Just remember.... with that contract, if it doesnt work out, semin will be tough to get out of a pens jersey.
- ChrisMS

I don't know if you are still making penis jokes or saying he will be hard to trade away...

Skinner has played 148 games over the last two years. Sure, he has a concussion history that we all know about. However, he has shown the ability to remain healthy over the last two years. If he played 106 games, different story. I don't see Skinner nearly as a diminished asset as many do. A concern? Sure. However 77 and 71 games played the last two years is pretty good considering.
- Oneonta Penguin

Three concussions in four years is a worse concussion pace than Letang. If Skinner is on the block, this could be doable. However, if Carolina isn't looking to move him and Rutherford is just making calls, then he's gonna cost a premium which we don't have.

This is total non-sense and just playing around but would you....

Kessel with 2M retained

For

Pouliot, Jarry, Kunitz and Scuderi



Leafs get 2 nice prospects for Kessel, and can afford to eat the 2M, plus Scuds/Kunitz money as they will be going young so they'll have the cap space for the next 2 years, and the real money doesn't matter to the cash machine Leafs.

Is Kessel at 6M and clearing Scuds and Kunitz from the books worth moving our top prospect and a solid G prospect?? Scuds and Kunitz $$$ clears enough space to pay Kessel his 6M, than sign Franson to fill the D hole made by moving Pouliot.


Once again, fantasy land... But would you do it?

This is total non-sense and just playing around but would you....

Kessel with 2M retained

For

Pouliot, Jarry, Kunitz and Scuderi



Leafs get 2 nice prospects for Kessel, and can afford to eat the 2M, plus Scuds/Kunitz money as they will be going young so they'll have the cap space for the next 2 years, and the real money doesn't matter to the cash machine Leafs.

Is Kessel at 6M and clearing Scuds and Kunitz from the books worth moving our top prospect and a solid G prospect?? Scuds and Kunitz $$$ clears enough space to pay Kessel his 6M, than sign Franson to fill the D hole made by moving Pouliot.


Once again, fantasy land... But would you do it?
- Willaged

I think that is a no brainer we'd do it... but Toronto would laugh their ass off at you.

Pouliot is the only good piece in that... Kunitz is okay... Jarry is a good goalie prospect, but those are the riskiest prospects... and Scuderi practically removes all the good from Pouliot.

Sorry bud.

This is total non-sense and just playing around but would you....

Kessel with 2M retained

For

Pouliot, Jarry, Kunitz and Scuderi



Leafs get 2 nice prospects for Kessel, and can afford to eat the 2M, plus Scuds/Kunitz money as they will be going young so they'll have the cap space for the next 2 years, and the real money doesn't matter to the cash machine Leafs.

Is Kessel at 6M and clearing Scuds and Kunitz from the books worth moving our top prospect and a solid G prospect?? Scuds and Kunitz $$$ clears enough space to pay Kessel his 6M, than sign Franson to fill the D hole made by moving Pouliot.


Once again, fantasy land... But would you do it?
- Willaged

Phil Kessel at 6 mil? Absolutely. But why would the leafs retain 2 mil for almost a decade. If things go according to plan they'll be in contention by seven years. They're definitely going to get offers for Kessel that don't involve salary retention.

Phil Kessel at 6 mil? Absolutely. But why would the leafs retain 2 mil for almost a decade. If things go according to plan they'll be in contention by seven years. They're definitely going to get offers for Kessel that don't involve salary retention.
- Victoro311

Supposedly they are open to keeping up to 2 million for a good deal on him

Supposedly they are open to keeping up to 2 million for a good deal on him
- Guile

Hmmm... Well, they're still gonna get a better package than that. Kunitz really isn't as bad of a piece as people think since he can be flipped at this year's or next year's deadline. Think we'd still have to throw in Bennett and pick to get them talking.

Supposedly they are open to keeping up to 2 million for a good deal on him
- Guile

Dubas is handling all trades and I'll bet he takes back salary on someone that is on a shorter contract (like Semin) IOT drive up the other pieces. Doesn't matter if they take on salary in years where they are rebuilding and have a lot of cap room.

I don't know if you are still making penis jokes or saying he will be hard to trade away...
- Guile

So long as Ryan continues to blog about Semin... or if the pens actually trade for semin, I vow to always be there with spluuge jokes! I consider it my hockeybuzz civic duty. The beauty is the double entendre!

