I can't understand why they've only won 3 freaking games. They looked dominant at times, in the third period.

Kessel can score, but they need more than him scoring.
- Doppleganger

Since Kessel has started playing everyone else has stopped scoring. That's not to say they scored much before he got healthy, but he's scored somewhere near 50% of their goals since coming back.

It is frustrating because they are outplaying a lot of teams. Aside from Kessel, they have absolutely no finish though.

And not scoring first in all but 2 games is killing this team. They don't have the offense to keep coming back.

Since Kessel has started playing everyone else has stopped scoring. That's not to say they scored much before he got healthy, but he's scored somewhere near 50% of their goals since coming back.
- daeth

Thats probably because some idiot told the Leaf players they saw everyone of Kessels goals and he doesn't need capable team-mates like a Savard.

Since Kessel has started playing everyone else has stopped scoring. That's not to say they scored much before he got healthy, but he's scored somewhere near 50% of their goals since coming back.
- daeth

I listened to the post game on 640. Several people made the point that the key to the season is making sure that the Bruins do not get the overall #1 pick. Did anybody think it would come down to this? Do the Bruins end up sending talent to Carolina to make sure they finish ahead of Toronto in the standings? This is a mess!

Thats probably because some idiot told the Leaf players they saw everyone of Kessels goals and he doesn't need capable team-mates like a Savard.
- Big T

Well that appears to be true. He's scoring at an incredible pace and has ZERO talent around him. Problem is his goals alone aren't enough.

You really like to spin the poop don't you?? Now that your stance that he can't score without Savard has fallen by the way-side, you twist your argument and say that Kessel can;t score enough on his own to win. Well yeah , that was never in question. Point was wether he could score without Savard. So far he's proving that he can. IN fact he's proving that he doesn't even need capable limemates. The rest of the team has to make some contribution though.

Well that appears to be true. He's scoring at an incredible pace and has ZERO talent around him. Problem is his goals alone aren't enough.

You really like to spin the poop don't you?? Now that your stance that he can't score without Savard has fallen by the way-side, you twist your argument and say that Kessel can;t score enough on his own to win. Well yeah , that was never in question. Point was wether he could score without Savard. So far he's proving that he can. IN fact he's proving that he doesn't even need capable limemates. The rest of the team has to make some contribution though.
- burn

I was surprised to hear some of the commentators during the game say that Schenn needs to be taken out of the lineup for a few games. Same commentary was made on 640 post game. This is really a very difficult and complex time for leaf nation. It is one thing to slam management when it appears that things may be out of control. But this thing is destroying hope and the entertainment value of watching the young guys improve.

I was impressed with Schenn hanging in there and taking on Chris Neil.

I was impressed with Schenn hanging in there and taking on Chris Neil.
- Jimbo976

did you mean hanging in or hanging on. got the impression his heart really was not in it. not really part of his game

did you mean hanging in or hanging on. got the impression his heart really was not in it. not really part of his game
- spatso

Well at least he did something.

I listened to the post game on 640. Several people made the point that the key to the season is making sure that the Bruins do not get the overall #1 pick. Did anybody think it would come down to this? Do the Bruins end up sending talent to Carolina to make sure they finish ahead of Toronto in the standings? This is a mess!
- spatso

It's been done before............that is how Guy Lafleur ended up in
Montreal.

http://www.canada.com/sas...be-4010-a950-758163193de9

One year before Lafleur was eligible for the draft, Pollock somehow managed to convince Oakland Seals management - whose team had finished fourth in the West Division, 20 points ahead of the Kings - to agree to a trade.

Pollock sent fringe forward Ernie Hicke and the Canadiens' first-round choice in 1970 (Chris Oddliefson) to the Seals in exchange for defenceman François Lacombe, cash and the Seals' first-round pick in 1971.

Pollock didn't stop there. On Jan. 26, 1971, he sent his talented centreman Ralph Backstrom to the struggling Kings for Gord Labossière and Ray Fortin with only one idea in mind: to strengthen the Kings sufficiently so that they would at least finish ahead of the Seals in Lafleur's draft year.

That was Pollock: always looking ahead. Los Angeles, with Backstrom, was an improved team. California finished last with a meagre 45 points in what had become a 14-team league. The Canadiens had Lafleur.

It's been done before............that is how Guy Lafleur ended up in
Montreal.

http://www.canada.com/sas...be-4010-a950-758163193de9

One year before Lafleur was eligible for the draft, Pollock somehow managed to convince Oakland Seals management - whose team had finished fourth in the West Division, 20 points ahead of the Kings - to agree to a trade.

Pollock sent fringe forward Ernie Hicke and the Canadiens' first-round choice in 1970 (Chris Oddliefson) to the Seals in exchange for defenceman François Lacombe, cash and the Seals' first-round pick in 1971.

Pollock didn't stop there. On Jan. 26, 1971, he sent his talented centreman Ralph Backstrom to the struggling Kings for Gord Labossière and Ray Fortin with only one idea in mind: to strengthen the Kings sufficiently so that they would at least finish ahead of the Seals in Lafleur's draft year.

That was Pollock: always looking ahead. Los Angeles, with Backstrom, was an improved team. California finished last with a meagre 45 points in what had become a 14-team league. The Canadiens had Lafleur.
- Doppleganger

Wow!

