Trade Rumors and Free Agent TalkTrade rumors, transactions, and free agent talk. Rumors must contain the word RUMOR in post title. Proposals must contain the word PROPOSAL in post title.
If by trade deadline next year they're still a playoff team I'm almost positive they shop him, hope to have a solid return, nothing as much as they paid though and turn the page.
The guy just does not have a winning attitude or any leadership trait, he needs to go to a team where he won't have media pressure and a team where he will only be relied on to score and nothing more.
I'm hoping Nonis is open to all and any solutions that will fix what i consider a team with no identity. The way the Leafs are currently constructed there is too great a variety of playing styles. You always need a mixture of course but generally its to compliment the "personality/culture" of the main body of players as opposed to making up the majority as is the case in Toronto. Nonis has to set the direction and commence acquiring the players to suit it. That won't happen quickly but its an absolute must for his team.
Depending on the direction Nonis steers the Leafs i'll certainly understand if he doesn't love the idea of Kessel leading the charge.
If by trade deadline next year they're still a playoff team I'm almost positive they shop him, hope to have a solid return, nothing as much as they paid though and turn the page.
The guy just does not have a winning attitude or any leadership trait, he needs to go to a team where he won't have media pressure and a team where he will only be relied on to score and nothing more.
I don't know about that, just because he isn't a really extroverted guy doesn't mean he doesn't have the right attitude. If everyone on the team was a big personality who tried to take control it would probably lead to conflict and divide the locker room. Kessel isn't a vocal leader and that is fine, he let's his play do the talking.
The problem is that Toronto is trying to use him as their franchise player but he is really more if a complementary piece when it comes to a championship team. If Toronto doesn't have a number one centre by the time he hits free agency he should go someplace that does.
So what are the odds that Phil decides to pack his bag and leaves Toronto if the team fails to succeed in the next year and a half?
I think that if the coach lets Kessel play the way he wants, he will re-sign. If the coach wants him to play defense like Claude Julien did, then there is a good chance that he is gone in my opinion.
He's publically called out both coaches in Toronto, He once said that he and wilson don't talk and that maybe it was time for a change, and in the short time he's played for caryle he voiced his displeasure in the practices. Specifically saying he didn't like stretching :,(
When speaking about caryle, nonis said that some players didn't fit into caryles tough playing style, and that caryle pushes the envelope with his players, gets them out of there comfort zone.
Id say this is a disaster waiting to happen, and win or lose, kessel will walk if he's not a fan of the coach. Which as previously stated, is likely.
I say trade him while the dollar is high.
Out with the characters, in with players with character.
If by trade deadline next year they're still a playoff team I'm almost positive they shop him, hope to have a solid return, nothing as much as they paid though and turn the page.
The guy just does not have a winning attitude or any leadership trait, he needs to go to a team where he won't have media pressure and a team where he will only be relied on to score and nothing more.
CBC did a feature on him and he said multiple times that winning is his priority, doesn't care about how many points he puts up he just wants to win.
They can't move him after what they gave up. He can be a nice piece on a winning team just not the centrepiece. You can't build a winning team around a small, soft, perimeter scorer no matter how nice his shot is. They have to keep him and add some real first line talent, if they trade him everything gets set back again.
I think he will leave Toronto. The guy seems SOOO uncomfortable around the media and was criticised so much, why stay there? I could see him signing with a team who is not as exposed to the media but on the way up. Teams coming to mind would be Columbus, Phoenix, Colorado, Nashville, St.Louis or (if we aren't able to re-sign Perry) Anaheim.