Hmmm... Well, they're still gonna get a better package than that. Kunitz really isn't as bad of a piece as people think since he can be flipped at this year's or next year's deadline. Think we'd still have to throw in Bennett and pick to get them talking.
- Victoro311

I don't think Bennett is what they are looking for, if its moving Kessel with 14 million being kept over 7 years...

I had my armchair giving up Kap, Harrington, Kunitz, and a 2016 3rd for Kessel at 2 mil retained.

Two good prospects and a Veteran for the time being. I can't say I even love my own idea, but I think thats a more realistic offer to what they'd take.

Happy Father's Day to all of you fathers!

I honestly think Semin wouldn't be a bad fit here. IF they do take half of his cap, I think it's worth the risk. Malkin and Semin could work well, BUT they need a speedy, 110% effort player with them on that line for energy. Maybe Perron could be that, but I'd prefer a hornqvist 2.0

Supposedly they are open to keeping up to 2 million for a good deal on him
- Guile

They'll have too. Any team in a position to want Kessel can't afford (cap wise) to take him at 8 M.. He's a GREAT scoring winger, but not a franchise guy, and the is franchise guy money... 6M is more inline with a supporting cast salary which Kessel is, he'll never be "the guy" on a team. But also I agree with you Gulie... At 6M the Leafs will get a better offer than Pouliot/Jarry.... That's just all we have to offer! LOL

Kessel- Crosby- Horny
Perron- Malkin- Duper
Bennett- fehr- Comeau
Spaling- Sundqvist- Wilson


Letang- Mattaa
Franson- Cole
Lovejoy- Dumo
Harrington/ Chorney/Drewskie


Once again- dream land... But that top 9 f group is solid. Dupuis although may not be true top 6 anymore would be a good fit with Malkin and Perron and he could be the high/ D responsible forward to allow Malkin and Perron do their thing offensively... And that top line would be deadly!

I don't think Bennett is what they are looking for, if its moving Kessel with 14 million being kept over 7 years...

I had my armchair giving up Kap, Harrington, Kunitz, and a 2016 3rd for Kessel at 2 mil retained.

Two good prospects and a Veteran for the time being. I can't say I even love my own idea, but I think thats a more realistic offer to what they'd take.
- Guile

Once again, I don't think the Leafs take my proposal either, but Pouliot is a higher rated prospect than Kap, Harrington and Jarry are even in value at this point (both second rounders) just depends what position you desire... Taking on Scuds contract is nothing to the Leafs.. They don't need the cap space the next 2 years and really money.. They basically print Canadian currency... So add a 2016 3rd to my offer and your off... I know my deal isn't happening but for you to laugh at it than show yours is a joke.. It is no more appealing , probably less appealing as Pouliot is our top prospect.

Once again, I don't think the Leafs take my proposal either, but Pouliot is a higher rated prospect than Kap, Harrington and Jarry are even in value at this point (both second rounders) just depends what position you desire... Taking on Scuds contract is nothing to the Leafs.. They don't need the cap space the next 2 years and really money.. They basically print Canadian currency... So add a 2016 3rd to my offer and your off... I know my deal isn't happening but for you to laugh at it than show yours is a joke.. It is no more appealing , probably less appealing as Pouliot is our top prospect.
- Willaged

I already had a 2016 3rd in mine... I'm not giving up both >_<

I already had a 2016 3rd in mine... I'm not giving up both >_<
- Guile

I'm saying add the 3rd to mine and it's probably more appealing than yours. But not worth arguing the Leafs will get a deal stronger than both our proposals with 2M retained.

At least the Bucs didn't get no hit today. Charlie Morton back to reality in a hurry. This series has been a bust.

At least the Bucs didn't get no hit today. Charlie Morton back to reality in a hurry. This series has been a bust.
- Oneonta Penguin

Try being a Jays fan. Best offense in baseball but Rogers, a multi billion dollar company, won't green light the GM to go get some arms. Jays have the most blown saves in the bigs... 11 I believe.

So long as Ryan continues to blog about Semin... or if the pens actually trade for semin, I vow to always be there with spluuge jokes! I consider it my hockeybuzz civic duty. The beauty is the double entendre!
- ChrisMS

I don't think you can keep it up! ... This is actually a triple entendre!

I don't think you can keep it up! ... This is actually a triple entendre!

- so_buzz11

I'll keep it up alright. The hardest thing to do will be not going too fast and ending it prematurely. I want to pace myself so I can go the distance.

