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So let me get this straight:
The Leafs can go into the Bell Centre two nights before the Centennial and spank the Habs 3-0 (with Joey MacDonald in gaol for the final two periods). Then the Canadiens have the single biggest and most lavish ceremony I've ever seen at an NHL rink and with the legends of the team (and the game) watching, they destroy the Bruins 5-1. And finally, the Leafs go into Boston were Phil Kessel used to ply his trade and get rooked 7-2 to by the Bruins. Have I got it right? None of these teams seem to be able to win the Northeast division.
Meanwhile, the Centennial Celebration on Friday was nothing short of spectacular culminating with Gordie Howe introducing Jean Beliveau and the Canadiens paying homage to its two oldest living players (Elmer Lach and Emile Bouchard) by retiring their numbers 16 and 3 - although 16 had been retired for 34 years after they retired it for Henri Richard.
And of course the following texting session went on around 9:30 on Friday night
theactivestick: Oh guess where I am?
Unfinished Business: Bell Centre?
theactivestick: Yes!
Sufficed to say, theactivestick had a great time on Friday. I just enjoyed watching it for the pomp and circumstance. And Leafs Nation collectively puked in its mouth all weekend.
Showing posts with label Boston Bruins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston Bruins. Show all posts
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sober Second Thought on the Kessel Deal
I spent the weekend, among other things, digesting the ins and outs of the Phil Kessel move by the Toronto Maple Leafs. My initial reaction was, "Holy shit, the Leafs got Kessel. They're a lock for the playoffs." Then I quickly changed to,"What the fuck? Two firsts and a second for Kessel? Really?" Now I'm somewhere in the middle.
Kessel is obviously Toronto's best player on offence (and could be their best player period.) He's young (21) and he's not making a ton for his skill set ($5.4m/season for five years). That being said, he played with Marc Savard who is easily a top ten play-maker. Toronto doesn't have anyone close to him at centre. Also, I really wish the NHL had an equivalent of the NBA's "Ted Stepien rule" (see below for details). I'm never a fan of teams giving up so many high draft picks nor do I support trading a first and second round pick in the same draft.
Then there's the sticky situation of trade vs. offer sheet. At an average salary of $5.4m, Boston's compensation would have been picks in the first, second and third round as opposed to the two firsts and a second. But GMs are reluctant to use this option as it fosters poor relations with their fellow GMs by "inflating" salaries.
However, I get the sense that Brian Burke isn't done shaping this team. He knows that other GMs covet Tomas Kaberle, especially at his price point. If Burke can get Kaberle to waive his no-trade clause, we'll probably see the Leafs back in the first round and maybe acquiring a top-six forward as well.
In all, I'm neutral on this trade. It makes the Leafs better in the short term and likely puts them into the playoffs this season. But the playoffs aren't Brian Burke's stated goal; the Stanley Cup is. Trading high draft picks on a team that has no chance of making the Cup Final is a step sideways. Ladies and Gentlemen, it's your 2000, sorry, 2010 Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Ted Stepien Rule
Ted Stepien owed the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1980s and had a tendency to trade his first round picks. In one case, he traded the Cavs' pick in 1982 draft to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Cavs would finish last in the Eastern Conference and the Lakers drafted James Worthy. The NBA went on to ban teams from trading away consecutive first round picks.
Kessel is obviously Toronto's best player on offence (and could be their best player period.) He's young (21) and he's not making a ton for his skill set ($5.4m/season for five years). That being said, he played with Marc Savard who is easily a top ten play-maker. Toronto doesn't have anyone close to him at centre. Also, I really wish the NHL had an equivalent of the NBA's "Ted Stepien rule" (see below for details). I'm never a fan of teams giving up so many high draft picks nor do I support trading a first and second round pick in the same draft.
Then there's the sticky situation of trade vs. offer sheet. At an average salary of $5.4m, Boston's compensation would have been picks in the first, second and third round as opposed to the two firsts and a second. But GMs are reluctant to use this option as it fosters poor relations with their fellow GMs by "inflating" salaries.
However, I get the sense that Brian Burke isn't done shaping this team. He knows that other GMs covet Tomas Kaberle, especially at his price point. If Burke can get Kaberle to waive his no-trade clause, we'll probably see the Leafs back in the first round and maybe acquiring a top-six forward as well.
In all, I'm neutral on this trade. It makes the Leafs better in the short term and likely puts them into the playoffs this season. But the playoffs aren't Brian Burke's stated goal; the Stanley Cup is. Trading high draft picks on a team that has no chance of making the Cup Final is a step sideways. Ladies and Gentlemen, it's your 2000, sorry, 2010 Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Ted Stepien Rule
Ted Stepien owed the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1980s and had a tendency to trade his first round picks. In one case, he traded the Cavs' pick in 1982 draft to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Cavs would finish last in the Eastern Conference and the Lakers drafted James Worthy. The NBA went on to ban teams from trading away consecutive first round picks.
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