By HOWARD BERGER
LONDON, Ont. (Sep. 18) — Though it’s a tantalizing pursuit, Maple Leafs’ general manager Brian Burke should probably think twice before selling off multiple draft picks for Boston winger Phil Kessel. Sure, Kessel appears to be a natural scorer in the NHL, but the benefits of acquiring him are off-set by the notion of stockpiling first-round selections. Just watching Nazem Kadri for a couple of nights in the pre-season — and getting another look at big Luke Schenn here at the John Labatt Centre – should be enough to convince Burke that staying conservative with his No. 1 picks will cause no harm to the franchise.
I was asked by colleague Darren Millard earlier this week on Hockey Central at Noon whether I would trade Kadri and Schenn for Kessel, which is the equivalent of acquiring the Bruins’ forward for a pair of first-round selections. My quick response was, “No, I wouldn’t make that deal.” And, here’s why: First, the Leafs should avoid trying to fast-track their way up the Eastern Conference standings. Such efforts have been mainly fruitless in the past for the Blue & White, and those that temporarily worked had negative, long-term implications. There is no overbearing impetus for Burke to make an immediate move up the ladder; most everyone in the city seems to be of the mindset that a conventional restructuring is in the best interest of the hockey club.
Burke has drawn praise for a significant enhancement in scouting personnel, something that has long been overdue with the Leafs. Why bring in more sets of eyes if you’re going to deal off prime draft choices? These yet-to-be-determined players will join the young pieces already in place, and give the Leafs a solid group with which to move forward… a group that will, additionally, provide the club excellent cap management as it operates under entry-level salary restrictions. If you are Burke, why not hang onto the No. 1 picks; trust your scouts, and see if you can legitimately improve by deploying the most conventional post-lockout model for success?
Isn’t it high time the Leafs resisted the temptation for a quick fix? And, isn’t doing so potentially more rewarding than trading cap-friendly components for a $5-million man when the club is still early in the building process?
Perhaps there is no right or wrong answer. Ten people may have eight different opinions. For me, however, it’s a no-brainer. Let Phil Kessel and his gargantuan contract go someplace else. Stick with your prime draft choices and allow your bulked-up scouting staff to do its job.
Ultimately, you’ll have few regrets.
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Howard the Leafs haven’t made the playoffs in 5 years. Nobody in the organization wants another spring of no post season hockey. Whatever it takes. The future is now.
- paulI agree 100% that we should not trade either Kadri or Schenn for Kessel. Bear in mind that it wouldn’t be just those two players, it would be those two plus approximately 3.2 million a year in cap space, so it would be like trading Kadri, Schenn and Hagman…way too high a price.
I agree that we should let the scouts do their job. If we do acquire Kessel, hopefully it will be for only one first rounder, and a future one at that.
- DavidWhen Burke first got here he emphasized the need for a proper rebuild. Now he seems to be going for
- Paul McDougallWow Howard,
- JohnThis maybe one of the first times that I agree with you, as much as Kessel would be great in a leafs uniform, overpaying for him with 1st round picks is not worth it, even though he was just a first round pick in 2005, the only way this trade would make sense is for Burke to go out and get a few more 1st round picks, by trading some roster players, the problem with that is that there really is no demand for any of the leafs players. He should just stay the course, I have decided to give burke four more years of building a contender, just do it right!!!!!!!!!
When Burke first got here he emphasized the need for a proper rebuild. Now he seems to be going for the quick fix. I think the suits at MLSE are pressuring him for playoff revenue (even one round), at the expense of long-term success. The Leafs need to finish last or close to it for next three years in order to get real talent in the draft and eventually contend.
- Paul McDougallHoward both you and Millard are missing the point here, Kessel type players seldom come on the market and when they do the cost is always prohibitive.
- RoyThis subject has been argued to death on a site I am a member of and we see it this way, or at least a majority do.
First the players you mentioned were picked 5th and 7th and Schenn having cost us an additional 2nd and 3rd, with the addition of Kessel and players like Komisarek and others, we are going to contend for a play off spot this year, taking us out of Lottery contention, so the players picked will certainly not be as good as either Kadri or Schenn.