With guys like Vermette getting firsts and Winnik and Glencross getting seconds + do you really think all Kunitz gets at the deadline is a second? I find that difficult to believe seeing how he's one season removed from a 30 goal, 60 point season. He's going to be one of the better wingers available at the deadline.

Curious as to why you'd bring Letang into this since we've both talked about Letang before and pretty much agree. No one's going to pay his actual value due to his concussion history so we may as well keep him. But if Carolina's going full scale rebuild then what's the point on keeping Skinner and his 6 mil contract? May as well get assets back even if its below market value
- Victoro311

You keep suggesting that Carolina would take a way below market deal because of going full rebuild but where has it been reported that Francis is looking to go full rebuild and if he was why would he want to part with a 23yo former all star?

Carolina is considering moving Skinner because he has no NTC and will bring them a great return. If JR is getting into the bidding he better be prepared to part with at least DP and probably next years 1st. Sutter & Harrington would be nothing but throw-ins in this type of deal and Kunitz is completely off the board.

This is total non-sense and just playing around but would you....

Kessel with 2M retained

For

Pouliot, Jarry, Kunitz and Scuderi



Leafs get 2 nice prospects for Kessel, and can afford to eat the 2M, plus Scuds/Kunitz money as they will be going young so they'll have the cap space for the next 2 years, and the real money doesn't matter to the cash machine Leafs.

Is Kessel at 6M and clearing Scuds and Kunitz from the books worth moving our top prospect and a solid G prospect?? Scuds and Kunitz $$$ clears enough space to pay Kessel his 6M, than sign Franson to fill the D hole made by moving Pouliot.


Once again, fantasy land... But would you do it?
- Willaged

Great deal for the Pens and horrible deal for the Leafs, also no where close to what other teams will offer so why would Toronto deal with the Pens. If you want them to eat 2M of Kessel's deal and eat 2 years of 2 bad contracts you better be coming with a LOT more than DP & Jarry.

Man... Wilson is really pulling for Semin. I wonder if he prefers semin on the right side or the left side? Or the old-fashioned straight down the middle.
- ChrisMS

LOL
puling for Semin?

I'd be more interested in going after Okposo than Skinner.

Something to consider when thinking Kessel: his teams he'd wave for. What are the packages that the teams on his list can realistically put together? Chicago is an automatic out. The Rangers are considering dealing Nash as it is. Why would they trade for Kessel? The Bruins, while they could use him, have serious cap issues. Doubt they'd want to expend the young, cheap assets it would take to get him to acquire another big contract.

This leaves Montreal, the Flyers, LA, Minnesota, and us. Montreal's major issue is lack of a true 1C. Trading for Kessel would deplete the assets needed to fix that issue. Minnesota is deep as hell on wing but might have the most assets that make sense for Toronto. LA has an Kopitar extension to worry about along with the Richards albatross.

That really kind of leaves us and the Flyers, and I'm pretty confident we can beat anything that the Flyers throw out there. So unless Minnesota really likes Kessel I don't think that the Penguins are that outlandish of a landing spot for the sniper.

Something to consider when thinking Kessel: his teams he'd wave for. What are the packages that the teams on his list can realistically put together? Chicago is an automatic out. The Rangers are considering dealing Nash as it is. Why would they trade for Kessel? The Bruins, while they could use him, have serious cap issues. Doubt they'd want to expend the young, cheap assets it would take to get him to acquire another big contract.

This leaves Montreal, the Flyers, LA, Minnesota, and us. Montreal's major issue is lack of a true 1C. Trading for Kessel would deplete the assets needed to fix that issue. Minnesota is deep as hell on wing but might have the most assets that make sense for Toronto. LA has an Kopitar extension to worry about along with the Richards albatross.

That really kind of leaves us and the Flyers, and I'm pretty confident we can beat anything that the Flyers throw out there. So unless Minnesota really likes Kessel I don't think that the Penguins are that outlandish of a landing spot for the sniper.
- Victoro311

I dont get the love affair with Kessel. Not denying he has a ton of talent, just seems like a lot of baggage every where he goes. Not to mention his inflated value for playing in TOR. The city will burn down if the fans dont get what they see his perceived value is. Remember Kaberle? Id rather have Skinner TBH. Not to mention making it work cap wise for the Pens will be a nightmare and then trying to fill out the roster.