You make it sound like he traded all their picks. They still have picks to work with. The post first rounders are the ones that are the hardest to pick.
- RogerRoeper

I think that is the point. The farther down you go the harder it is to find someone that will make a difference. The Leafs are three years away before they have a first round pick. Perhaps Burke did make a good deal in getting Kessel. But I am certain that I am not the only Leaf fan who is discouraged by the dealing of 1st round picks.

I think that is the point. The farther down you go the harder it is to find someone that will make a difference. The Leafs are three years away before they have a first round pick. Perhaps Burke did make a good deal in getting Kessel. But I am certain that I am not the only Leaf fan who is discouraged by the dealing of 1st round picks.
- spatso

i didnt like giving up the picks but complaining about it endlessly us not gonna get them back.

i didnt like giving up the picks but complaining about it endlessly us not gonna get them back.
- sniper12

No, that is right. However, a larger point is looming. If the draft were held today Boston would be able to exercise what, at least for now, appears to be a Leaf lottery pick. I want to make sure that all of you who thought the signing of Kessel was a great deal remember the price that was paid. So, if you think it was a great deal speak up.

Burke is no different than JFJ. JFJ was going to build through the draft until the media hype and pressure started to do something. We were told it would be different with Burke. He was his own man, he would build through the draft. Picks were sacred. Well how long did it take for him to turn into another flim flam huckster.

JFJ traded for 30-something guys past their primes. Kessel is 21. The chances of the Leafs' pick being better than him is minimal.

And what's the point of "If The Season Ended Today..." There is 79 games left!

No, that is right. However, a larger point is looming. If the draft were held today Boston would be able to exercise what, at least for now, appears to be a Leaf lottery pick. I want to make sure that all of you who thought the signing of Kessel was a great deal remember the price that was paid. So, if you think it was a great deal speak up.

Burke is no different than JFJ. JFJ was going to build through the draft until the media hype and pressure started to do something. We were told it would be different with Burke. He was his own man, he would build through the draft. Picks were sacred. Well how long did it take for him to turn into another flim flam huckster.
- spatso

Right on again. The Leafs are pretty screwed. At least they should be able to get they can get a late 1st round pick and a decent prospect for Kaberle.

JFJ traded for 30-something guys past their primes. Kessel is 21. The chances of the Leafs' pick being better than him is minimal.

And what's the point of "If The Season Ended Today..." There is 79 games left!
- RogerRoeper

You keep underrating high draft picks and overrating Kessel.

JFJ traded for 30-something guys past their primes. Kessel is 21. The chances of the Leafs' pick being better than him is minimal.

And what's the point of "If The Season Ended Today..." There is 79 games left!
- RogerRoeper

I am not sure you understand how your comments fit into the pattern of the last ten years or more. Perhaps Kessel is better than any other sucker deal made by the Leafs in the past. We had a break from the craziness last year and the appearance of Schenn caused many of us to believe that we were finally going to do it the right way. More hope came with this year and you can't help but be excited for what Kahdri may bring in the future. But all of a sudden Burke's ego gets the best of him and he deals the next two #1 picks in successive years.

One player does not make a contender. Does anybody really believe that Kessel has made the Leafs a serious Cup contender. So, we all go back to the crazy making. We begin to wonder if we are in the playoff hunt at the trade deadline we could deal Kahdri in order to improve your chances in the post season. Insane!

You keep underrating high draft picks and overrating Kessel.
- jeffyjones

agreed. im interested to see leaf fans response when kessel ends up being a 20-30 goal scorer because he doesnt have an elite playmaker to play with. That and the leafs ARE NOT a playoff team this year and probably even next year so thats trading 2 very high draft picks for a player that probably won't put up even close to the numbers he did last year until you guys make another trade to bring in a playmaker. maybe kadri becomes that guy but not for a while. i would take 2 top 10 prospects over kessel anyday (as long as its a rebuilding team like the leafs). if it was my team (the oilers) i would take kessel because we have one of the better playmakers in the game (hemsky) to play him with and we are filled with youthful talent. toronto has neither of those things..

way to rush the rebuild burkie!!! poor naive toronto fans will realize this soon.

lets be serious for a second here, this team does not look like a cup contender. With kessel in the lineup, they are bubble team for the playoffs, and having traded away our 2 first rounders, the gm (tired of hearing his name already) better have somethin up his sleave because he ll be making jfj look like a genius if he thinks this bunch of forwards can take us to the promise land. Grabovski and Stajan both are 2nd line centres and neither will lead us to the finals as our #1 centre, so we need one of those, our wing doesnt look to bad with stalberg, kulemin,tlusty,hanson.Kadri as far as young guys go, we have older vets too, but none are really game breakers that can put a team on there shoulders, and dont tell me its 3 games in, yes we have a chance of playoffs im not sayin we dont, but burke better have a couple moves up his sleave s to bring an impact forward or two in, mainly a centre, Bozak can be our #1 of the future i think but we wont be makin a cup run with him anytime soon. Apparently a crappy draft year, maybe so, love the acquisition of kessel, but if were still a couple years away, and i guess in the long rant i am sayin 2 1st's hurt. Unless he plans on reaquring a 1st but it wont be in the top 15 thats for sure.