Second if Kessel is offered a 5 million dollar 3 year deal, at the end of the contract he is still an RFA and at that time if we have cap problems, he can be dealt for just as good package, or we can re-sign him for a much longer deal and keep him in our organization.
Howard, I could not agree with you more. It would be great to get Kessel, but the price is WAY too steep.
Sure - he is a young, first rounder, but he has also head a number of health problems since being drafted…and as you point out, why would we give up two first rounders to get one in return?
I would be willing to give up one first-round selection and a player (someone like Stajan, Poni or White), but not much more than that…and obviously that’s not gonna get the deal done, so let Kessel go to Nashville and lets enjoy watching our own young guys develop.
- sb1978I agree with you. Too often, in life as in sports, we, human beings, tend to want to go to fast instead of confidently moving step by step.
- Pierre BéchardThis bad habit, as you put it so well, leads to useless stress and mistake after mistake.
I hope that we keep our draft picks and persevere as we head back to Stanley Cup contention year after year.
Kessel is talented, but if he had all the qualities that an organization wants in a player on a Stanley Cup contending team, Boston would do everything to keep him.
Let’s pass on Kessel. Let’s follow your advice instead, and Leafs fans will have lots more to cheer about as we watch our team become a real contender loaded with genuine talent.
off topic..
- Vladi’m listening to hockey central at noon.. how and why is nick kypreos on the radio, seriously
I don’t see two number one’s for Kessel. Brian Burke has been around the block and should be smarter than that. I think he can be had for a #2 and some younger talent (Tlusty, Kulemin et al) and one or two of our surplus “D”. The “B’s” can’t afford to keep him which should drive down the price. If he has attitude issues as has been heard on more than one occassion even going back to his U.S. junior days then getting rid of him would be addition by subtraction for the Bruins and alleviate cap issues. Ron Wilson is an attitude adjuster. Again I’ll ask how can we get Lucic in this deal. I know, I know but as they say if Gretzky can get traded then anyone is tradable. I got it. Schenn, Tlusty and Kulemin for Kessel and Lucic. Discuss amongst yourselves.
- JohnWhat you must remember is that Burke can always make a trade to re-acquire the 1st round picks.
A guy like Kaberle can fetch 1 and maybe 2 1st road picks at the deadline.
- GuidoI see your point, and agree on most. However i see Kessel as a first round pick. He is 21 and is a already proven scorer. If the price includes only one first round pick, i would jump on it. If they want our next two, i would agree 100% Howard.
- Sean NExactly Howard!
I don’t know why the Leafs are even considering giving up draft choices for Kessel. This just smacks of past Leaf regimes, trading draft picks away for bodies.
I hope Burke is smarter than to repeat past mistakes by the Leafs. Don’t do it!!!!
- J KovacsI completely agree with your opinion of not trading the draft picks. But If we were able to trade 1 draft pick (not this coming year if possible) and a young guy or 2? just not kadri bozak or schenn
- EarlI totally agree, paticularly in light of the current showings of mature rookies such as Bozak, Hanson and Stalberg; Kadri and up and coming Mihail Stefanovitch.
Why would you deprive any of these opportunity for a roster spot for an individual that:
1) is on the injury list until Nov and probably longer with rehab
2) will cost you $4 to million
3) will cost you a pile of draft picks when you are building a team through youth
4) described as distant and not a team player- not your typical Burke or Wilson type personality.
WHy, why, why?
- indubidublyWell said Howard. I have been saying that exact same thing from day one. What if Toronto does not move up the standing in any meaningful way over the next few years? Then Kessel would cost us Schenn, Khadri, and Haynes type prospects. In fact, I am not sure I would even trade Schenn straight-up for Kessel. Plus, why has Boston been so eager to trade Kessel over the past two seasons? If they wanted this guy they would have made room for him - the cap argument is a joke. Lastly, is anybody not a little concerned that he has already had major shoulder surgery? This may be the beginning of many more shoulder problems to come.
