Im at work, i hate work. I approach these situations as i would women, come in strong, be sort of an a**hole, then cool off so everyone says "oh, hes not so bad." I honestly love talking unbiased hockey, and i hate the rep that ranger fans get (i guess all fans do though) of not knowing the game. So i tempered myself and here we are
- rferrone

Well, we're fairly ubiased (most of us) over here but first impressions are like bumholes: they all smell and have hair.

Well, we're fairly ubiased (most of us) over here but first impressions are like bumholes: they all smell and have hair.
- jmatchett383

Yeah try going to an oilers board with anything but edmonton under your name and it doesnt matter what you say they treat you as if you killed their firstborn. Im deathly loyal to my team and ill talk spit every once in a while but i also respect and appreciate intellectual conversation about the best sport in the world

Question philly fans. This is just something I've been thinking about.
would you want Kessel in a flyers jersey?
Would you want another 8 million dollar player on the roster knowing the future. Bad contracts, upcoming contract extensiono etc.
What would it take to make that trade.
Kessel Giroux voracek seems like almost dream team ish.
- 28Girouxsalem28

Last player ( next to Dion) I would want on this team. A player with no character, and can only play hockey in one end of rink. He can shoot, but is very streaky

Last player ( next to Dion) I would want on this team. A player with no character, and can only play hockey in one end of rink. He can shoot, but is very streaky
- 3flyerkids

If streaky keeps you in the top five in scoring every year imagine what he would do with a legitimate #1 center. I think character is relevant to his situation. If you have a chance on a guy like that and can trade salary for salary, throw in a prospect and a pick i think you take a chance on his character every day of the week. Its not the NBA, teammates seem to like playing with him

Yeah try going to an oilers board with anything but edmonton under your name and it doesnt matter what you say they treat you as if you killed their firstborn. Im deathly loyal to my team and ill talk spit every once in a while but i also respect and appreciate intellectual conversation about the best sport in the world
- rferrone

Yeah, the Edmonton fanbase is pretty rude. Montreal/Toronto fans will just ignore you. But on here and the Pittsburgh board, it's pretty laid back.

So far, I'm really loving Tucson and Southern Arizona as a whole, but I still have to get to Portland.

Seattle is my true love
- FloHaake

(frank) Seattle (not really, but kind of - it's a soccer thing)

If streaky keeps you in the top five in scoring every year imagine what he would do with a legitimate #1 center. I think character is relevant to his situation. If you have a chance on a guy like that and can trade salary for salary, throw in a prospect and a pick i think you take a chance on his character every day of the week. Its not the NBA, teammates seem to like playing with him
- rferrone

The problem with Kessel is that he's a one-trick pony. He's not physical, his defensive hockey sense is next to nil, and well, all he can do is score. Granted, it's a fantastic one trick to have, but it also means he's a liability when he's not scoring. That's a lot of money to tie up for the return.

I have this weird feeling Hextall and going to pull some slick moves off at the TDL. Nothing to sustantiate it but his being patient is something new. I just have a feeling some playoff team is going to come calling and he s going get some value we didn't think he would have no chance of getting.

The problem with Kessel is that he's a one-trick pony. He's not physical, his defensive hockey sense is next to nil, and well, all he can do is score. Granted, it's a fantastic one trick to have, but it also means he's a liability when he's not scoring. That's a lot of money to tie up for the return.
- jmatchett383

I get that but alexei kovalev made a career, a long successful one, of being even more one dimensional. You put him on a motivated team with linemates who backcheck i guarantee he wont want to be the last one back. Im not saying he should go without blame whatsoever, but that whole team is stagnant. Their lack of effort on the back end is hard to watch. And with a guy like kessel, like kovalev, like gaborik, you meed to pair them with a leader, a true two way center with a voice to motivate em. And giroux seems perfect for that. Idk its a risk, but would be interesting

The problem with Kessel is that he's a one-trick pony. He's not physical, his defensive hockey sense is next to nil, and well, all he can do is score. Granted, it's a fantastic one trick to have, but it also means he's a liability when he's not scoring. That's a lot of money to tie up for the return.
- jmatchett383

Just curious. If you had to pick between Phaneuf and Kessel who would you prefer.