agreed. im interested to see leaf fans response when kessel ends up being a 20-30 goal scorer because he doesnt have an elite playmaker to play with. That and the leafs ARE NOT a playoff team this year and probably even next year so thats trading 2 very high draft picks for a player that probably won't put up even close to the numbers he did last year until you guys make another trade to bring in a playmaker. maybe kadri becomes that guy but not for a while. i would take 2 top 10 prospects over kessel anyday (as long as its a rebuilding team like the leafs). if it was my team (the oilers) i would take kessel because we have one of the better playmakers in the game (hemsky) to play him with and we are filled with youthful talent. toronto has neither of those things..

way to rush the rebuild burkie!!! poor naive toronto fans will realize this soon.
- gretzky

I think you may not realize how many long term Leaf fans are upset by what has happened. Many fans are merely cheerleaders, they refuse to look beyond the team logo. I was certain that we had finally turned a corner. Schenn and Kahdri would not turn the entire year but they were the leading edge of what could have been a championship revival. I know that there are many, many Leaf fans who think the same as I do. I know there are a whole bunch more who are afraid to admit it to themselves their disappointment Burke's self promoting ways.

Many fans are merely cheerleaders, they refuse to look beyond the team logo.
- spatso

So true.

lets be serious for a second here, this team does not look like a cup contender. With kessel in the lineup, they are bubble team for the playoffs, and having traded away our 2 first rounders, the gm (tired of hearing his name already) better have somethin up his sleave because he ll be making jfj look like a genius if he thinks this bunch of forwards can take us to the promise land. Grabovski and Stajan both are 2nd line centres and neither will lead us to the finals as our #1 centre, so we need one of those, our wing doesnt look to bad with stalberg, kulemin,tlusty,hanson.Kadri as far as young guys go, we have older vets too, but none are really game breakers that can put a team on there shoulders, and dont tell me its 3 games in, yes we have a chance of playoffs im not sayin we dont, but burke better have a couple moves up his sleave s to bring an impact forward or two in, mainly a centre, Bozak can be our #1 of the future i think but we wont be makin a cup run with him anytime soon. Apparently a crappy draft year, maybe so, love the acquisition of kessel, but if were still a couple years away, and i guess in the long rant i am sayin 2 1st's hurt. Unless he plans on reaquring a 1st but it wont be in the top 15 thats for sure.
- sniper12

Generally I am in agreement with all your points and your reasoned tone. The difficulty is that a large part of this is an emotional issue. Leaf fans are as knowledgeable as any in hockey. Everyone can develop a logical explanation for Burke dealing for Kessel. But, we also know we have had this empty feeling in the pit of our stomach before. Leaf fans will stick with their team and suffer the losses. Deep in our guts we know this is not the right way. It is painful to admit, but the truth will set you free.

I think you may not realize how many long term Leaf fans are upset by what has happened. Many fans are merely cheerleaders, they refuse to look beyond the team logo. I was certain that we had finally turned a corner. Schenn and Kahdri would not turn the entire year but they were the leading edge of what could have been a championship revival. I know that there are many, many Leaf fans who think the same as I do. I know there are a whole bunch more who are afraid to admit it to themselves their disappointment Burke's self promoting ways.
- spatso

well im glad not all toronto fans are wearing the rose colored glasses. 6 months ago every toronto fan on here is yapping about how they are going to rebuild through the draft and spend 3-4 years sucking until their youth develops and turns them into a ture contender. since then, you guys have done the exact opposite and only have kessel to show for it (who is overrated in my mind, he played with the best playmaker in the game) this is a very serious situation for toronto and *most* fans are buying into this ridiculous hype thinking that there back to being contenders.

glad some of you kept to your word and realize this rebuild was way too rushed.

well im glad not all toronto fans are wearing the rose colored glasses. 6 months ago every toronto fan on here is yapping about how they are going to rebuild through the draft and spend 3-4 years sucking until their youth develops and turns them into a ture contender. since then, you guys have done the exact opposite and only have kessel to show for it (who is overrated in my mind, he played with the best playmaker in the game) this is a very serious situation for toronto and *most* fans are buying into this ridiculous hype thinking that there back to being contenders.

glad some of you kept to your word and realize this rebuild was way too rushed.
- gretzky

LOL. I love the spin that Kessel only scored because of Savard. Did Lucic get helped by Savard BTW?

No one said they were "Contender" BTW. Most thought they could finish 6th-8th in the East, which they very well could.


BTW, Kessel scored 36 goals in only 70 games with little PP time and only borderline 2nd line minutes. He'll get 4 minutes more a night playing in Toronto. The Savard thing is a lousy excuse. There's a reason he was a lottery pick.

. Does anybody really believe that Kessel has made the Leafs a serious Cup contender.
- spatso

Not for a second. But I also don't believe the next two first rounders would either.

