Please tell us what #1 centre of a draft pick Burke traded? He didn't.

The best centre out of players Burke drafted and traded is Kadri,(Apparently he did not trade all his draft picks) who @ 22 last season had 44 points in 48 games. Counting out Kadri as a #1 centre at this point is extremely premature.

And the Leafs future looks fine starting with Kessel.
- RogerRoeper

Gotta sign him first. As for the rest of the future, this is the team that needs to do it. Aside from Rielly, the Leafs don't have any high-end help on the way. The majority of the team is in the 25-30 range now. Still a relatively young team but most of the team is in its prime or just entering its prime. Given the makeup of the organization, the Leafs window is now. Your GM agrees, as evidenced by the deals for Bolland and Clarkson: deals designed to help immediately that could hurt long term.

Loui Eriksson > Phil Kessel

Still a win for Boston +
- LeftCoaster

yes, and you believe in the Sugar Plum fairy too!

yes, and you believe in the Sugar Plum fairy too!
- Old Pappy

Sugar Plum fairy? Why not go with something more secure like Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny? get your point across firmly. Sugar Plum Fairy just sounds so lame. Kessel has a ridiculous face.

You Toronto fans live in something of a bubble. This did not come out of nowhere with Beauchemin. He was an outstanding defenseman for Anaheim for a few years before joining the Leafs. Was a huge part of their Cup win in 2007. He wasn't the greatest in Toronto because he played for a lousy team with lousy players and lousy coaching.
- Gary_B.

It really doesn't matter. It was a fantastic trade for Toronto and a very bad move by Anaheim in not re-signing Beauchemin to begin with. Beachemin was bad in Toronto. Yes, it had to do with things beyond his control, but to get Gardiner+lupul for a free UFA signing that didn't work out was unbelievable.

Gotta sign him first. As for the rest of the future, this is the team that needs to do it. Aside from Rielly, the Leafs don't have any high-end help on the way. The majority of the team is in the 25-30 range now. Still a relatively young team but most of the team is in its prime or just entering its prime. Given the makeup of the organization, the Leafs window is now. Your GM agrees, as evidenced by the deals for Bolland and Clarkson: deals designed to help immediately that could hurt long term.
- Gary_B.

Well Bolland+ Clarkson only cost money and low draft picks. They didn't exactly sell the farm.

Seguin+Hamilton+Knight for Kessel
- annoyance_101

I absolutely love Kessel. One of my favourite trades tbh. Seguin is a solid player no doubt, and Hamilton has some real solid potential, whereas Knight is still yet to be seen..but Phil Kessel man...what an amazing player to watch. I'm sure in retrospect if you could trade 2 1sts and a 2nd for the Markus Naslund you got to watch, i'm sure you would do it. I know he was acquired for less, but just to place a value on him, i'm sure you'd value him right next to what the Leafs paid for Kessel. PS: Not to be a homer either, but i think Kessels speed and game breaker qualities (at least from what he's shown in his short stints as a playoff performer with the Leafs and Bruins), makes him better than Naslund, however, Kessel still has a lot to accomplish for that to be a statement of truth rather than just opinion.

It really doesn't matter. It was a fantastic trade for Toronto and a very bad move by Anaheim in not re-signing Beauchemin to begin with. Beachemin was bad in Toronto. Yes, it had to do with things beyond his control, but to get Gardiner+lupul for a free UFA signing that didn't work out was unbelievable.
- RogerRoeper

Absolutely. Honestly, who knew Lupul had this kinda gas in his tank, and who knew Gards would step out of college with the ability to command the ice in similar fashion against pros though. Was a great trade, but one that is understandable from Anaheims standpoint, just based on their previous success with Beauch in their lineup. A cup is what its about at the end of the day, and i think he brings what embodied their reasoning for winning their first cup. (toughness, grit and leadership).

Absolutely. Honestly, who knew Lupul had this kinda gas in his tank, and who knew Gards would step out of college with the ability to command the ice in similar fashion against pros though. Was a great trade, but one that is understandable from Anaheims standpoint, just based on their previous success with Beauch in their lineup. A cup is what its about at the end of the day, and i think he brings what embodied their reasoning for winning their first cup. (toughness, grit and leadership).
- Rysko81

The one big issue for Anaheim was they let Beauchemin go, only to give up Lupul+Gardiner (And they let Gardiner go because they had Shultz...)18 months later. Huge mistake not re-signing him to begin with.

