And where do we get said #1C?

Give up our youth? Picks?

Kessel's point production is not the problem it's the team's commitment to playing a complete game and Kessel is included in that group. Yes a defensively-committed #1C will add balance to that line, but if the other 5 players in the top 6 are not committed to playing the way they need to play, then how much will that #1C help?

At some point you have to say it's not the coaches, it's the personnel, and you can't not have that conversation without including Kessel in it.
- gravyface

I agree that it's the personnel and I agree that it's too bad that Kessel isn't Toews or Crosby. He is, however, a necessary part (that we overpaid to get) and that would need to be replaced if traded.

Certainly, I'd trade him if the return was an elite centre but it won't be.

Yup, and he and the core will have until the end of the year to prove themselves.
- gravyface

Even still, blowing up the team isn't exactly going to help the Leafs get the guy they want this summer.

Doubt you see anyone like JVR, Kessel, or Dion moved until after a new coach is hired.

If team fails to make playoffs again and falls into the same bad habits again and again, Shanny is not going to keep this core together and Kessel's part of that core.
- gravyface

Shanny will do nothing differently.

I love his throw away statement ... "We won't be afraid to make deals if it makes our team better."

ROFL! So... what you are saying is that the previous regimes were afraid to make deals that make the team better.

It reminds me of MacT's promise of "bold moves". I'll believe REAL change happens when I see it.

Weird that they'd bring him over from Europe at this point to play in the AHL.


I think Horachek liked what he saw in preseason and wants to put him in the lineup... Though I doubt they throw him straight in during the road trip.

Weird move.
- Feeling Glucky?

MODO is in last place, he is the second best performer in the entire Elitserien while only 18 and if he wants to fast track his NHL career the AHL is the next step after being a top offensive performer at the WJC. Makes sense to me.

They seen the Pastrnak model and jizzed themselves

Does Ek even try any more?

I wonder what the random team wheel will generate today...

I am going to bet on Toronto trading with Colorado or San Jose again and Montreal trading with Winnipeg or NJY... and a MTC that never happens.

MODO is in last place, he is the second best performer in the entire Elitserien while only 18 and if he wants to fast track his NHL career the AHL is the next step after being a top offensive performer at the WJC. Makes sense to me.
- AdamFrench

Marlies aren't exactly a top team either.

Which league do you think is harder to play in?

Weird that they'd bring him over from Europe at this point to play in the AHL.


I think Horachek liked what he saw in preseason and wants to put him in the lineup... Though I doubt they throw him straight in during the road trip.

Weird move.
- Feeling Glucky?

Not really, MoDo has 20 games left, teams not doing well so likely no playoffs, and hearing the coach is a mess; Marlies could use some help.

Marlies aren't exactly a top team either.

Which league do you think is harder to play in?
- Feeling Glucky?

This way his season doesn't end after 20 more games and management can keep an eye on him. He may get into a few games.

Weird that they'd bring him over from Europe at this point to play in the AHL.


I think Horachek liked what he saw in preseason and wants to put him in the lineup... Though I doubt they throw him straight in during the road trip.

Weird move.
- Feeling Glucky?

I don't think it's weird. He's the highest rated prospect in the Leafs system.

Before making moves to better the roster, why not see what they have in Nylander and then make decisions accordingly?

Marlies aren't exactly a top team either.

Which league do you think is harder to play in?
- Feeling Glucky?

Maybe they want to give him half a season to acclimate to the N.A. ice. Make sure he's ready for October.

Out west on the road seems like a good spot to get him in..... Late game, on the road not as much pressurre, but on the other had playing some dam good teams and they are big and nasty.
- burn

I hate to see him end up like Borchevsky

Marlies aren't exactly a top team either.

Which league do you think is harder to play in?
- Feeling Glucky?

AHL. They will murder you down there. Elitserien is slower and more defensive.

I agree that it's the personnel and I agree that it's too bad that Kessel isn't Toews or Crosby. He is, however, a necessary part (that we overpaid to get) and that would need to be replaced if traded.

Certainly, I'd trade him if the return was an elite centre but it won't be.
- Canada Cup

It all depends on how far (and if, but I have my doubts this team is anything more than it is, despite the coaching change) they want to go with a rebuild and what they can get for the other pieces of the core (Bozak/Lupul/Phaneuf/Clarkson) and whether that's going to be enough to rebuild properly.

Kessel's valuable and that's why we'd have to trade him in a rebuild.

I don't think it's weird. He's the highest rated prospect in the Leafs system.

Before making moves to better the roster, why not see what they have in Nylander and then make decisions accordingly?
- Pecafan Fan

They have another tricky little dipsy-doodling undersized center, with zero physical edge to his game, that they will have to move to the wing.

I just answered their question for them. I expect they can make decisions now. How about they decide to go get a #1 C.

Marlies aren't exactly a top team either.

Which league do you think is harder to play in?
- Feeling Glucky?

AHL by quite a bit.

They have another tricky little dipsy-doodling undersized center, with zero physical edge to his game, that they will have to move to the wing.

I just answered their question for them. I expect they can make decisions now. How about they decide to go get a #1 C.
- Aetherial

Kadri lite lite

Even still, blowing up the team isn't exactly going to help the Leafs get the guy they want this summer.

Doubt you see anyone like JVR, Kessel, or Dion moved until after a new coach is hired.
- Feeling Glucky?

That doesn't matter: new GM, new coach, start the rebuild together.

That doesn't matter: new GM, new coach, start the rebuild together.
- gravyface

Gonna keep a couple guys I hope

Hopefully Kulemin

Doubt that. They sent him to Modo because they thought it was a better league for him. So, I doubt they'd send him for the Marlies unless they want to 'demote' him which given his play is highly unlikely.
- KesselRules

the big benefit of sending him to Modo as opposed to the AHL was that they wouldn't start burning years off his ELC right away, and that's out the window whether he plays in Toronto or... well i guess Toronto. and the AHL is hardly a step down from the SEL. Nylander could learn a lot playing there.

the big benefit of sending him to Modo as opposed to the AHL was that they wouldn't start burning years off his ELC right away, and that's out the window whether he plays in Toronto or... well i guess Toronto. and the AHL is hardly a step down from the SEL. Nylander could learn a lot playing there.
- DoubleDown

Yup.

the big benefit of sending him to Modo as opposed to the AHL was that they wouldn't start burning years off his ELC right away, and that's out the window whether he plays in Toronto or... well i guess Toronto. and the AHL is hardly a step down from the SEL. Nylander could learn a lot playing there.
- DoubleDown

So they burned a year by recalling him today?

Ah, apparently because it's game 43, Nylander can be on the roster for the remainder of the season and not count as one of his ELC seasons.

Smart.

the big benefit of sending him to Modo as opposed to the AHL was that they wouldn't start burning years off his ELC right away, and that's out the window whether he plays in Toronto or... well i guess Toronto. and the AHL is hardly a step down from the SEL. Nylander could learn a lot playing there.
- DoubleDown

ELC is going to burnt if he plays in the NHL as he'll play more than 9 games. However, he does push the UFA status (probably more important) one year regardless if he's in the NHL or Not.

So they burned a year by recalling him today?
- Garnie

They burned the extra year you get for European players, but he can't play more than 41 regular season games anymore, so they won't burn a regular year.