- CJPGood blog. Obviously you’d never trade Kadri and Schenn for Kessel. I’d rather trade Kabs and a first for Kessel instead of two firsts and a second. They need to build from within. Anything in excess of a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick for Kessel is ludicrous. Just put out an offer sheet and see what Boston does.
- scottWhat you say makes a lot of sense but I wouldn’t compare acquiring Kessel to the moves that the Leafs made in years past to fasttrack their way up the eastern conference. In the past, Leaf management made bone-head moves dealing away picks and youth for much older players (Nolan, Leetch, etc). This isn’t the same thing. Kessel is 21 years old, has a huge upside, and could be around for years to come as an important part of a rebuilt contending team.
- KitRangFanI wouldn’t give up two 1st rounders though if I could help it. Unless the two 1st rounders could be split up. Like say one in the 2011 draft year and the other in the 2013 draft year with a second tossed in in 2012 draft year.
You speak the truth, Howard. The Leafs are finally on the right track and need to stay the course. Besides, we haven’t even seen what this Leafs team can do yet. Who knows, they may even surprise us. Good blog.
- MacKayOh! One more thing. Maybe most wouldn’t trade Kadri and Schenn for Kessel, but would you trade Luca Cerada and Jeff Ware for Kessel? Just because a player is a 1st round pick doesn’t mean that they’re a lock to be a star, or even a player, in the NHL.
At least we know what Kessel brings right now.
- KitRangFanwrong wrong …. again!
The same “experts” from last year who predicted a drop in total goals FOR are predicting the leafs will be lucky to make the playoffs.
What a joke!
Leafs will not finish much less than 15 overall(draft pick) the next 2 years. Kessel a potential star is worth that.
Why the leafs will jump in the standings?
The leafs last year had close to - if not - the worse goaltending and pen kill. They dramatically fixed that area. They still have the talent, the strong work ethic, and fluent coaching system to score.
Those who worry about the lost of Antropov and moore just need to reread this sentence until they realize what they are thinking.
plus you’re adding kessel
- eddyHoward, I do agree with you.Keep the first rounders for a change. In fact if he could get another one for next year, it would even be better. Let’s utilize these scouts.If Ottawa couldn’t get a 1st rounder for heatly then kessel should not be able to get it. a 2nd rounder,5th rounder and one of the 6th-8th defensemen on the team.
PS Howard why don’t you answer some of the comments people send you?
- AngeloKessel is 21 and far from a quick fix…fixture yes, quick fix no. Using the example Schenn and Kadri for Kessel is ludicrous. These 2 young guys are on the way to proving themselves. They are here and now. Future picks are unknown and not likely to be of NHL caliber. Make the deal and get on with it.
- bkhHi Howard, I heard the same arguement on Prime Time by McCowan.
The problem with the statement: “whether I would trade Kadri and Schenn for Kessel, which is the equivalent of acquiring the Bruins’ forward for a pair of first-round selections.” is that it is no the equivalent.
First there are many unknowns, however all things being equal, you’re trading:
* draft picks not players and only a percentage of draft picks become players not all
* even a lower percentage become effective players
* chances are the Leafs will finish higher than 25the and 23rd so the player quality won’t be the same
With Kessel, you’re getting a lot more of a sure thing than 2 picks.
Cheers
- Armen ZaghikianArmen
Kessel is not worth two first rounds and more importantly not worth $5m per year. Why does history keep repeating itself and why do people not learn from the past. Burke is not a stupid man, but this is a stupid move. I have stopped giving up my valuable time until this team shows they can build a consistent winning team, which we all knew was not going to happen for at least couple of more years until the draft picks matured along with the signing of a couple of good free agents. What’s the saying, 1 step forward, 3 steps back, that’s what will happend with this decision. How can you give up the possibility of 1st round pick like Talylor Hall if your team just tanks it next year
- MikeI guess I was wrong about Burke not trading two #1’s.
- Johnburke pressed the “panic button” in trading for kessel. those who praise burke should know what most of us have known for a very long time, burke is a hack. toronto has a history of turning good players into also rans, kessel will not stand up to the pressure and fickleness of toronto fans and media.
- pete