On the other hand, if I am Carolina, maybe I offer Eric Staal to Boston for the #1 Leaf pick so I am likely getting the #1 and #2 pick overall. Boston would be a monster force in the playoffs if they added Staal. Boston fans know that from last year.

Wow!

On the other hand, if I am Carolina, maybe I offer Eric Staal to Boston for the #1 Leaf pick so I am likely getting the #1 and #2 pick overall. Boston would be a monster force in the playoffs if they added Staal. Boston fans know that from last year.
- spatso

If any Cap issues could be worked out (By Boston) that would be on heck of a trade deadline deal.

The leafs should have won but Leclaire stole it for the Sens.

3-16 is way below even what I expected. That's a pace for 13 wins all season.
- Jimbo976

would probably be one of the worst record in NHL history

would probably be one of the worst record in NHL history
- D4nY

Has it ever happened that a team gave up the overall #1 draft pick for two consecutive years?

Has it ever happened that a team gave up the overall #1 draft pick for two consecutive years?
- spatso

I don't think even Mike Milbury did it.

Well that appears to be true. He's scoring at an incredible pace and has ZERO talent around him. Problem is his goals alone aren't enough.

You really like to spin the poop don't you?? Now that your stance that he can't score without Savard has fallen by the way-side, you twist your argument and say that Kessel can;t score enough on his own to win. Well yeah , that was never in question. Point was wether he could score without Savard. So far he's proving that he can. IN fact he's proving that he doesn't even need capable limemates. The rest of the team has to make some contribution though.
- burn

Wow!

On the other hand, if I am Carolina, maybe I offer Eric Staal to Boston for the #1 Leaf pick so I am likely getting the #1 and #2 pick overall. Boston would be a monster force in the playoffs if they added Staal. Boston fans know that from last year.
- spatso

why on earth would you trade Staal for that? They're better off with Staal and Hall than Hall and whoever gets taken 7th

why on earth would you trade Staal for that? They're better off with Staal and Hall than Hall and whoever gets taken 7th
- Schenn-Sational!

You are probably right.

But, teams that are able to reload with a concentration of high draft picks (Pittsburgh, Chicago) can rapidly become serious Stanley Cup contenders. Perhaps Tampa and the Islanders will be the next wave of great young rosters.

I was thinking that Carolina would have a shot at getting the 1st and 2nd pick in this years draft and maybe the same next year if they could get the two Leaf picks from Boston in a deal for Staal.

Wow!

On the other hand, if I am Carolina, maybe I offer Eric Staal to Boston for the #1 Leaf pick so I am likely getting the #1 and #2 pick overall. Boston would be a monster force in the playoffs if they added Staal. Boston fans know that from last year.
- spatso

Stupid, stupid idea. I'm sorry, that's just all this terrible idea requires.

Eric Staal has a massive contract anyways. Boston can't afford him.

Eric Staal has a massive contract anyways. Boston can't afford him.
- RogerRoeper

If they figure they lose Savard in the off season, you know that Brian Blowhard
will make an offer, Staal is a much bigger, faster option.

Staal is a lot to give up. But, if Carolina had two top five picks this year and the same next they would be a potent force for a long time to come. Rutherford is a smart, smart man. He knows the season is already in the tank. He sees Washington and Tampa loaded with talent and he knows he needs a stronger and broader based talent pool. Boston knows they are at the window right now.

They need an edge if they are to compete with Washington and Pittsburgh once the playoffs come around. In fact, if they don't find some offensive upside they will not catch Buffalo. They could even miss the playoffs.

If they figure they lose Savard in the off season, you know that Brian Blowhard
will make an offer, Staal is a much bigger, faster option.

Staal is a lot to give up. But, if Carolina had two top five picks this year and the same next they would be a potent force for a long time to come. Rutherford is a smart, smart man. He knows the season is already in the tank. He sees Washington and Tampa loaded with talent and he knows he needs a stronger and broader based talent pool. Boston knows they are at the window right now.

They need an edge if they are to compete with Washington and Pittsburgh once the playoffs come around. In fact, if they don't find some offensive upside they will not catch Buffalo. They could even miss the playoffs.
- spatso

You say that Rutherford knows the season is already in the tank, and that he should be angling towards the entry draft...................could the same not be said of the leafs and BB?

They should also be looking towards the impending UFA market next July.

If they figure they lose Savard in the off season, you know that Brian Blowhard
will make an offer, Staal is a much bigger, faster option.

Staal is a lot to give up. But, if Carolina had two top five picks this year and the same next they would be a potent force for a long time to come. Rutherford is a smart, smart man. He knows the season is already in the tank. He sees Washington and Tampa loaded with talent and he knows he needs a stronger and broader based talent pool. Boston knows they are at the window right now.

They need an edge if they are to compete with Washington and Pittsburgh once the playoffs come around. In fact, if they don't find some offensive upside they will not catch Buffalo. They could even miss the playoffs.
- spatso

news flash, Staal is only 24 and they will build around him... no way they trade him.

news flash, Staal is only 24 and they will build around him... no way they trade him.
- D4nY

this is the exact same thing with Kessel... Burke threw away the rebuild according to many here, who fail to mention that the guy he got with those picks, isn't that much older than a draft pick anyways

this is the exact same thing with Kessel... Burke threw away the rebuild according to many here, who fail to mention that the guy he got with those picks, isn't that much older than a draft pick anyways
- Schenn-Sational!

Kessel is no Eric Staal.