Kessel is on pace for 47 points.

not to mention he wasnt eligable to play in the AHL last year
- sniper12

Okay, then back to junior then..............there was those who criticized the decision.

Okay, then back to junior then..............there was those who criticized the decision.
- Doppleganger

and those people being?

You can believe that ALL journalists that covered the NHL two years ago agreed that Schenn should have been left on the leafs roster (if you want to), rather than being sent down to develop in junior (Like Tyler Myers), which would have severed him, and the leafs, better in the long run. After all, are the leafs not in a rebuilding phase right now? Did they really need Scheen in the NHL last year, to miss the playoffs?

But you and I know that the journalists who cover the NHL rarely ALL agree on anything. Even this season, some believe he would have benefited if he spent sometime in the AHL.

Who is the better defenseman right now? Luke Scheen or Tyler Myers??







The damage has been done, the error made for what seems like the millionth time in Maple Leaf history.

Now, the challenge for Brian Burke and Co. is to make sure that more damage isn't done to Luke Schenn that would ultimately see him lumped together in Leaf history with Jim Benning, Bob McGill, Fred Boimistruck, Luke Richardson, Gary Nylund, Drake Berehowsky and Jeff Ware as promising defencemen whose careers were compromised in the name of rushing them to the NHL.

Some of those one-time Leafs enjoyed long and productive NHL careers, but none became stars. The idea was that Schenn, drafted fifth overall in '08 after the Leafs traded first, second and third round picks to the Islanders to move up two slots in the draft, would become a star and possibly a future Leaf captain.

He still might. He's a terrific young man, big and rugged and game. But only a fool would argue now that having Schenn play in the NHL last season was a useful move. It was pointless then and looks more pointless now.

It's clear that, like Richardson way back when, Schenn has not only taken a step back in his sophomore season, parts of his game were either retarded or left undeveloped by preventing his return to the junior ranks last season just so he could participate in yet another lost Leaf season.

You don't have to look much further than Buffalo's Tyler Myers — a player drafted seven slots after Schenn — to understand what a difference an extra year of junior experience, experience as a dominant player in all phases of the game, can make.

Schenn is capable of no more now than he was last year. In fact, some of the things he did well last season he does awkwardly now, with his confidence in tatters. Among the problems of rushing kids to the NHL is that if they do slip in their second seasons and require a move back to junior or the minors, it appears as though they've failed somehow. That's the impression many have of Columbus youngster Nikita Filatov, drafted immediately after Schenn and now back playing in Russia.

Schenn hasn't failed. The Leafs, starting with Cliff Fletcher and Ron Wilson, failed him, or at least failed to logically and gradually sculpt his talents to make him the best player he can be, not just a kid who made them look good because they could say he was ready to play in the NHL at 18.

So what now, now that Schenn has tumbled to the bottom of the Leafs blueline depth chart? As hard as it might be for all concerned, Schenn needs to go to the AHL to begin to serve the apprenticeship he should have served before he played his first NHL game. It might take the rest of this season. Maybe next year as well. That's what the minors are there for.

What is it about this Leaf organization that forever makes it treat the farm like a punishment or a form of menial labour rather than a useful development tool? At least the signs are that Burke intends to change this mentality, with Nazem Kadri properly returned to junior (hopefully more people understand the wisdom of that move now) and with Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson and Viktor Stalberg spending most of their time with the Marlies. Wouldn't hurt Jonas Gustavsson to get a few AHL games under his belt either.

Schenn, meanwhile, certainly isn't a lost prospect yet. But he will be if the Leafs, once more ignorant of their own history, continue to pretend he's developing as a player at the NHL level.

they are criticizing the decision now, but at the time? last year people said schenn was th e better defencemen, this year it is myers, and we wont know if the damage is done till next year when we see if this was a slump or something worse.

Kessel is on pace for 47 points.
- hello_there

So are the Leafs....

