A 35 year old Thornton or Marleau is the last thing a rebuilding team like the Leafs needs, especially since their inclusion in a deal would reduce the number of picks, prospects, and young players they get in return. Players like Hertl and Mueller, and picks would be the kind of assets Leafs management are looking for, unless they've completely taken leave of their senses.

The first three teams you mentioned are all better fits than San Jose.
- The Shrike

but they went and got Jokinen

but they went and got Jokinen
- the_eye

Strictly to offset salary for Nash. Jokinen is an expiring contract so it doesn't impact the Leafs, esp. if they flip him.

Hey Eklund, was the Franson/Nashville trade out of the blue?
- woopstash

Everyone bashing Ek on the rumor charts just remember one thing. He is reporting what team personnel , media etc..are feeding him . It is similar to the NFL draft. Team personnel are putting out all kinds of b.s to throw other teams into panic mode or make hasty trade decisions. Whether or not they actually happen makes for some interesting reading and gives us all something to talk about in the sport we love.

but they went and got Jokinen
- the_eye

Yes, but he's on an expiring contract, with only about $1 million left on it, whereas Thornton and Marleau have two years left after this season, and about $15 million left on each. Additionally, they have more value, so, unlike Jokinen, they'd subtract from any potential return.

Petry for a 3rd is probably legit... its serious under value, but that is what happens at deadline... teams overvalue their players and then trade them last minute for the only offer still on the table... closer we get to deadline, the more sellers there will be...

My jokes aside, Kessel won't fit on this team. We have 4 key signings that we need to make in the offseason and his $8M cap hit will ruin that since the cap is likely to remain stagnant. I'd love him on Johnny's wing but it won't happen.
- eichiefs9

there are solutions to that. Leafs could take back contracts (baily, grabner) and isles can include one of the guys over you need to sign (lee, nelson) as part of the package.

Petry for a 3rd is probably legit... its serious under value, but that is what happens at deadline... teams overvalue their players and then trade them last minute for the only offer still on the table... closer we get to deadline, the more sellers there will be...
- richardson30

I think he'll fetch more than that. I think every playoff team in the league would leap at that trade. If all he was going to go for was a 3rd rounder I sure hope the Isles pony that up.

there are solutions to that. Leafs could take back contracts (baily, grabner) and isles can include one of the guys over you need to sign (lee, nelson) as part of the package.
- Tumbleweed

I still wouldn't do it. It's not a knock on Kessel but I'm not about to go blowing up the young, cheap core for one star player. That's Milbury's MO and Snow won't do that.

Strictly to offset salary for Nash. Jokinen is an expiring contract so it doesn't impact the Leafs, esp. if they flip him.
- magmoo

um.............sarcasm

Petry for a 3rd is probably legit... its serious under value, but that is what happens at deadline... teams overvalue their players and then trade them last minute for the only offer still on the table... closer we get to deadline, the more sellers there will be...
- richardson30

Why trade him at all if he is undervalued? Edm doesn't have cap problems, they don't have dmen to replace him and they are one of the few teams that doesn't need a 3rd round prospect. Their whole team is prospects. Trading for the sake of trading makes no sense.

I think he'll fetch more than that. I think every playoff team in the league would leap at that trade. If all he was going to go for was a 3rd rounder I sure hope the Isles pony that up.
- eichiefs9

3rd and a prospect or a 2nd IMO. It will go closer to the deadline unless someone ponies up a 1st ala the Franson deal. Edm can sit and wait to see if someone meets their price otherwise they can "settle" on one of the lower offers they probably already have in hand

I still wouldn't do it. It's not a knock on Kessel but I'm not about to go blowing up the young, cheap core for one star player. That's Milbury's MO and Snow won't do that.
- eichiefs9

Whether or not they could make the trade work a Tavares & Kessel line would potentially be the most talented 1-2 punch on the same line in the league. Be fun to watch.

Wings do nothing. as per usual.

Why trade him at all if he is undervalued? Edm doesn't have cap problems, they don't have dmen to replace him and they are one of the few teams that doesn't need a 3rd round prospect. Their whole team is prospects. Trading for the sake of trading makes no sense.
- Hall Fan

If they aren't going to trade him then they need to re-sign him. And the re-signing needs to happen before he hits UFA. Understood regarding the Oilers roster needs but Petry controls his destiny. If he has shown he doesn't want to re-sign or his asking price is too high then MacT needs to trade him otherwise he walks for nothing

Maybe they wait until draft day to deal his FA rights but chances are they fetch only a 4th.

Whether or not they could make the trade work a Tavares & Kessel line would potentially be the most talented 1-2 punch on the same line in the league. Be fun to watch.
- HealthyScratch6

Believe me I'd kill to see an eventual 81-91-21 line. I just don't want to attain it by mortgaging our team's future. I'd rather be able to sign Boychuk, Leddy, Nelson and Lee.

yes, 1st and a prospect has to come back
Thorton or Marleau can also be re-traded for a pick
- the_eye

The prospect has to have top flight potential tho.. big Joe a first and a prospect for Phil then flip joe for a first and a 2nd

Whether or not they could make the trade work a Tavares & Kessel line would potentially be the most talented 1-2 punch on the same line in the league. Be fun to watch.
- HealthyScratch6

as filthy as it would be, isles just dont need him. okposo is a great fit on that line, and lee/bailey have shown they can play there too.

Wings do nothing. as per usual.
- BooBoo997

why would they, they're young and talented and have great chemistry
it will only get better, why mess it up?

The prospect has to have top flight potential tho.. big Joe a first and a prospect for Phil then flip joe for a first and a 2nd
- mwh144

Problem with the Sharks is that they are a team of the present , their prospects are either second tier or playing as regulars ie Hertl

Problem with the Sharks is that they are a team of the present , their prospects are either second tier or playing as regulars ie Hertl
- Alexzanki

well then, they need Kessel
the problem with the Leafs is that they can't use Kessel

Why trade him at all if he is undervalued? Edm doesn't have cap problems, they don't have dmen to replace him and they are one of the few teams that doesn't need a 3rd round prospect. Their whole team is prospects. Trading for the sake of trading makes no sense.
- Hall Fan

The problem is that he is a rental...you wont get full value. A 2nd is my guess, which is better than nothing if he walks via UFA.

The problem is that he is a rental...you wont get full value. A 2nd is my guess, which is better than nothing if he walks via UFA.
- TincupCanuck

if they don't get at least a second why bother?

If TO is rebuilding why would they even be remotely interested in Thorton or Marleau.
- Alexzanki

get a stud prospect or young player back along with Joe or Patty.

Why trade him at all if he is undervalued? Edm doesn't have cap problems, they don't have dmen to replace him and they are one of the few teams that doesn't need a 3rd round prospect. Their whole team is prospects. Trading for the sake of trading makes no sense.
- Hall Fan

It does if the alternative option is "let him walk for zero assets".

I firmly believe he's worth more than a 3rd, but MacTavish would only look even more foolish if he sat on a UFA defenseman that he knew was going to walk after the season because he didn't love the return.

Also, no playoff team is giving you a roster player for a rental. So all you're likely to get is a prospect/pick or some combo of the two.

Trade Kessel to PHX for Yandle, prospect and high pick... Yandle for top Prospect and 2 high picks!