I don't think you're getting how hard it is to draft a player better than Kessel.

Here's Kessel 42 goals total scored in 08-09'. I'm getting a little tired of the excuse of him only scoring because of Savard since the same people said the same thing about Sarard himself when he playedb in Atlanta (he'll never score as many points without Kovalchuk)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqXSQz6FI5s


Fact: Kessel played just over 16 minutes a night. His 36 goals in 70 games is fantastic given his rather modest ice time.

You keep underrating high draft picks and overrating Kessel.
- jeffyjones

Depends how high they are. The vast majority of first rounders will never top what Kessel did at age 21.

Of the 23 and under NHL players last season, only Ovechkin scored more goals.

well im glad not all toronto fans are wearing the rose colored glasses. 6 months ago every toronto fan on here is yapping about how they are going to rebuild through the draft and spend 3-4 years sucking until their youth develops and turns them into a ture contender. since then, you guys have done the exact opposite and only have kessel to show for it (who is overrated in my mind, he played with the best playmaker in the game) this is a very serious situation for toronto and *most* fans are buying into this ridiculous hype thinking that there back to being contenders.

glad some of you kept to your word and realize this rebuild was way too rushed.
- gretzky

Leaf fans are great hockey fans. They do not cheer for their team any more irrationally than any other group of fans. All fans want their team to do well. The problem is that many fans are way ahead of the media and would accept a good young fast team where the future upside was the excitement. Like Chicago just a few years ago. The media and corporate powers push for the splash. They want the deal. Deep in their heart Leaf fans are pleased to get Kessel, but they also know that it is deja vu all over again. We have seen good men before Burke insist that a championship team would be built through the draft. And, in a few months they go Sather on us and insist they have to be a part of every big deal that is being talked about.

I think Burke was embarressed by his grand stand on the Sedins. When he got shut out he changed the agenda and made about Kessel at any cost. So, he preserves his reputation as a wheeler dealer but he kicks our future in the teeth.

Leaf fans are great hockey fans. They do not cheer for their team any more irrationally than any other group of fans. All fans want their team to do well. The problem is that many fans are way ahead of the media and would accept a good young fast team where the future upside was the excitement. Like Chicago just a few years ago. The media and corporate powers push for the splash. They want the deal. Deep in their heart Leaf fans are pleased to get Kessel, but they also know that it is deja vu all over again. We have seen good men before Burke insist that a championship team would be built through the draft. And, in a few months they go Sather on us and insist they have to be a part of every big deal that is being talked about.

I think Burke was embarressed by his grand stand on the Sedins. When he got shut out he changed the agenda and made about Kessel at any cost. So, he preserves his reputation as a wheeler dealer but he kicks our future in the teeth.
- spatso

who do you think kessel's linemates will be?

who do you think kessel's linemates will be?
- gretzky

Stajan is very responsible with the puck. You wonder if he could turn into a high end play maker if he had a scorer on his wing. Stalberg plying with Kessel would give the line as much speed as any in the league.

But, I am inclined to think the leafs are going to have to find a veteran center who can work with Kessel. Remember how effective Conry was with Iginla in the early years. If you could wave a magic wand and do something special I would hope that the Leafs might find a way to get Sharp from Chicago. All kinds of reports this morning about Chicago going to have to find a cap solution by dumping salary and Sharp's name appears to be near the top of the list.

LOL. I love the spin that Kessel only scored because of Savard. Did Lucic get helped by Savard BTW?

No one said they were "Contender" BTW. Most thought they could finish 6th-8th in the East, which they very well could.


BTW, Kessel scored 36 goals in only 70 games with little PP time and only borderline 2nd line minutes. He'll get 4 minutes more a night playing in Toronto. The Savard thing is a lousy excuse. There's a reason he was a lottery pick.
- RogerRoeper

Which also means he was not matched up with the oppositions top checking unit.. Unless the Leafs have a first line that will get the attention, Kessel is going to be getting a lot tougher line match ups.

Which also means he was not matched up with the oppositions top checking unit.. Unless the Leafs have a first line that will get the attention, Kessel is going to be getting a lot tougher line match ups.
- Big T

Didn't Savard played against the oppositions top checking unit??

Didn't Savard played against the oppositions top checking unit??
- burn

Yep, thus Kessell didn't, he was on the 2nd line... that was my point...

Yep, thus Kessell didn't, he was on the 2nd line... that was my point...
- Big T

I know that's your point. That's why I brought it up, cause it's wrong.

Kessel played with Savard!!

Don't you remember the whole "Kessel is crap without Savard"?

I know that's your point. That's why I brought it up, cause it's wrong.

Kessel played with Savard!!

Don't you remember the whole "Kessel is crap without Savard"?
- burn

Well I didn't say that.... Kessel may have gotten some time with Savard, but according to NHLcom, based on the amount of shifts he averaged on Boston I would say it was more like 2nd line duty. Kessel was 7th on the Bruins for average shifts per night for forwards, not exactly 1st line expectations.