It has been reported that the Rangers are definately interested so I don't think that's false....but I don't know if anything is remotely close to being done.
I don't know the Rangers cap numbers but I'd think they'd certainly have to move someone to make room.....unless they just plan on demoting a large salary to the minors...and with their money, it's possible.
So Eklund thinks Kessel is talking to the Rangers, Dominic Moore as well.
I have an e5 that Eklund is really good at falsifying posts about Kessel.
Crap, I can't believe you made me click on an Eklund link!!! I hate when I am not paying attention and do something that is so entirely against my principles.
Dom was with the Rangers a few years back. Might not be a bad place for him to sign this season.
So Eklund thinks Kessel is talking to the Rangers, Dominic Moore as well.
I have an e5 that Eklund is really good at falsifying posts about Kessel.
Actually there is truth to the Eklund speculation.
Darren Dreger on Leafs Lunch today mentioned that Chiarelli had talks with Sather yesterday and Boston GM asked for Brandon Dubinsky (also and RFA) in a trade for Kessel.. According to Dreger, Glen Sather at this point is not willing to part with Dubinsky preferring to keep him instead.
Dominic Moore was a guest on Leafs Lunch yesterday and claimed he has a few feelers he is considering as options of which NYR could apply.. Dreger said today that Sather wants to send a message to Dubinsky who is holding out for more $$$ that you don't mess with the New York Rangers. Signing Moore to fill Dubinsky center spot does make some sense, as he was a former NYR a few seasons ago.
Actually there is truth to the Eklund speculation.
Darren Dreger on Leafs Lunch today mentioned that Chiarelli had talks with Sather yesterday and Boston GM asked for Brandon Dubinsky (also and RFA) in a trade for Kessel.. According to Dreger Sather at this point is not willing to part with Dubinsky preferring to keep him instead.
Dominic Moore was a guest on Leafs Lunch yesterday and claimed he has a few feelers he is considering as options of which NYR could apply.. Dreger said today that Sather wants to send a message to Dubinsky who is holding out for more $$$ that you don't mess with the New York Rangers. Signing Moore to fill Dubinsky center spot does make some sense, as he was a former NYR a few seasons ago.
Thats not really Eklund speculating though I suppose? I just put it up because Eklund suggesting it usually makes it not happen and I want Kessel on the Leafs.
He produced 13 points in 19 games after the Moore trade, so I'm thinking yes.
Blake is also already 36 and father time creeps up on all players and Jason is already getting into borrowed time in terms of average NHL age and longevity is concerned, and among a fairly small group of 10-15% still active and productive. Some players hit that age barrier pretty hard and see a very quick drop off in their performance after age 35.
In fact the CBA even acknowledges that well known historically proven fact of rapid decline and has special rules and clauses built into the new CBA specifically for players over that age.
NHL is still a young players game and the Salary Cap World promotes young players on cheap contracts to offset your Stars big $$ contracts. The NHL is very unforgiving to older players when their performance drops off and waste no time buying out or replacing them from within.
Blake is also already 36 and father time creeps up on all players and Jason is already getting into borrowed time in terms of average NHL age and longevity is concerned, and among a fairly small group of 10-15% still active and productive. Some players hit that age barrier pretty hard and see a very quick drop off in their performance after age 35.
In fact the CBA even acknowledges that well known historically proven fact of rapid decline and has special rules and clauses built into the new CBA specifically for players over that age.
NHL is still a young players game and the Salary Cap World promotes young players on cheap contracts to offset your Stars big $$ contracts. The NHL is very unforgiving to older players when their performance drops off and waste no time buying out or replacing them from within.
Yet you failed to mention that he has had a short career relative to his age, with much less wear and tear than others in his age group. JFJ also signed him at an age where he cannot retire and the Leafs take the cap hit if he chooses to do so. No love for Blake; all the guy does in produce and give his all every shift. Chelios, JR, Lidstrom, Neds and many many others have proven your "NHL is a young mans game" theory wrong.
Blake is also already 36 and father time creeps up on all players and Jason is already getting into borrowed time in terms of average NHL age and longevity is concerned, and among a fairly small group of 10-15% still active and productive. Some players hit that age barrier pretty hard and see a very quick drop off in their performance after age 35.
In fact the CBA even acknowledges that well known historically proven fact of rapid decline and has special rules and clauses built into the new CBA specifically for players over that age.
NHL is still a young players game and the Salary Cap World promotes young players on cheap contracts to offset your Stars big $$ contracts. The NHL is very unforgiving to older players when their performance drops off and waste no time buying out or replacing them from within.
In reality the trend has been over recent history to players playing longer than before due to improvements in health and fitness. It is the fringe players that suffer due to the cap requiring lower salaried players in supporting roles.
So: 0.85 points per game with Moore, and 0.68 points per game without.
Pretty big drop.
Dominic Moore had double the points last season in 63 games than he did in any season before and the Leafs turned that into a 2nd round pick. Thank Jason Blake.
So: 0.85 points per game with Moore, and 0.68 points per game without.
Pretty big drop.
Not only that but in the last dozen games of a Leafs season post trade deadline in the past, where the playoffs are all but gone, have seen many Leafs put on their best last season points bursts.
When the pressure of winning is off and its simply pond hockey to complete the year, stats padding is very common among Leaf players in the past.
We have all see Kubina and many others elevate their games during this time, that always left us asking where was that effort when it really mattered.. Heck Boyd Devereaux is popping hattricks in game #82 and hasn't even gotten an NHL training camp invites sniff despite that offensive outburst.
So late season stats (sample data set) need to be taken with a grain of salt in light of that situation, and its common practice on many bad non playoffs teams to have players padding their own personal stats when wins and losses no longer are a concern. Blake's ppg stats still fell off to his earlier pace despite this anomaly.
Not only that but in the last dozen games of a Leafs season post trade deadline in the past, where the playoffs are all but gone, have seen many Leafs put on their best last season points bursts.
When the pressure of winning is off and its simply pond hockey to complete the year, stats padding is very common among Leaf players in the past.
We have all see Kubina and many others elevate their games during this time, that always left us asking where was that effort when it really mattered.. Heck Boyd Devereaux is popping hattricks in game #82 and hasn't even gotten an NHL training camp invites sniff despite that offensive outburst.
So late season stats (sample data set) need to be taken with a grain of salt in light of that situation, and its common practice on many bad non playoffs teams to have players padding their own personal stats when wins and losses no longer are a concern. Blake's ppg stats still fell off to his earlier pace despite this anomaly.
Then why were we reminded incessantly of Brad Boyes stats over the years as he racked up points on non-playoff teams since he played his first post-season game a few months ago?
Yet you failed to mention that he has had a short career relative to his age, with much less wear and tear than others in his age group. JFJ also signed him at an age where he cannot retire and the Leafs take the cap hit if he chooses to do so. No love for Blake; all the guy does in produce and give his all every shift. Chelios, JR, Lidstrom, Neds and many many others have proven your "NHL is a young mans game" theory wrong.
Naming 4 exceptions (usually contained to star players) of which 2 of 4 named are all but retired among a league of 800 players does not provide a significant rebuttal to its "a young man's game".
I guesstimated that Blake at age 36 is already in a 10-15% small group still playing beyond that age and that might be high even.
How many of the NHL 800 odd players do you think are age 36 and beyond? Blake is the oldest Leaf player so all of Leafs entire 60 player training camp roster is already beneath him in age.
