One side gets cap-space and futures while other gets decent player for the now.

Both needs were met.

Pretty even IMO.

... both sides lost this trade. Toronto got rid of depth and Pens who are due for a retool got rid of a draft pick.

I'm not throwing shade. I'm looking at it from a realistic standpoint. As of right now the Pens got the best player in the deal. If the guy you draft at 15 isn't an NHLer that produces more than Kappy then it's a heist for Rutherford
- Komisaurus Rex

You are the last person on this site who can claim to think realistically. You are of the same ilk as Scooby, TylerSeguin21 (or whatever his name is) and Rippedfuel.

I have yet to see a pundit out there declare that Pittsburgh won this deal. Most are saying that Dubas ripped Rutherford off. I'm not ready to go that far but at worst this is a win-win deal for both sides, at best the Leafs won it by creating cap space and recouping a 1st round pick.

The Leafs traded from a position of strength to start addressing a need. The reality is, as much as I love Kapanen his position, skill set, and lack of production had made him expendable in Toronto. There are others I would have preferred to have seen traded before him, but the return, and the cap room that it opens up negates that.

I would say that you can't see the forest for the trees, but your posting history on this site shows us that you don't really see anything.

Anytime I see James Tanner on an article, I vomit in my mouth. The guys a hack.

As a Leafs fan, definitely happy with this trade. Kap shows flashes of being a solid forward, but only flashes. For that, we got back a 1st, a solid prospect, and cap space. Excellent return for that. I would not have thought Kap would retrieve that much.

Pitts might do well here too. What people sometimes forget is that trades have a tendancy to shake the player. Kadri is a good example; he played well for Toronto but I wouldn't have called him a "beast". He gets traded, and that has an affect on your psyche; you start thinking "geez, my team traded me. Maybe I need to re-examine something on my end", and sometimes it can spark a real improvement in them. Maybe Pitt gets this with Kap; we'll see. Toronto definitely gained a lot, and it's possible Pitt will gain a lot too.

He palyed with Matthews and couldn't do that. He lacks finish. This is a hell ofa lot for a 3rd liner.
And doesn't Leafs lack depth for spending 40 million on 4 forwards? Now their 3rd liner is on the Pens first line..
- RogerRoeper

Doesn't Mathews play on the Leafs first line? If so then by default that makes Kapanen A first liner!
Leafs in 3
This looks great for the Leafs. Give it a year and then we can rate the trade!.

I'm not throwing shade. I'm looking at it from a realistic standpoint. As of right now the Pens got the best player in the deal. If the guy you draft at 15 isn't an NHLer that produces more than Kappy then it's a heist for Rutherford
- Komisaurus Rex

LEAFS WIN AGAIN, LIKE ALWAYS

DUBAS PROVING HE IS THE #1 GENIUS IN THE WORLD

Doesn't Mathews play on the Leafs first line? If so then by default that makes Kapanen A first liner!
Leafs in 3
This looks great for the Leafs. Give it a year and then we can rate the trade!.
- camfor

Well played.

He's an RFA, so the Penguins could have simply not extended him an offer.

I suspect the Leafs are going to tell him he can forget about a qualifying offer, but if he wants to play for his childhood team, he can do that for $1M.
- Atomic Wedgie

Well, considering the lack of depth Leafs have with the 4 guys costing 40 million (re: Roger stats - previous post - 2020)......They will have to fill the bottom two lines with a bevy of $1-2 million fodder. Especially if they want to upgrade that poreus defence. All the crap $1 million guys they can get, the better...

Question fellas.

Why would trading be allowed while right in the middle of playoffs???

Does that mean Tampa or Boston could trade their players while actively still in the Cup hunt?

Doesn't seem right. And if they can't because they are still playing, hardly seems fair half the league can trade and the remainder cannot.

Something seems whong with it. All trading should have been reserved until the Cup decided then let er rip.

You are the last person on this site who can claim to think realistically. You are of the same ilk as Scooby, TylerSeguin21 (or whatever his name is) and Rippedfuel.

I have yet to see a pundit out there declare that Pittsburgh won this deal. Most are saying that Dubas ripped Rutherford off. I'm not ready to go that far but at worst this is a win-win deal for both sides, at best the Leafs won it by creating cap space and recouping a 1st round pick.

The Leafs traded from a position of strength to start addressing a need. The reality is, as much as I love Kapanen his position, skill set, and lack of production had made him expendable in Toronto. There are others I would have preferred to have seen traded before him, but the return, and the cap room that it opens up negates that.

I would say that you can't see the forest for the trees, but your posting history on this site shows us that you don't really see anything.
- Kinger34

They're overvaluing a middle round draft pick. They aren't getting Laffy...


I find it ironic in the same sense that Leafs fans were always hyping up Kappy about how fast and talented he is and how great he will be..Now that he's gone he's a 3rd liner, I've even some say 4th liner. He can't score, he can't do anything anymore apparently. They said the same thing about Kadri on his way out and well we all see how that one is panning out

They're overvaluing a middle round draft pick. They aren't getting Laffy...


