Anton Babchuk
Registered User
Was there ever any actual source for this or was this just the usual fan thing of looking at on-ice body language and whether they talk to teammates at practice?
Hurricanes Offseason Thread Part II: Bring Back the Center Ice Flags!
- Thread starter DaveG
- Start date
I think Kessel is definitely a worthy 8 million dollar winger, but I'm kind of wary of the length. Guess term is what they had to offer to seal the deal.
TheBigKahuna
Registered User
He rented a billboard on the beltline, that said "Adios You Crap Hockey Town" when he left!
I heard Erik Cole chipped in on it.
Unsustainable
Seth Jarvis is Elite
Mr America
Registered User
Would he rather be here or some where in Kazakhstan getting hauled off the ice in a wheel barrow?
What the Faulk
You'll know when you go
Fixed that for you. I scanned Google really quick about him not liking his time here because I thought I remember seeing a source for it, but I couldn't find anything. Regardless, he wasn't good, sucked in San Jose and Detroit and now no one wants him. Why would anyone want to bring him back?
Boom Boom Apathy
I am the Professor. Deal with it!
- Sep 6, 2006
- 48,369
- 97,969
Compare Kessel's contract to Semin's and they look similar:
Semin signed at $7M / year and becomes a UFA when he's 34.
Kessel signed at $8M / year and becomes a UFA when he's 34.
Last 3 years:
Kessel: 212 GP, 89 Goals, 198 points
Semin: 186 GP, 62 Goals, 152 points.
Plus the Leafs have the ability to throw money around and bury/buy out and hide their mistakes if this becomes one down the road.
Semin signed at $7M / year and becomes a UFA when he's 34.
Kessel signed at $8M / year and becomes a UFA when he's 34.
Last 3 years:
Kessel: 212 GP, 89 Goals, 198 points
Semin: 186 GP, 62 Goals, 152 points.
Plus the Leafs have the ability to throw money around and bury/buy out and hide their mistakes if this becomes one down the road.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Similarly, it's a boatload of money and term to a player who will likely not be worth it for much longer. That said, Perry is a Hart winner, won a Cup with the Ducks, has had numerous strong playoffs, brings a multi-dimensional game and apparently the Ducks see him as part of their long-term branding identity along with Getzlaf. Much like Eric Staal here, an owner with any business sense will pay out their nose for such a player.
Kessel is not such a player. I'm willing to wait and let it play out because I feel certain that the Leafs will regret this deal before it's half over.
bleedgreen
Registered User
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
As an offensive piece, sure. But as a franchise cornerstone? Neither of them is really ideal for the role, but Perry at least put all his cards on the table before he cashed in.
bleedgreen
Registered User
I guess I don't understand what you mean by "all his cards on the table". That he had that playoff success? Kessel does all he can to get his team there by himself. Perry is dangly with the puck, making him prone to turning it over, and his success is very much tied to getzlaf. Kessel gets bozak. Plays a smart up and down game, in straight lines like coaches love. Almost always gets his shot off. Extremely consistent in style and approach.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Perry had a 50 goal, 98-point season (as compared to 37 goals and 82 points) while providing a better rounded game; after winning a Cup in Anaheim he had three consecutive playoff runs with a PPG+; and given the choice between him and Ryan as the co-face of the franchise, management threw their lot in with him. When a player like that comes up for his big-money contract, he's going to get paid. There's no getting around that.
Kessel has made some nice strides the last couple of years, but he's still a 35-goal, one-way winger with little to no leadership and or marketing value beyond his stat line. That is not a centerpiece player and I'm sorry, but I still don't see him as fully proven. Not at the level of a guy who has a ring and a Hart, anyway. Kessel still has to take that next step, and I'm not sure that finding him a better center is really the solution, given his style. Frankly I don't think he'll ever look better than he does as the solo option.
Both contracts are bloated, but IMO Kessel's is the less justifiable unless you're interested in paying out the nose for potential.
Novacane
Registered User
- Oct 31, 2007
- 39,254
- 41,272
I'd rather build around Kessel. I'd rather have Perry if I already have an elite center to build around.
Wild Caniac
@WildCaniac
bleedgreen
Registered User
bleedgreen
Registered User
Agree to disagree, I think perry is a one way winger that wouldn't be as productive without his center. I think kessel brings a lot more than you give him credit for. I think he's proved it plenty. He was great in the playoffs last year, and I think he'll do it again. I don't think he is being paid on potential, he's bringing it nightly. He didn't score tonight but was the most dangerous forward for the leafs as usual, creating chances all night.
I think perry wouldn't be as successful without getzlaf, who doesn't get nearly the credit he should. Aside from his off season prior to the lockout he's a dominant power forward with soft mitts and vision. I'd definitely take getzlaf over either of these two, obviously.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Fair enough. I agree that a franchise center like Getzlaf is far more suited for that type of organizational commitment.
On a different note, this is an excellent post summarizing all the significant free agents remaining:
http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showpost.php?p=71791059&postcount=2
- Dec 6, 2011
- 12,377
- 39,470
There are still a lot of free agents out there that could have a positive impact on a team. As the season goes on and you see which teams get devastated with injuries or just need depth, a lot of these guys may still find their way to teams. It really does suck for all of them that the cap has forced them out to start the season like this though.