I absolutely love Kessel. One of my favourite trades tbh. Seguin is a solid player no doubt, and Hamilton has some real solid potential, whereas Knight is still yet to be seen..but Phil Kessel man...what an amazing player to watch. I'm sure in retrospect if you could trade 2 1sts and a 2nd for the Markus Naslund you got to watch, i'm sure you would do it. I know he was acquired for less, but just to place a value on him, i'm sure you'd value him right next to what the Leafs paid for Kessel. PS: Not to be a homer either, but i think Kessels speed and game breaker qualities (at least from what he's shown in his short stints as a playoff performer with the Leafs and Bruins), makes him better than Naslund, however, Kessel still has a lot to accomplish for that to be a statement of truth rather than just opinion.
- Rysko81

Kessel is better than Naslund. Naslund was a late bloomer and lost a step quickly. He had or 3 elite seasons. Kessel's career will be much better.

It really doesn't matter. It was a fantastic trade for Toronto and a very bad move by Anaheim in not re-signing Beauchemin to begin with. Beachemin was bad in Toronto. Yes, it had to do with things beyond his control, but to get Gardiner+lupul for a free UFA signing that didn't work out was unbelievable.
- RogerRoeper

I wasn't commenting on the trade. Absolutely it was a phenomenal trade. I was more commenting on Beauchemin bei g perceived as coming out of nowhere. Just because that guy didn't know anything about Beauchemin before his time in Toronto, doesn't mean he wasn't a really good player.

I don't like Bozak...but you know Vern Fiddler is on the Stars? Even bozak is better than that
- annoyance_101

Loui is a solid player no doubt, underratedly crafty, and a solid playmaker for a winger, but i really think your assessment of the comparison of him and Kessel is very biased, and based on a hatred for the Leafs than your actual belief on the matter. I think if you had a choice at the end of the day, who you'd rather have playing with the Sedins...Kessel, or Loui, i think we all know what your answer would be. PS: That would be effing lethal btw lol.

It really doesn't matter. It was a fantastic trade for Toronto and a very bad move by Anaheim in not re-signing Beauchemin to begin with. Beachemin was bad in Toronto. Yes, it had to do with things beyond his control, but to get Gardiner+lupul for a free UFA signing that didn't work out was unbelievable.
- RogerRoeper

You realize Lupul was a salary dump by Anaheim right? It turned out well for the Leafs and Joffery in that he finally got healthy and he found some chemistry, that said, the Ducks were more than happy to get rid of him. It wasn't some big steal for the Leafs, at the time. Worked out well in the long run for both teams but no one drew it up that way.

I wasn't commenting on the trade. Absolutely it was a phenomenal trade. I was more commenting on Beauchemin bei g perceived as coming out of nowhere. Just because that guy didn't know anything about Beauchemin before his time in Toronto, doesn't mean he wasn't a really good player.
- Gary_B.

There's no cup in 07' without Beauchemin. He actually got more ice-time in the 07' playoffs than Pronger and Neidermayer.

Kessel is better than Naslund. Naslund was a late bloomer and lost a step quickly. He had or 3 elite seasons. Kessel's career will be much better.
- RogerRoeper

Agreed. Those years were pretty incredible though ya gotta admit. Class act as well. I agree though that Kessels career has the potential to be far greater for sure.

You realize Lupul was a salary dump by Anaheim right? It turned out well for the Leafs and Joffery in that he finally got healthy and he found some chemistry, that said, the Ducks were more than happy to get rid of him. It wasn't some big steal for the Leafs, at the time. Worked out well in the long run for both teams but no one drew it up that way.
- LeftCoaster

Are the Ducks more than happy to have lost Lupul+Gardiner for nothing now, considering they let Beauchemin go via free agency and could have re-signed him for nothing?

The trade does not look good for Anaheim given the circumstances.