(Article)
- Doppleganger

From his play last year, bringing him up in the NHL wasn't the wrong direction. The mistake that Wilson made was relying on him so much as a Top 4 Defensemen on Toronto when he clearly wasn't ready. Schenn ended off last year recordring 20 minute nights, but that was around the end of the year where the Leafs were playing great and had no pressure, where in this case it's different. Besides, in the past few games Schenn looked great while they couldn't generate offense. Sending him down now is a bad idea, but Wilson should have been smart enough to keep Schenn on the 3rd D-pair like he did last year.

Hey I was wondering if Leafs fans could read a theory of mine regarding the Kessel trade and tell me what they think.

A lot of people wonder why Burke didn't just sign Kessel to an offer sheet, therefore paying a (1st, 2nd, 3rd) price, instead of trading (1st, 1st, 2nd).

My (conspiracy) theory is that Chiarelli told Burke that he wanted the (1st, 1st, 2nd) package, while Burke wanted to pay less, presumably around the (1st, 2nd, 3rd) compensation.

Burke was told that any offer sheet would be matched that would send the (1st, 2nd, 3rd) package, and Chiarelli would deal with moving salary afterwards.

Burke acquired his 3rd round pick back in an effort to "motivate" Chiarelli to lower his asking price by giving him the option of signing Kessel to an offer sheet.

Chiarelli then called Burke's bluff, maintained his asking price, and Burke not wanting to let Kessel get away caved, pulling the trigger on the (1st, 1st, 2nd) deal.

What do you think? It seems plausible, even logical to me.

Editted theory, incase anyone quoted already.

huge long quote
- Doppleganger

I would have sent him down too. But referencing a Damien Cox article won't buy you any points. This guy writes anything he can for attention. I'm not even sure he believes everything he writes.

Him and Simmons are probably the two crappiest journalists in Toronto. Followed closely by McCown and Burger (if you can call them journalists - I'm not sure I would)

Hey I was wondering if Leafs fans could read a theory of mine regarding the Kessel trade and tell me what they think.

A lot of people wonder why Burke didn't just sign Kessel to an offer sheet, therefore paying a (1st, 2nd, 3rd) price, instead of trading (1st, 1st, 2nd).

My (conspiracy) theory is that Chiarelli told Burke that he wanted the (1st, 1st, 2nd) package, while Burke wanted to pay less, presumably around the (1st, 2nd, 3rd) compensation.

Burke was told that any offer sheet would be matched that would send the (1st, 2nd, 3rd) package, and Chiarelli would deal with moving salary afterwards.

Burke acquired his 3rd round pick back in an effort to "motivate" Chiarelli to lower his asking price by giving him the option of signing Kessel to an offer sheet.

Chiarelli then called Burke's bluff, maintained his asking price, and Burke not wanting to let Kessel get away caved, pulling the trigger on the (1st, 1st, 2nd) deal.

What do you think? It seems plausible, even logical to me.

Editted theory, incase anyone quoted already.
- bureforearthsprez

That's a theory? I'd say it's pretty obvious. He had to pay more than the compensation package to GUARANTEE he got Kessel. To him, the first instead of the third was worth it. I would have preferred he went the offer sheet route.

That's a theory? I'd say it's pretty obvious. He had to pay more than the compensation package to GUARANTEE he got Kessel. To him, the first instead of the third was worth it. I would have preferred he went the offer sheet route.
- prock

Hey, I'm just saying what I've never seen anybody else say before. Relax.

maybe inside the toronto market place..........but no where else. Most pundits criticized the leafs for leaving him in the NHL last season......he would have benefited from a year in the AHL.
- Doppleganger

you are aware that he couldn't play in the AHL last year, right?

you are aware that he couldn't play in the AHL last year, right?
- Feeling Glucky?

yeah that was pointed out one page ago............my mistake and I stood corrected, of course he was only eligible to return to junior like Tyler Myers was. My point was that there were some people in the media questioning the decision to keep him up in the NHL.............and they have turned out to be right.

yeah that was pointed out one page ago............my mistake and I stood corrected, of course he was only eligible to return to junior like Tyler Myers was. My point was that there were some people in the media questioning the decision to keep him up in the NHL.............and they have turned out to be right.
- Doppleganger

I didn't believe he should be kept up... at the end of the season it looked like the right decision, and sure, he's having a sophomore slump right now, so it doesn't look like a good choice, but the same thing happens with countless players.

