Judging by the last 10 games it should be re-named Hab Agony.
- Holy-Mackinaw

Really?

4-5-1

Really?

4-5-1
- hello_there

Really?

4-5-1
- hello_there

Because sub .500 gets you into the playoffs, right?

Because sub .500 gets you into the playoffs, right?
- daeth

just got our best player back

just got our best player back
- BingoLady

I realize things are looking up for Montreal, but their past 10 games don't indicate that obviously.

I realize things are looking up for Montreal, but their past 10 games don't indicate that obviously.
- daeth

It's far from what should be called "agony" though.

It's far from what should be called "agony" though.
- hello_there

5 of their last 6 games have been losses, so I don't know. Their last 10 games haven't been pretty overall. Now that Markov is back I think a playoff spot is quite possible (maybe even likely), but they sure were stinking it up in the last couple weeks before Markov's return.

5 of their last 6 games have been losses, so I don't know. Their last 10 games haven't been pretty overall. Now that Markov is back I think a playoff spot is quite possible (maybe even likely), but they sure were stinking it up in the last couple weeks before Markov's return.
- daeth

Gionta is also coming back before Christmas. Hamrlik as well.
That's huge!

The loss last night appeared to be somewhat agonizing at least.

The loss last night appeared to be somewhat agonizing at least.
- Jimbo976

If you're an Oilers fan.

All things considered the Leafs have done well to get back into the fight for a playoff position. On the other hand, I do despair for the future. Why would an inferior team give away first round draft picks to a team in their own division? Brian Blowhard is an idiot and I believe he does not understand the mistake he has made. He has recently said he would do the same deal for Kessel. I think that is the problem. He does not know that he does not know.

All things considered the Leafs have done well to get back into the fight for a playoff position. On the other hand, I do despair for the future. Why would an inferior team give away first round draft picks to a team in their own division? Brian Blowhard is an idiot and I believe he does not understand the mistake he has made. He has recently said he would do the same deal for Kessel. I think that is the problem. He does not know that he does not know.
- spatso

Of course he would do it again. Sure Kessel by himself will not completely change the team around, but more changes can be made through the Marlies and free agency. Honestly though, where else are you going to get players like Kessel at his age without paying a premium? Even drafts are no longer a given unless you're drafting top-3.

All things considered the Leafs have done well to get back into the fight for a playoff position. On the other hand, I do despair for the future. Why would an inferior team give away first round draft picks to a team in their own division? Brian Blowhard is an idiot and I believe he does not understand the mistake he has made. He has recently said he would do the same deal for Kessel. I think that is the problem. He does not know that he does not know.
- spatso

Sorry, but toronto is not any closer to a playoff spot than they were a couple of weeks ago.

You have to look past the snapshot of today (points) and look at the entirety of the season, all 82 games. There still in only one team with fewer wins than the leafs in the entire NHL..........and only two teams with a lower Points Percentage..........for mathematically there are no teams eliminated from the playoffs yet, but it is getting harder to gain and maintain ground the longer the season goes along.

They've dug themselves into a giant hole with the terrible start to the season........and for them to sneak into the final playoff spot they will have to maintain a record of winning three games for every one they lose for the remainder of the season............and that is one huge hurdle to get over.

http://www.sportsclubstat...Northeast/MapleLeafs.html

http://www.sportsclubstat...anceWillMakePlayoffs.html

All things considered the Leafs have done well to get back into the fight for a playoff position. On the other hand, I do despair for the future. Why would an inferior team give away first round draft picks to a team in their own division? Brian Blowhard is an idiot and I believe he does not understand the mistake he has made. He has recently said he would do the same deal for Kessel. I think that is the problem. He does not know that he does not know.
- spatso

Why would a cup contender trade their top goal scorer who's 22 to a division rival?

Why would a cup contender trade their top goal scorer who's 22 to a division rival?
- RogerRoeper

To make sure they contend for the next 10 years with two top5-10 picks and one 2nd round pick + their own as well as having the possibility to acquire a player as good as or better than Kessel at the trade deadline and still enjoying the luxury to draft in the first round?

To make sure they contend for the next 10 years with two top5-10 picks and one 2nd round pick + their own as well as having the possibility to acquire a player as good as or better than Kessel at the trade deadline and still enjoying the luxury to draft in the first round?
- hello_there

But how can they contend for the next 10 years without Chara or Savard in his prime? The time to contend for a cup is now not in years from now.

And you're that confident that the two firsts are top 5, even with the standings as the currently are? What if they don't get a top 6 pick in 2010? There's a massive drop-off after that.

To make sure they contend for the next 10 years with two top5-10 picks and one 2nd round pick + their own as well as having the possibility to acquire a player as good as or better than Kessel at the trade deadline and still enjoying the luxury to draft in the first round?
- hello_there

I'm not a fan of the trade. But it could be worse. He could have targeted Gomez, and completely f*&ked up the franchise for the next 5 years.

But how can they contend for the next 10 years without Chara or Savard in his prime? The time to contend for a cup is now not in years from now.

And you're that cofident that the two firsts are top 5, even with the standings as the currently are? What if they don't get a top 6 pick in 2010? There's a massive drop-off after that.
- RogerRoeper

Boston should be very competitive for the next 5+ years... they have a great cap situation, a good core of young players and also because of the Leafs' horrible trades - the Rask + Kessel trades.
I think that mostly/partly because of the Leafs, the Bruins have one of the best (if not the best) future.

Boston should be very competitive for the next 5+ years... they have a great cap situation, a good core of young players and also because of the Leafs' horrible trades - the Rask + Kessel trades.
I think that mostly/partly because of the Leafs, the Bruins have one of the best (if not the best) future.
- hello_there

They have a great cap situation? Huh? They would have signed Kessel if not for their screwed up cap situation.

Boston should be very competitive for the next 5+ years... they have a great cap situation, a good core of young players and also because of the Leafs' horrible trades - the Rask + Kessel trades.
I think that mostly/partly because of the Leafs, the Bruins have one of the best (if not the best) future.
- hello_there

They don't have a great cap situation beyond next season.

And i'm curious how the Kessel trade is a "Horrible" trade given you have no idea who they'll get in draft picks.

They don't have a great cap situation beyond next season.

And i'm curious how the Kessel trade is a "Horrible" trade given you have no idea who they'll get in draft picks.
- RogerRoeper

It's easy to say if a trade was good or not a few years after a trade but it's unfair for the GMs. The Kessel trade, when it was done, looked horrible to me and still looks horrible.

It's easy to say if a trade was good or not a few years after a trade but it's unfair for the GMs. The Kessel trade, when it was done, looked horrible to me and still looks horrible.
- hello_there

Does it cripple the organization for 5 years like the Gomez trade?

It's easy to say if a trade was good or not a few years after a trade but it's unfair for the GMs. The Kessel trade, when it was done, looked horrible to me and still looks horrible.
- hello_there

It's easy to say a few years after a trade, but it also makes the most sense. You can't call a tradee a terible one until you see who they drafted.

Does it make sense for Boston? They can't score and are now looking to trade for a scoring winger. How much sense does the trade make for them?

It's easy to say a few years after a trade, but it also makes the most sense. You can't call a tradee a terible one until you see who they drafted.

Does it make sense for Boston? They can't score and are now looking to trade for a scoring winger. How much sense does the trade make for them?
- RogerRoeper

They will probably find a player better than Kessel for their playoffs push and this without giving away any of the high draft picks they received from Toronto.

They will probably find a player better than Kessel for their playoffs push and this without giving away any of the high draft picks they received from Toronto.
- hello_there

WTF are you smoking?