A lot of them played wing on team Canada, there were so many talented ones.
- LeafMan

Oh yeah, I always laugh at this: every year, 95% of Team Canada's forwards are made up of centres.

1st PP line in 1987: Gretzky at centre, with Lemieux and Messier on the wings.

Bourque and Coffey on the points.

Not too shabby...

meh.. money is nothing to the leafs
- Dozzer

or apparently the cap hit.

Which is why the leafs are horrible at cap management.

No one cares about the money the leafs have to pay.....its the cap hit.

Agreed. But what was done was done - Kessel didn't trade two firsts and second to bring himself to Toronto, and he didn't refuse to play with a proper 1st line centre.

Toronto fans could never get past the bad trade/bad timing to bring him here.


Not that I can think of. But Canadians are biased: we always think that centres are the cornerstones. It's how we build hockey teams.

Who was the last dominant Canadian winger? Kariya?
- Atomic Wedgie

Trade was fine. Boston didn't really win a cup because of it and they certainly aren't better off now with it. So it's a wash at this point.

Centres are pretty much the cornerstone of a great team. We are biased towards it but history says it's true.

or apparently the cap hit.

Which is why the leafs are horrible at cap management.

No one cares about the money the leafs have to pay.....its the cap hit.
- Fakepartofme

by the time the core they are building comes out of RFA status and starts to make big big money.. it will be off the books

its a non factor

I'm only speaking for myself Wedgie, but the fact he was the fittest is what makes it completely unacceptable to me. He's a great goalscorer, but come on man, we watch Leafs games. Kessel's unwillingness/inability to play defense, play the boards, backcheck, or generally look as if anything on the ice when he does not have the puck matters to him, all the while making 8mil a year, absolutely infuriated me and was another embarrassing mark on a franchise littered with embarrassments
- walshyleafsfan

Which is why he was perfect for the @ss backwards leafs franchise.

The entire hockey world has known since Phil Kessel was 16 that he is not captain material. It's simply not what he does.

Expecting him to do it was 100% management's fault.

Guy Lafleur never wore a letter on his sweater.
- Atomic Wedgie

I think the worst part was management's unwillingless to admit their mistake and correct it.

Caused Nonis his job.

by the time the core they are building comes out of RFA status and starts to make big big money.. it will be off the books

its a non factor
- Dozzer

yeah, I don't think cap space is an issue in Toronto at the moment.

I'm only speaking for myself Wedgie, but the fact he was the fittest is what makes it completely unacceptable to me. He's a great goalscorer, but come on man, we watch Leafs games. Kessel's unwillingness/inability to play defense, play the boards, backcheck, or generally look as if anything on the ice when he does not have the puck matters to him, all the while making 8mil a year, absolutely infuriated me and was another embarrassing mark on a franchise littered with embarrassments
- walshyleafsfan

Kessel's unwillingness to backcheck has been completely blown out of proportion by Leafs Nation.

Did he dog it in the final 20 games of the season? Hell yes - the entire team did.

Guess what? We wanted the entire team to dog it. Management wanted the team to dog it. The season was over. They sold off a few spare parts, fired the coach, hired a guy who couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag, tried to institute a new system in February, and looked the other way when it inevitably, purposely fell apart.

JVR hustles 62.87% less than Kessel.

Bozak is an effing joke. Anyone who has watched a game live realizes this by about midway through the 2nd period.

But hey, Leafs Nation should rejoice - we just gave away the best forward of the 2014 Olympics for a handful of dog poop, and we managed to retain salary.

Everyone should give themselves a giant pat on the back - we sure showed Kessel, didn't we? He may make $8 million dollars and be Olympic MVP, but we know how to play hockey waaaaaaaay better than him, don't we? WE ARE LEAFS NATION!

Can't wait to ship out Dion Phaneuf. Invited to Team Canada summer camp. Plays 27 minutes a night. Every guy he's played with in Toronto has gone on to be bounced out of the league or exposed as a 5-6 defenceman.

