it’s not here, it’s not here.” And really, I doubt he'd be too bummed about going to Florida.

[sickbeast]

I would really love to see Kessel play with McDavid. It will never happen though. I actually really like Kessel and I really hope that they get a lot in return for him otherwise I won't want to see him go.

[Can8899]

The article is not clear at all on who the non-starters are so I'm just going to assume that Bjugstad is not on the list.

I would be happy with something like:

Nick Bjugstad
Tomas Fleischman (for cap reasons only)
Prospect
1st Rounder this year or next.

[slapshot]

I think what they are talking about sounds out to lunch. They don't want to give up any of the young studs but just have us hand Kessel over, so they can compete but we can't in our own conference.

[RedLeaf]

The article is not clear at all on who the non-starters are so I'm just going to assume that Bjugstad is not on the list.

I would be happy with something like:

Nick Bjugstad
Tomas Fleischman (for cap reasons only)
Prospect
1st Rounder this year or next.

I say throw in Gardiner and ask for Ekblad. Surely Kessel + Gardiner = Ekblad

[Chev-boyar-sky]

The article is not clear at all on who the non-starters are so I'm just going to assume that Bjugstad is not on the list.

I would be happy with something like:

Nick Bjugstad
Tomas Fleischman (for cap reasons only)
Prospect
1st Rounder this year or next.

I say throw in Gardiner and ask for Ekblad. Surely Kessel + Gardiner = Ekblad

There's just no chance that they'd do that. 32 pts and 9 G in 55 games as a rookie. He costs them very little against the cap for the next few years vs. the 12M of Gardiner + Kessel.

Throw in our 1st and I'm sure you'd get a deal.

[CarltonTheBear]

I say throw in Gardiner and ask for Ekblad. Surely Kessel + Gardiner = Ekblad

They're not moving Ekblad. It's really that simple.

[RedLeaf]

I say throw in Gardiner and ask for Ekblad. Surely Kessel + Gardiner = Ekblad

They're not moving Ekblad. It's really that simple.

I agree. I'm just talking equal value. I'd rather not be fleeced on a deal for Kessel. If they aren't even willing to consider one of their young stars, then whats the point, really? Kessel's worth is greater than whichever teams agrees to rape you the least. I  know there are many fans guilty of overvaluing Leafs players, but I think sometimes it goes too far to the other side. Wait until next season, when Kessel goes on another tear, then shop him.

[Nik]

I agree. I'm just talking equal value. I'd rather not be fleeced on a deal for Kessel. If they aren't even willing to consider one of their young stars, then whats the point, really?

The point is that you're starting from scratch and you need to turn the assets on the team into the best possible return. That doesn't mean Florida necessarily but there will come a point where the Leafs will have to go with the best offer, whatever it is.

[RedLeaf]

I agree. I'm just talking equal value. I'd rather not be fleeced on a deal for Kessel. If they aren't even willing to consider one of their young stars, then whats the point, really?

The point is that you're starting from scratch and you need to turn the assets on the team into the best possible return. That doesn't mean Florida necessarily but there will come a point where the Leafs will have to go with the best offer, whatever it is.

Sure, but the Leafs can also afford to wait until the right offer comes. They don't need to sell to the highest bidder this instant, no matter what the return.

[Nik]

I agree. I'm just talking equal value. I'd rather not be fleeced on a deal for Kessel. If they aren't even willing to consider one of their young stars, then whats the point, really?

The point is that you're starting from scratch and you need to turn the assets on the team into the best possible return. That doesn't mean Florida necessarily but there will come a point where the Leafs will have to go with the best offer, whatever it is.

Sure, but the Leafs can also afford to wait until the right offer comes. They don't need to sell to the highest bidder this instant, no matter what the return.

Right. That's why I said "will come a point". I don't know when that is, it might be at the draft, but I don't think you want to go into next year with Kessel still on the team. I want the best realistic return for Kessel but the rebuild is more important than just what you get for him.

[Chev-boyar-sky]

There's not really anything else on their roster TBH.

I'd send them Kessel and Bozak for Huberdeau, Bjugstad and a 1st and 2nd from this year and be done with it.

Anyone think they'd do that? Is it enough of a return?

A Kessel/Bozak package would be interesting (and of course hilarious). At first glance I would absolutely do that deal, but I doubt Florida does. Florida would only be interesting in Bozak as a 2C if they move Bjugstad, so let's say he stays in the deal and Huberdeau is downgraded to a slightly lesser prospect like Trocheck. Maybe that does it, who knows though.

Yeah that'd be a non-starter for me unless there were another high pick involved or Gudbranson in the place of Trochek.

Maybe even add in Polak?

Kessel, Bozak, Polak for Huberdeau, Trochek, Gudbranson + 2015 1st and 2nd.

I think I'd rather Huberdeau over Bjugstad in the long run.

[LuncheonMeat]

I agree. I'm just talking equal value. I'd rather not be fleeced on a deal for Kessel. If they aren't even willing to consider one of their young stars, then whats the point, really?

The point is that you're starting from scratch and you need to turn the assets on the team into the best possible return. That doesn't mean Florida necessarily but there will come a point where the Leafs will have to go with the best offer, whatever it is.

Sure, but the Leafs can also afford to wait until the right offer comes. They don't need to sell to the highest bidder this instant, no matter what the return.

But if this draft is as strong as is being suggested, they really shouldn't wait.  The point is to stockpile as many 1st and 2nd round picks as possible prior to the draft.  The other thing coming back in any Kessel deal is $8 million in cap space, and an (addition by subtraction) nitro booster for the tank.

[CarltonTheBear]

Yeah that'd be a non-starter for me unless there were another high pick involved or Gudbranson in the place of Trochek.

Maybe even add in Polak?

Kessel, Bozak, Polak for Huberdeau, Trochek, Gudbranson + 2015 1st and 2nd.

I think I'd rather Huberdeau over Bjugstad in the long run.

I just really don't think they'd be too interesting in basically abandoning their plan to build their team at this point. Bjugstad and Huberdeau are pretty integral parts there, moving one in a trade like this makes sense but moving two is almost like blowing up your core. I think moving both is pretty much completely off the table, guys like Polak and Bozak don't really move the needle all that much when players like that are being talked about. Maybe if the Leafs included somebody like Kadri, but again then you're asking the Panthers to blow up their plan when they don't really have to.