I was fine with the draft...i think it's wrong to judge a bunch of higlled kids who haven't even played 1 game in the nhl yet.

but not getting a kings ransom for kessel was a (frank)ing joke. management totally blew their load too early. at least wait until sharp and a few others are gone...drive up the price once demand outstrips supply in the market. there's a reason rutherford was pushing so hard before all the other dominos fell. it's because he knew the price would've gone up...smart move by Pitt.
- Pen15

Sharp is staying put

Did the saad deal pass you by?

Leafs better not go half pregnant.

Time to trade the captain. And the rest of the slugs
- Lee Denault

Phaneuf for Yak.

They weren't gonna give up the only 2 defensemen they have left
- PatC80

then don't deal. i'd rather have kept kessel and tried again at trade deadline. there was no rush to trade him, but this deal stinks of rush.

Worst return of life

Just cause a guy was a great player doesn't mean squat for management, the draft looked mickey mouse, and now this. The Leafs are a doomed franchise. The 100th anniversary they won't even be credible. We can celebrate the first half of the franchises existence....
- aminnes

Leaf fans

I do not know if Leafs have to pay if Kessel take a RICHARDS

kapanen won't even be a 20 goal guy in the league. it's a joke of a deal. to not get one of matta or pouliot is insane.
- Pen15

Thankfully there's 30 other teams to cheer for, if you don't like the direction move along

Sharp is staying put

Did the saad deal pass you by?
- Lee Denault

they have 18 guys and ~1.2 in cap space.

sharp will be dealt.

Leafs are (frank)ing stupid goes backwards instead of forward
- DougGilmour_93

Look on the bright side... it'll help OUR 1st next year.

Why do you pretend to know this?
- 1979AD

Leaf hatwr. I guess. They are so weak on D. Erixon will probably play in their top 4. Plus letang has heart issues and Maatta had a blood clot and may never be the same.

Pens really gonna hit a wall if Cros declining like Malkin have,they have no pic and prospects
- Landsbergfan

I don't think you have to worry about the best player on the planet declining at 28

Trades with a team with trash assets

The fact the club had to retain salary on a player of this calibre is shameful and speaks directly to the value of good character...
- aminnes

People seem to forget the other factors that went in to trading Kessel. He had as many negatives as positives in his scouting report. It plays a factor mo matter what you may think.

Thankfully there's 30 other teams to cheer for, if you don't like the direction move along
- LeafsFan23

sorry...i didn't know you're not allowed to a have a (frank)ing opinion.

move along.

they have 18 guys and ~1.2 in cap space.

sharp will be dealt.
- Pen15

Probably not

kapanen won't even be a 20 goal guy in the league. it's a joke of a deal. to not get one of matta or pouliot is insane.
- Pen15

Yup, and retain salary....

Phaneuf for Yak.
- Tee-Dot

And you thought this trade was bad?

Trades with a team with trash assets
- DougGilmour_93

The only team that wanted him...

I would like to congratulate Phil Kessel on his miraculous ascent from heartless, out of shape, bad attitude, locker room cancer to elite top 5 RW in the blink of an eye.

Also, congrats to Tyler Biggs and Tim Erixon who have gone from total busts to former high end draft picks with high upside.

My condolences to Kapanen who just as rapidly dropped from high end offensive prospect to total bust.

Harrington has gone from serviceable top 4 D prospect to total bust.

And we may as well just go ahead and declare whoever is selected with the PIT 1st and 3rd next year as...you guessed it...total busts!

Unless of course those picks and/or prospects get traded somewhere else

The only team that wanted him...
- Fruitcakenipple

Bingo.

kapanen won't even be a 20 goal guy in the league. it's a joke of a deal. to not get one of matta or pouliot is insane.
- Pen15

well if he's a plus player and not a career minus 75 like Kessel, it ain't all bad is it?

Remians to be seen, they haven't done anything yet to hang any hats on, other than firing a coach mid season while sitting in the playoffs to get Marner. So to say how great they are cause they did stuff in junior is a premature ejaculation....
- aminnes

And to say they suck is just the same old crying. They're doing a good job so far.

The Pens are far from perfect. That pick may be better than we think.

I would say Habs, Lightning, Washington, Ranger and possibly Islanders could all be better than Pittsburgh.

Kessel is going to light it up, but the Pens still have some of the same problems they have had for the last couple years.
- Aetherial

You mean their complete lack of depth at all positions (except C)? Yeah, it's unfortunate lol.

kapanen won't even be a 20 goal guy in the league. it's a joke of a deal. to not get one of matta or pouliot is insane.
- Pen15

Pen have to have some talent and future in their lineup look what Shero and Rutherford have dealt away in pics and prospects

The only team that wanted him...
- Fruitcakenipple

Thats bullpoop