He did a deal like that once before, his first big deal ever really, and it's comparable: Pronger for Shanahan, about 20 years ago.
Absolutely. Shanahan wanted no part of Hartford but as a hockey trade it was a good one for both sides.
Yep, only way I'm sending Maatta out in the deal is if we're also getting JVR back and they're taking all the spare parts/cap dumps.
Maatta+1st+Sutter+Kunitz+Scuderi+Spaling for Kessel+JVR
Could maybe add a prospect on top of that. Toronto could then flip Sutter, Spaling and Kunitz at the deadline for more picks.
We'd absolutely need to sign a defenseman to play with Letang though.
I think JVR is a pipe dream. I don't believe we have the assets to land both Kessel and JVR, and in my mind Kessel is the guy we need the most (and the guy Toronto needs to get rid of the most). Besides, we don't have enough London Knights grads to make it work! We only have two.
As for Letang's partner, we could use Scott Harrington. I mean, the guy was basically born to play with a Letang.
I suggested including a flip of Kunitz and JVR, but, yeah, there are some very limited scenarios where even people like us, who ordinarily would flip out over moving Maatta, wouldn't necessarily.
And, I think if the Pens are creative, introducing Maatta to discussions changes the dance. Maatta, not Kessel, would be the shiniest toy in discussions, and Toronto has the money, time, and assets to overpay for Maatta precisely how we fear JR might overpay for Kessel.
Exactly. It's not that we WANT to move Maatta, it's taking advantage of Mark Hunter's ***** for all things London. Not to mention I'm sure Mr. Babcock sees Maatta in very high regard. Then it becomes a Maatta deal as much as a Kessel deal.
They just acquired Marincin from Edm. He's not terrible if we need a blueliner to come back this way. They also have Stuart Percy who's not bad. And of course I'm sure they would love to get rid of Polak. Maybe there could be several D-men moved in this deal...Maatta, Lovejoy, Scuderi that way, Marincin and Polak this way. Something like that.
I don't understand why people laugh at the thought of signing Mike Green. The idea of helping Crosby and Malkin includes the PP, where Green is still among the very best in the league at quarterbacking one. And he's not ancient and coming off his best all-round campaign. I like him way more than the idea of bringing back Martin. We have puck movers, steady guys. We don't have an impact guy and Green could be that guy.
Who knows, maybe good 'ol JR could convince Green to take an Erhoff-type deal.
See, this is where, if it is Maatta, JR needs to leverage it. Go back to Shanny . . . I can move him, but can't get the green light. I need something else back.
Yup.
No way in hell are the Leafs gonna give up JVR and Kessel in any deal that doesn't involve Malkin
Agreed.
Be patient JR, Shanahan will break and everyone knows they don't want Phil back
Absolutely. There's just no way Toronto is keeping Kessel. If you wait them out until August you could crush their will.