I would have sent him down too. But referencing a Damien Cox article won't buy you any points. This guy writes anything he can for attention. I'm not even sure he believes everything he writes.

Him and Simmons are probably the two crappiest journalists in Toronto. Followed closely by McCown and Burger (if you can call them journalists - I'm not sure I would)
- prock

I love McCown, he admits to never watching hockey and finding it boring, yet we're suppose to take his opinion seriously regarding what he thinks the Leafs should do.

Hey I was wondering if Leafs fans could read a theory of mine regarding the Kessel trade and tell me what they think.

A lot of people wonder why Burke didn't just sign Kessel to an offer sheet, therefore paying a (1st, 2nd, 3rd) price, instead of trading (1st, 1st, 2nd).

My (conspiracy) theory is that Chiarelli told Burke that he wanted the (1st, 1st, 2nd) package, while Burke wanted to pay less, presumably around the (1st, 2nd, 3rd) compensation.

Burke was told that any offer sheet would be matched that would send the (1st, 2nd, 3rd) package, and Chiarelli would deal with moving salary afterwards.

Burke acquired his 3rd round pick back in an effort to "motivate" Chiarelli to lower his asking price by giving him the option of signing Kessel to an offer sheet.

Chiarelli then called Burke's bluff, maintained his asking price, and Burke not wanting to let Kessel get away caved, pulling the trigger on the (1st, 1st, 2nd) deal.

What do you think? It seems plausible, even logical to me.

Editted theory, incase anyone quoted already.
- bureforearthsprez

Burke acquired a second rounder in the trade with Calgary, not a third.

Burke acquired a second rounder in the trade with Calgary, not a third.
- RogerRoeper

Same sh!t.

Same sh!t.
- bureforearthsprez

My point is it hurts the motivation factor you claimed.

Some one pointed out on the Team 1200 (Ottawa) this morning that the three bottom teams in the NHL standings all have Coaches who are, or were leaf coaches.

Some one pointed out on the Team 1200 (Ottawa) this morning that the three bottom teams in the NHL standings all have Coaches who are, or were leaf coaches.
- Doppleganger

Some one pointed out on the Team 1200 (Ottawa) this morning that the three bottom teams in the NHL standings all have Coaches who are, or were leaf coaches.
- Doppleganger

in all fairness, Pat Quinn was an excellent coach pre-lock out.

Some one pointed out on the Team 1200 (Ottawa) this morning that the three bottom teams in the NHL standings all have Coaches who are, or were leaf coaches.
- Doppleganger

they ripped that off Damien Cox. He mentioned that in one of his "articles" earlier in the week.

in all fairness, Pat Quinn was an excellent coach pre-lock out.
- Feeling Glucky?

Yeah, with a huge payroll. His coaching record in Toronto was benefitted by the Leafs signing UFA's to "Plug Holes"-Something they can't do post-lockout.

they ripped that off Damien Cox. He mentioned that in one of his "articles" earlier in the week.
- prock

anyone looking at the standings could have seen that for themselves. I doubt that anyone was "ripped off".

It does not change the fact that former leaf coaches are not doing any better in the NHL than they were when fired by the leafs.

I'm wondering if Wilson has a bit of protection (from being fired) given the fact that he is the Coach for the USA Olympic team.

It would be kinda hard for Burke to fire him from the leafs, and then team up with him in Vancouver.

Perhaps Burke's hands are tied on this option (firing his coach) and this may impact negatively on the leafs in the long run.

in all fairness, Pat Quinn was an excellent coach pre-lock out.
- Feeling Glucky?

Still could be if his team didn't suck.