You realize Lupul was a salary dump by Anaheim right? It turned out well for the Leafs and Joffery in that he finally got healthy and he found some chemistry, that said, the Ducks were more than happy to get rid of him. It wasn't some big steal for the Leafs, at the time. Worked out well in the long run for both teams but no one drew it up that way.
- LeftCoaster

Its pretty crazy what a new opportunity and change of scenery can do for a player. Sometimes all you need is just one more chance, with someone believin' in ya.

Loui is a solid player no doubt, underratedly crafty, and a solid playmaker for a winger, but i really think your assessment of the comparison of him and Kessel is very biased, and based on a hatred for the Leafs than your actual belief on the matter. I think if you had a choice at the end of the day, who you'd rather have playing with the Sedins...Kessel, or Loui, i think we all know what your answer would be. PS: That would be effing lethal btw lol.
- Rysko81

We've seen guys in small hockey markets get hyped before and not live up to it in bigger hockey markets. This is Loui's biggest test. We'll see if he's as good as people think.

You realize Lupul was a salary dump by Anaheim right? It turned out well for the Leafs and Joffery in that he finally got healthy and he found some chemistry, that said, the Ducks were more than happy to get rid of him. It wasn't some big steal for the Leafs, at the time. Worked out well in the long run for both teams but no one drew it up that way.
- LeftCoaster

Its pretty crazy what a new opportunity and change of scenery can do for a player. Sometimes all you need is just one more chance, with someone believin' in ya.

We've seen guys in small hockey markets get hyped before and not live up to it in bigger hockey markets. This is Loui's biggest test. We'll see if he's as good as people think.
- RogerRoeper

Still think Boston pulled the plug on Seguin too early and will regret it. They won't put up with his crap but they have no problem with a guy like Brad Marchand who embarrasses the organization on just about every shift? That said I think Erickson will put up some serious numbers in Boston. Guy is a bonafide first line player.

Malone (cap issue's), Kucherov, Namestinkov 2014 first and 2015 second

The one big issue for Anaheim was they let Beauchemin go, only to give up Lupul+Gardiner (And they let Gardiner go because they had Shultz...)18 months later. Huge mistake not re-signing him to begin with.
- RogerRoeper

The human mind is never perfect, we make decisions based on probability rather than through our understanding of energy and potential and how to maximize such. Theres something about giving up on certain potential, that fuels those assets you're giving away as well..almost creates a momentum for those players, that perhaps would've never been there had they have stayed in the system and never traded. For all we know, a nix of the same trade on Anahiems part, could've been viewed as a huge mistake for not reacquiring a player like Beauchemin right? We will never see that reality through these eyes though so who knows.

The one big issue for Anaheim was they let Beauchemin go, only to give up Lupul+Gardiner (And they let Gardiner go because they had Shultz...)18 months later. Huge mistake not re-signing him to begin with.
- RogerRoeper

The human mind is never perfect, we make decisions based on probability rather than through our understanding of energy and potential and how to maximize such. Theres something about giving up on certain potential, that fuels those assets you're giving away as well..almost creates a momentum for those players, that perhaps would've never been there had they have stayed in the system and never traded. For all we know, a nix of the same trade on Anahiems part, could've been viewed as a huge mistake for not reacquiring a player like Beauchemin right? We will never see that reality through these eyes though so who knows.

Still think Boston pulled the plug on Seguin too early and will regret it. They won't put up with his crap but they have no problem with a guy like Brad Marchand who embarrasses the organization on just about every shift? That said I think Erickson will put up some serious numbers in Boston. Guy is a bonafide first line player.
- Gary_B.

Boston is the only organization that trades young top picks so early. Kessel, Thorton Seguin.

Its pretty crazy what a new opportunity and change of scenery can do for a player. Sometimes all you need is just one more chance, with someone believin' in ya.
- Rysko81

Finally getting healthy was the biggest contributor in my opinion, but a change is as good as the rest sometime.

Are the Ducks more than happy to have lost Lupul+Gardiner for nothing now, considering they let Beauchemin go via free agency and could have re-signed him for nothing?

The trade does not look good for Anaheim given the circumstances.
- RogerRoeper

Every team has made trades that look bad in retrospect. At the time, I don't recall any leafs fans predicting Lupul would have the sort of production he has, including you. easy to crow about a winning hand after it's been dealt.