But we don't like him either. He makes too much money! Do you know how hard I work every day at the plant? And effing Phaneuf didn't win us a Stanley Cup last year - that's on the captain!

It's the bitter working class hero crap that unites us all.

by the time the core they are building comes out of RFA status and starts to make big big money.. it will be off the books

its a non factor
- Dozzer

Leafs will need that 1.2 mil when the cap rises to 78 mil and our subpar NHL backup goalie won't be making as much as 2.3 mil.

I'm only speaking for myself Wedgie, but the fact he was the fittest is what makes it completely unacceptable to me. He's a great goalscorer, but come on man, we watch Leafs games. Kessel's unwillingness/inability to play defense, play the boards, backcheck, or generally look as if anything on the ice when he does not have the puck matters to him, all the while making 8mil a year, absolutely infuriated me and was another embarrassing mark on a franchise littered with embarrassments
- walshyleafsfan

He had come back a few times. I think he backchecked in the playoffs that one series.

I get what he's saying though. I may not really like it as a fan but I get it. Why is he going to put more effort/risk of his body/health when management isn't giving him more tools on the ice? Kessel made it clear he wants to win and likes to win. So give him someone to win with.

I sort of blame the fans for all their negativity towards Kessel but I think the media had something to play in that. They took every shot they could against the guy like they actual matter or somehow are important. Just report your story and go home. Don't take comments personal or don't anatagonize a player then cry about it later for weeks on air.

Kessel's unwillingness to backcheck has been completely blown out of proportion by Leafs Nation.

Did he dog it in the final 20 games of the season? Hell yes - the entire team did.

Guess what? We wanted the entire team to dog it. Management wanted the team to dog it. The season was over. They sold off a few spare parts, fired the coach, hired a guy who couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag, tried to institute a new system in February, and looked the other way when it inevitably, purposely fell apart.

JVR hustles 62.87% less than Kessel.

Bozak is an effing joke. Anyone who has watched a game live realizes this by about midway through the 2nd period.

But hey, Leafs Nation should rejoice - we just gave away the best forward of the 2014 Olympics for a handful of dog poop, and we managed to retain salary.

Everyone should give themselves a giant pat on the back - we sure showed Kessel, didn't we? He may make $8 million dollars and be Olympic MVP, but we know how to play hockey waaaaaaaay better than him, don't we? WE ARE LEAFS NATION!

Can't wait to ship out Dion Phaneuf. Invited to Team Canada summer camp. Plays 27 minutes a night. Every guy he's played with in Toronto has gone on to be bounced out of the league or exposed as a 5-6 defenceman.

But we don't like him either. He makes too much money! Do you know how hard I work every day at the plant? And effing Phaneuf didn't win us a Stanley Cup last year - that's on the captain!

It's the bitter working class hero crap that unites us all.
- Atomic Wedgie

How are you today Wedgie ?

by the time the core they are building comes out of RFA status and starts to make big big money.. it will be off the books

its a non factor
- Dozzer

Uh.
Its 7 years....its a factor.

How are you today Wedgie ?
- bixll

yeah, I don't think cap space is an issue in Toronto at the moment.
- Pecafan Fan

nor do i think it will be for a few years

nah.. its his dreamy red ish eyes
- Dozzer

fixed

Kessel's unwillingness to backcheck has been completely blown out of proportion by Leafs Nation.

Did he dog it in the final 20 games of the season? Hell yes - the entire team did.

Guess what? We wanted the entire team to dog it. Management wanted the team to dog it. The season was over. They sold off a few spare parts, fired the coach, hired a guy who couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag, tried to institute a new system in February, and looked the other way when it inevitably, purposely fell apart.

JVR hustles 62.87% less than Kessel.

Bozak is an effing joke. Anyone who has watched a game live realizes this by about midway through the 2nd period.

But hey, Leafs Nation should rejoice - we just gave away the best forward of the 2014 Olympics for a handful of dog poop, and we managed to retain salary.