I find it ironic in the same sense that Leafs fans were always hyping up Kappy about how fast and talented he is and how great he will be..Now that he's gone he's a 3rd liner, I've even some say 4th liner. He can't score, he can't do anything anymore apparently. They said the same thing about Kadri on his way out and well we all see how that one is panning out







- Komisaurus Rex

No one said that about Kadri on his way out

Also, remember when the Leafs acquired Kap in the Kessel trade, and everyone said they got fleeced because they didn’t get Derrick Pouliot? How’s that guy doing now?

Point is, you’re bitter and dumb

Question fellas.

Why would trading be allowed while right in the middle of playoffs???

Does that mean Tampa or Boston could trade their players while actively still in the Cup hunt?

Doesn't seem right. And if they can't because they are still playing, hardly seems fair half the league can trade and the remainder cannot.

Something seems whong with it. All trading should have been reserved until the Cup decided then let er rip.
- hawk35

Thats a good question. Agreed

Pens -- Kapanen can be a 30 goal 60 point guy in Pittsburgh if employed correctly. Warsofsky, Rodrigues are AHLers and Hallander was a prospect that fell out of favour with Pens management as he's been problematic in Sweden. The draft is a crap shoot especially after the first couple picks, you aren't guaranteed to get a 50+ point NHLer and that's what Kapanen is at the least. I'm not a fan of the Pens giving up a 1st rounder for Kapanen but if they can slot him next to Sid or Geno he could be the player many expected him to grow into as he was shackled in Toronto


He just turned 24, still young, bookmark this for when he scoring 30 and bagging 60+ points in Pittsburgh
- Komisaurus Rex

This hasnt been reported anywhere. All of his coaches in Sweden gave him praise. Seems quite made up.

They're overvaluing a middle round draft pick. They aren't getting Laffy...


I find it ironic in the same sense that Leafs fans were always hyping up Kappy about how fast and talented he is and how great he will be..Now that he's gone he's a 3rd liner, I've even some say 4th liner. He can't score, he can't do anything anymore apparently. They said the same thing about Kadri on his way out and well we all see how that one is panning out







- Komisaurus Rex

I guess you missed that whole part where I said I love Kap and would have preferred to see others traded before him?

I have yet to see anyone say he is a 4th liner. He may not be a 3rd liner in Pittsburgh but that’s where he fell on the depth chart in Toronto.

He has game breaker speed and is a good penalty killer. He does lack finish and had a decline this year. Stating the truth about a player doesn’t mean you’re hating on them.

Kadri’s time in Toronto was up due to his on ice conduct in the playoffs. That, combined with Toronto’s centre depth made him a trade asset. He is having a great playoffs and that’s awesome to see.

Anytime I see James Tanner on an article, I vomit in my mouth. The guys a hack.
- Cobain27

Yeah, no one should ever click on anything Jimmy boy writes. We can't let him start thinking that somebody believes that he knows anything about hockey.

Please donate to Rodger Roper’s Leaf 1st round win ride-athon

Question fellas.

Why would trading be allowed while right in the middle of playoffs???

Does that mean Tampa or Boston could trade their players while actively still in the Cup hunt?

Doesn't seem right. And if they can't because they are still playing, hardly seems fair half the league can trade and the remainder cannot.

Something seems whong with it. All trading should have been reserved until the Cup decided then let er rip.
- hawk35

The only time an NHL team can not make a trade is during the christmas roster freeze. A trade can be made at any other time of the year even after the trade deadline. The trade deadline is the last day you can acquire a player and have them be eligible for your playoff roster. So yes theoretically Boston and Tampa could make a trade right now, but the player they trade would no longer be able to play for them and anyone they trade for is ineligible to play for them in the playoffs. Teams still in the playoffs would typically not be making trades due to the distraction it may cause but you can guarantee those GMs are in discussions for trades and may agree to a trade in principle but not submit it until after they are eliminated from the playoffs

the Leafs clearly won but thank you for not asking Tanner.
- Ross77

Did jimmie tanner get canned?

I'm not throwing shade. I'm looking at it from a realistic standpoint. As of right now the Pens got the best player in the deal. If the guy you draft at 15 isn't an NHLer that produces more than Kappy then it's a heist for Rutherford
- Komisaurus Rex

I think it is a smart gamble for the Pens. 15th is no guarantee, and Kap is plenty capable at 2RW. Given the rental market every deadline, they could very well keep him for the entirety of his contract, or move him in a year or two and recoup that 1st rd pick. I don't consider this a risky trade for a win-now team.

The rest of the Metro won.

The Pens are on the slide. They don’t have much in terms of a farm (in fact it’s pathetic), but they gave you one of the only possible NHLers in their system. On top of that, you took their 1st.

The Leafs just held Pittsburgh back another year or two from realizing they should be rebuilding, and you effectively removed two of their potential assets to get it done.

It’s not that Kapanen sucks. He’s a fine player, and more will be expected of him in Yinzer country. He just doesn’t put them over the top, is the thing. Maybe he provides a slight boost, but it doesn’t match their regression. Sure, they have two bonafide HOFers at forward, but it thins out quickly, and those two can’t carry the load. That defense needs patching. The goaltending is decent, but young if they stick with Jarry (and I believe they will). He’s inexperienced.

Thin at forward with two potent exceptions (when/if healthy). Defense is lacking. Goaltending is green. The Rangers, Flyers, BJ’s, and Canes are on the rise. The Caps are still skilled. The Isles have the best coaching in the league. Pittsburgh’s days are numbered.


Thanks, Leafs! Cheers!