RealGM

_venom_ wrote:If swapping Kessel for Nash was a possibility then I would be all over it. Despite Kessel having the better season, he is nowhere near as complete of a player. Nash kills penalties (probably the best forward PK in the NHL), can hit, can score, and he's a leader. Kessel is one dimensional and he'll never become an all around player. I would only do that deal in a straight swap though because of the salary difference and the age difference.

Burke's offseason goal should be:

1) Get a goalie, a legitimate goalie. Try to pry Corey Schneider away from the Canucks. I would give up our pick this year unless it's 1st overall to get Schneider.

2) Try to shed the deadweight on this team. There's a lot of it so it will be hard. Connolly, Komisarek, Lombardi, Armstrong, Steckel should all be shipped out. Komisarek would be the toughest to move but I hope an amnesty clause in the new CBA takes care of him. The others will all be going into the final years of their contract so some teams may be willing to take them.

3) Try to get tougher up front. By this I don't mean going out and getting 3rd/4th line grinders. We need legit top 6 talent that can play in the corners and not getting moved off the puck easily. Guys like Nash, Brown, or Malone. Carlysle promotes cycling in the offensive zone and maintaining possession deep. We barely have anyone on the roster capable of that right now.

4) Do not sign mediocre players in free agency. This has been Burke's biggest problem as Leafs GM. Signing mediocre players like Komisarek, Connolly, and Armstrong to big contracts. If you can't get legitimate top tier players don't settle. Bring up a couple of kids for next season. Ashton can easily play on our 3rd line next season. Same with Frattin. Colborne and Kadri deserve to be up too. Don't waster roster spots on overpaid scrubs when you have cheaper, younger options at your disposal.

Crowned wrote:Trade Kessel for what reason? He's the 5th leading scorer in the NHL, making a shade over 5 million a year. He'll be 25 when the season starts up again next year, and put up outstanding stats with Bozak and Connolly as his center.

Here's an idea, instead of trading a 25 year old top 5 scorer, let's build around him. These trade ideas are just silly, and completely pointless.

Crowned wrote:Trade Kessel for what reason? He's the 5th leading scorer in the NHL, making a shade over 5 million a year. He'll be 25 when the season starts up again next year, and put up outstanding stats with Bozak and Connolly as his center.

Here's an idea, instead of trading a 25 year old top 5 scorer, let's build around him. These trade ideas are just silly, and completely pointless.

whysoserious wrote:Secondary to that, since SJ has slowly fallen from the top, could you see them possibly considering moving Thornton this off-season. If he somehow became available, he's still good enough and would be the perfect player to play with Kessel other than Getzlaf in Anaheim.

Deron05 wrote:

Crowned wrote:Trade Kessel for what reason? He's the 5th leading scorer in the NHL, making a shade over 5 million a year. He'll be 25 when the season starts up again next year, and put up outstanding stats with Bozak and Connolly as his center.

Here's an idea, instead of trading a 25 year old top 5 scorer, let's build around him. These trade ideas are just silly, and completely pointless.

Your joking about building around kessel, right? Kessel isnt a leader, he doesnt play defense, and he doesnt play physical. Kessel is a piece that puts you over the top. Kessel is a piece Nashville would add. But I wouldnt trade kessel, yet. I would get a big center. Imagine what he could do with some more open ice. And this is just a question, With the hiring of Carlyle, do you think he (carlyle) would want getzlaf here? Or do the guys in Anaheim want to come here?

Crowned wrote:

Deron05 wrote:

Crowned wrote:Trade Kessel for what reason? He's the 5th leading scorer in the NHL, making a shade over 5 million a year. He'll be 25 when the season starts up again next year, and put up outstanding stats with Bozak and Connolly as his center.

Here's an idea, instead of trading a 25 year old top 5 scorer, let's build around him. These trade ideas are just silly, and completely pointless.

Your joking about building around kessel, right? Kessel isnt a leader, he doesnt play defense, and he doesnt play physical. Kessel is a piece that puts you over the top. Kessel is a piece Nashville would add. But I wouldnt trade kessel, yet. I would get a big center. Imagine what he could do with some more open ice. And this is just a question, With the hiring of Carlyle, do you think he (carlyle) would want getzlaf here? Or do the guys in AnRaheim want to come here?

Why do you need Kessel to play physical or be a leader? He's 24 years old. It's not his job to be 'captain' like material. He's the 5th overall scorer (actually, tied with Spezza for 4th), 3rd in goals scored. Sorry, but that's not a piece Nashville adds to help them in the playoffs.

Why not build around him on the top line? He's not a cornerstone, but he's certainly someone you can build your offense around.

whysoserious wrote:It was nice to see the way this team played the last few games but unless they're going to pull off the comeback and get in the playoffs, I don't want to see them winning games. I'd rather they play the right way like they have recently and continue to lose games.

If they do finish with a pick in the 7-10 range, I'm hopeful they move that pick and another prospect or something for a frontline center.

Bankai wrote:Is their a point where mercy has to kick in?