Just curious. If you had to pick between Phaneuf and Kessel who would you prefer.
- J35Bacher

On this team, or am I starting a team from scratch?

Just curious. If you had to pick between Phaneuf and Kessel who would you prefer.
- J35Bacher

Not directed at me but kessels one trick is more impressive than dions

I get that but alexei kovalev made a career, a long successful one, of being even more one dimensional. You put him on a motivated team with linemates who backcheck i guarantee he wont want to be the last one back. Im not saying he should go without blame whatsoever, but that whole team is stagnant. Their lack of effort on the back end is hard to watch. And with a guy like kessel, like kovalev, like gaborik, you meed to pair them with a leader, a true two way center with a voice to motivate em. And giroux seems perfect for that. Idk its a risk, but would be interesting
- rferrone

Alexei Kovalev also played the majority of his career in a league without a salary cap. If there were no cap, I'd welcome Kessel.

Alexei Kovalev also played the majority of his career in a league without a salary cap. If there were no cap, I'd welcome Kessel.
- jmatchett383

lol aside from my point but touché

On this team, or am I starting a team from scratch?
- jmatchett383

This team.

Just thought it is kind of funny because both are polarizing and have problems. I think i lean towards Phaneuf

lol aside from my point but touché
- rferrone

Well no, it's the exact point. Yes, he has some amazing talent, along with his blemishes. If it wasn't for the amount of the salary cap his contract would take up (say he only made $3.5M per year) then sure, I'd want him. But with his limited skillset, as impressive as it is, I would not.

This team.

Just thought it is kind of funny because both are polarizing and have problems. I think i lean towards Phaneuf
- J35Bacher

Elisha cuthbert would be at the games...

This team.

Just thought it is kind of funny because both are polarizing and have problems. I think i lean towards Phaneuf
- J35Bacher

On this team, they have more of a need for a guy like Phaneuf than Kessel.

Starting from scratch, I'd take Kessel.

This team.

Just thought it is kind of funny because both are polarizing and have problems. I think i lean towards Phaneuf
- J35Bacher

Same here, on the right team in the right situation, Phaneuf can be effective.

On this team, they have more of a need for a guy like Phaneuf than Kessel.

Starting from scratch, I'd take Kessel.
- jmatchett383

I am probably one of the few who would take him even now. If it didn't cost a lot and they were able to free up space i think he can be effective. I think Toronto puts too much on him.

I am probably one of the few who would take him even now. If it didn't cost a lot and they were able to free up space i think he can be effective. I think Toronto puts too much on him.
- J35Bacher

For $8 mil a year they better put pressure on him

Well no, it's the exact point. Yes, he has some amazing talent, along with his blemishes. If it wasn't for the amount of the salary cap his contract would take up (say he only made $3.5M per year) then sure, I'd want him. But with his limited skillset, as impressive as it is, I would not.
- jmatchett383

My point was his linemates could elevate his play in all three zones, making him closer to his worth. I think 8 mil is ridiculous for any player regardless. But yes, as is, way to expensive to take a chance but thats what i was saying would be interesting

For $8 mil a year they better put pressure on him
- Streit2ThePoint

It's not his fault they wanted him to pay that.

I think they just expect him to be more then he is. I don't think he is exactly a number one but I do think he is a top pairing guy. If that makes sense.

I am probably one of the few who would take him even now. If it didn't cost a lot and they were able to free up space i think he can be effective. I think Toronto puts too much on him.
- J35Bacher

If they would take some 2 of the bloated contracts in return for one of those guys I would probably take either player as well. The problem everyone keeps pointing to are the bloated contracts and those two players both have them too. Can't add to our problems but swapping problems is fine.

It's not his fault they wanted him to pay that.

I think they just expect him to be more then he is. I don't think he is exactly a number one but I do think he is a top pairing guy. If that makes sense.
- J35Bacher

I get your saying, just busting your chops