Everyone should give themselves a giant pat on the back - we sure showed Kessel, didn't we? He may make $8 million dollars and be Olympic MVP, but we know how to play hockey waaaaaaaay better than him, don't we? WE ARE LEAFS NATION!

Can't wait to ship out Dion Phaneuf. Invited to Team Canada summer camp. Plays 27 minutes a night. Every guy he's played with in Toronto has gone on to be bounced out of the league or exposed as a 5-6 defenceman.

But we don't like him either. He makes too much money! Do you know how hard I work every day at the plant? And effing Phaneuf didn't win us a Stanley Cup last year - that's on the captain!

It's the bitter working class hero crap that unites us all.
- Atomic Wedgie

Don't get me started on the Phaneuf hate.

So many people have told me he shouldn't be in the league or that trade him for a 7th round pick because his contract is soo bad and he's soo bad.

I can't wait to make them eat their words when Babcock makes him look half decent. I have a list of people! Bunch of Richards.

yeah, I don't think cap space is an issue in Toronto at the moment.
- Pecafan Fan

No one cares about at the moment.....its 3 -4 years down the road when they'll need the cash

How are you today Wedgie ?
- bixll

I think I'm getting my period.

nor do i think it will be for a few years
- Dozzer

And over the next few years the Cap will rise, and no issue..

No one cares about at the moment.....its 3 -4 years down the road when they'll need the cash
- Fakepartofme

I missed the argument. 3-4 years down the road to sign who?

Uh.
Its 7 years....its a factor.
- Fakepartofme

really? seriously man.. its 1.2 million

its peanuts to MLSE and accounts for what? 1.6% of the cap space?

and that number will only drop as the cap ceiling rises

No one cares about at the moment.....its 3 -4 years down the road when they'll need the cash
- Fakepartofme

I think it'll still be okay. It'll suck for a bit but they'll find another way to make up for it.

Kessel's unwillingness to backcheck has been completely blown out of proportion by Leafs Nation.

Did he dog it in the final 20 games of the season? Hell yes - the entire team did.

Guess what? We wanted the entire team to dog it. Management wanted the team to dog it. The season was over. They sold off a few spare parts, fired the coach, hired a guy who couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag, tried to institute a new system in February, and looked the other way when it inevitably, purposely fell apart.

JVR hustles 62.87% less than Kessel.

Bozak is an effing joke. Anyone who has watched a game live realizes this by about midway through the 2nd period.

But hey, Leafs Nation should rejoice - we just gave away the best forward of the 2014 Olympics for a handful of dog poop, and we managed to retain salary.

Everyone should give themselves a giant pat on the back - we sure showed Kessel, didn't we? He may make $8 million dollars and be Olympic MVP, but we know how to play hockey waaaaaaaay better than him, don't we? WE ARE LEAFS NATION!

Can't wait to ship out Dion Phaneuf. Invited to Team Canada summer camp. Plays 27 minutes a night. Every guy he's played with in Toronto has gone on to be bounced out of the league or exposed as a 5-6 defenceman.

But we don't like him either. He makes too much money! Do you know how hard I work every day at the plant? And effing Phaneuf didn't win us a Stanley Cup last year - that's on the captain!

It's the bitter working class hero crap that unites us all.
- Atomic Wedgie

In short, because I'm leaving to go home (I make a more detailed response later) for 8 mil a year I want more of a complete player. Now the fact he got 8 mil a year isn't down to him, but, I would've thought/hoped he felt some responsibility in providing a more concerted effort to at least give off the perception that he was actually willing to hustle.

Bozak I agree with and the same with JVR. I hope he changes but doubt it. I can stomach JVR attitude vs salary a lot more than Kessel's. Having said that, I'd be surprised if JVR lasts longer than his current contract under Shanny/Mike

And over the next few years the Cap will rise, and no issue..
- bixll

he's just perpetually negative

always looking at the dark side of things.. trying to twist things to make them worse than they actually are

How are you today Wedgie ?
- bixll

Wedgie needs his arm chair and beer, stat!