So given that we’re all jubilant over Kapanen at the moment, let’s take a look at the trade that brung ‘im. Just to see where we stand.
As a preface, I’ve been a fan of Kapanen from day one based on what Shanahan said of him, and reading about Shanahan consulting with Kapanen’s father prior to the draft where he ultimately took Nylander (he also consulted with Michael prior to that selection).
I was also not a fan of the Kessel trade at the time because I felt we sold low. It was Kessel’s worst statistical year and we were bringing in Babcock who could’ve gotten Kessel to perform and likely secured us a better package.
So I’ll try and be impartial but that’s where I’m at personally as I start this review.
July 1, 2015
RW Phil Kessel (27), 6-years $6.8M AAV (after $1.2M retained by Toronto), UFA
RW Tyler Biggs (22), 1-year $1.1M AAV, RFA (technically no cap hit as he was waiver eligible)
LHD Tim Erixon (24), 2-years $0.6M AAV, UFA
PIT 2nd round pick 2016
RW Kasperi Kapanen (18), 5-years* $0.894M AAV, RFA (*entry level contract)
LHD Scott Harrington (22), 1-year $0.896M AAV, RFA
Nick Spaling (26), 1-year $3.264M AAV, UFA
PIT 1st round pick 2016
NJD 3rd round pick 2016
The draft picks were converted as above.
Toronto would go on to trade the Pens 1st along with SJS’s 2nd 2017 (Maxime Comtois) for Frederik Andersen.
The Leafs selected James Greenway with the NJD’s 3rd round pick. Here’s a write-up from August 2017. It’s older but it’s a pretty complete analysis.
Pittsburgh selected Kasper Bjorkqvist with their 2nd round pick. Here’s a recent write-up about him. Seems like a good prospect.
So the jury is still out on the draft picks, and we don’t need to care much about Sam Steel, the Ducks’ selection with the 1st, since the Kapanen trade proper was between Pittsburgh and the Leafs.
So, Harrington played a grand total of 15 games for the Leafs before being overtaken by other prospects. Injuries were a factor. He was traded along with future considerations in June 2016 for Kerby Rychel.
Nick Spaling played only 35 games for us in 2015-16, before being packaged at the trade deadline with Roman Polak for Raffi Torres, SJS 2nd 2017 and SJS 2nd 2018 picks.
Not a bad haul!
So what are everyone’s thoughts right now?
Would you do it again?
Does Pittsburgh winning back-to-back Stanley Cups (with Kessel almost winning the Conn Smythe in the 2nd year) make a difference in how you evaluate this deal?
As a preface, I’ve been a fan of Kapanen from day one based on what Shanahan said of him, and reading about Shanahan consulting with Kapanen’s father prior to the draft where he ultimately took Nylander (he also consulted with Michael prior to that selection).
I was also not a fan of the Kessel trade at the time because I felt we sold low. It was Kessel’s worst statistical year and we were bringing in Babcock who could’ve gotten Kessel to perform and likely secured us a better package.
So I’ll try and be impartial but that’s where I’m at personally as I start this review.
July 1, 2015
RW Phil Kessel (27), 6-years $6.8M AAV (after $1.2M retained by Toronto), UFA
RW Tyler Biggs (22), 1-year $1.1M AAV, RFA (technically no cap hit as he was waiver eligible)
LHD Tim Erixon (24), 2-years $0.6M AAV, UFA
PIT 2nd round pick 2016
RW Kasperi Kapanen (18), 5-years* $0.894M AAV, RFA (*entry level contract)
LHD Scott Harrington (22), 1-year $0.896M AAV, RFA
Nick Spaling (26), 1-year $3.264M AAV, UFA
PIT 1st round pick 2016
NJD 3rd round pick 2016
The draft picks were converted as above.
Toronto would go on to trade the Pens 1st along with SJS’s 2nd 2017 (Maxime Comtois) for Frederik Andersen.
The Leafs selected James Greenway with the NJD’s 3rd round pick. Here’s a write-up from August 2017. It’s older but it’s a pretty complete analysis.
Pittsburgh selected Kasper Bjorkqvist with their 2nd round pick. Here’s a recent write-up about him. Seems like a good prospect.
So the jury is still out on the draft picks, and we don’t need to care much about Sam Steel, the Ducks’ selection with the 1st, since the Kapanen trade proper was between Pittsburgh and the Leafs.
So, Harrington played a grand total of 15 games for the Leafs before being overtaken by other prospects. Injuries were a factor. He was traded along with future considerations in June 2016 for Kerby Rychel.
- Rychel in turn was dealt to Montreal in February 2018 along with Rinat Valiev and the Leafs’ 2nd 2018 (Jacob Olofsson, centre) for Tomas Plekanec and Kyle Baun. Plekanec was mercurial and while he was a help in the playoffs especially during Kadri’s suspension, failed to help the Leafs past the Bruins. He re-signed with Montreal as a UFA before retiring this season. Kyle Baun was not re-signed by the Leafs and currently plays for Belfast in the UK.
Nick Spaling played only 35 games for us in 2015-16, before being packaged at the trade deadline with Roman Polak for Raffi Torres, SJS 2nd 2017 and SJS 2nd 2018 picks.
- Torres is relatively meaningless. He never was meant to play for Toronto and didn’t. The 2017 2nd was used to complete the Andersen trade from the Ducks, while the 2018 2nd was used to select Sean Durzi. Durzi was injured early on this year but looks to be a significant prospect if he continues to improve on a tremendous D+1 season.
Not a bad haul!
So what are everyone’s thoughts right now?
Would you do it again?
Does Pittsburgh winning back-to-back Stanley Cups (with Kessel almost winning the Conn Smythe in the 2nd year) make a difference in how you evaluate this deal?
