His cap number is $7 million. Fernandez goes off the books at $4m plus and the Murray buyout also goes off the books (somewhere in the $1.3m neighborhood). The B's can afford him and I don't think Montreal has the talent to give up.
It's clear that our centers are too small to match up with bigger centers in the league (like Staal). It's no secret that Tampa Bay will deal Lecavalier - he makes too much for them. I say the Bruins go after him... a package with Kessel goes to Tampa. Vinny is only 29 and would be a stud on this team.
I would honestly keep Kessel, I don't think the Bruins are in desperate need of a center. Trading young proven talent for a good(almost) elite center isn't a good idea. I could see Kessel racking up 70-80pts next year. Marc Savard is one of the best centers in the league an d Krejci has shown what he was capable of. The Bruins success relied on their depth, getting Lecavalier will unfortunately take away some depth. I mean, when you guys played this year, unexpected forwards(and even D's) came out to score huge goals when the prime ones couldn't do anything. Lecavalier comes with a big ''I'm the best center on my team'' sig, so obviously, he'll get much more ice time, more minutes and the team might rely on him too much if you get him. I think the Bruins need a legit number one goalie who can give it in the season and playoffs. Tim Thomas was amazing, but I doubt he'll do the same next season. Just giving my two cents.
A D wouldn't hurt either, but a center? You know your depth at the center is there when Bergeron is on your third line.
Okay first off the Murray buyout doesnt come off till next season. TT took most of the money comming off from Manny. Not to mention the need to sign Kess and Krejci. We will have no cap room to work out a deal for Vinny without severly weakening our depth which I think most would agree was our biggest strength this year.
But Bergeron hasn't produced all year and Kessel is having another disappearing act this year. Savard has been brutal in this series. So I wouldn't say the team was deep at a center when it comes to a playoff run. If I need a 3 point night against Atlanta, I'll turn to Kessel
you know, kpd was preaching this point during the season and i disagreed with it and i stand by my feeling at the time. We would have gotten fleeced if we had traded for Vinny during the season. However in the off-season it might be doable. This series watching Staal has made me realize just how important it can be to have that one elite player who rises to the occasion. Chara doesn't appear to be quite at that level and neither does Kessel. I think Savard has actually been quite good but has had very little help, so I'd hate to see him go, but on the other hand if you go after Vinny you have to send at least one of Savard or Bergeron the other way. Krejci should not be moved IMO and is already a better player than Kessel.
But Bergeron hasn't produced all year and Kessel is having another disappearing act this year. Savard has been brutal in this series. So I wouldn't say the team was deep at a center when it comes to a playoff run. If I need a 3 point night against Atlanta, I'll turn to Kessel
I recall Kessel playing rather well in 07-08 vs the Habs...
His cap number is $7 million. Fernandez goes off the books at $4m plus and the Murray buyout also goes off the books (somewhere in the $1.3m neighborhood). The B's can afford him and I don't think Montreal has the talent to give up.
It's clear that our centers are too small to match up with bigger centers in the league (like Staal). It's no secret that Tampa Bay will deal Lecavalier - he makes too much for them. I say the Bruins go after him... a package with Kessel goes to Tampa. Vinny is only 29 and would be a stud on this team.
What say you?
yeah ok there Schmautzie. The Habs are ranked 8th and you are ranked 5th so please do some research before saying these things.
Strengths: Despite on-ice success in recent years, the Canadiens still host a deep, talented prospect pool. They have a plethora of valuable blueliners that cover many different roles. Offensive-minded players like P.K. Subban, Yannick Weber and Mathieu Carle are complimented well with physical defensive players like Ryan O'Byrne, Alexei Yemelin and Pavel Valtenko. Don't forget the next big thing on the Montreal blueline: Ryan McDonagh. They still possess a fairly strong group of forwards, despite recent graduations. Maxwell and Chipchura are the organization's top two-way centers, while Max Pacioretty made his mark as a talented power forward who is progressing quickly. Weaknesses: The forward depth, while not awful, has taken some big losses, even if Danny Kristo becomes the sniper he's projected to be. Despite a deep defense, the huge stalwart that eats minutes isn't really there. There aren't many prominent world-beaters, in terms of speed, left in the organization. Top five prospects: 1. Ryan McDonagh, D, 2. Max Pacioretty, LW, 3. Ryan O'Byrne, D, 4. Jaroslav Halak, G, 5. Ben Maxwell, C. Key losses to graduation: Carey Price, Andrei Kostitsyn, Sergei Kostitsyn, Maxim Lapierre.
Hubs original offer of Kessel, Wheeler and two #1's looks pretty appetizing right now...
I doubt the Bruins go after him, although a deal revolving around Savard + may be the way to go...
That offer doesn't look so good to me...
Vinny is a great player but Wheeler could score 30 goals next year. Kessel will probably hit 40 if healthy.
Then to throw in 2 first round picks on top of that?
No thanks.
I'd rather go for Kaberle. I'm hoping the Bruins sign Nick Boynton. I love the way he plays the game and he can probably be had for less than his 2.95 current cap $. We need another decent right-side d-man that can move the puck.
Ding Ding Ding.
God could we use Hunwick right now.
I also agree.
What this series is exposing is the Bruins' lack of mobility on D. Right now we've got Chara, Ward, Stuart, and Hnidy playing substantial minutes, all of whom are pretty much stay-at-home defensemen without a ton of speed or transition in their game. Of these four only Chara has a dangerous point shot, and the Canes are not letting him get it on goal.
Wideman can play the transition game and has a good point shot, but if he's paired with a pylon it drags his play down as well and we see the defensive zone play going in reverse with increasingly dodgy D to D passing. Ference has mobility, but he was out with an injury during the first round, and it takes several games for him to get his legs back. Upon returning he was not playing well, and then he got injured again. Montador has been, in my opinion, a disappointing deadline acquisition. And the Bruins' best transition D man and second speediest skater is currently sans spleen.
So in the Bs' defensive zone the Canes' pressure (A two-, sometimes three-man forecheck) is hampering what little transition game the D has left. And without a transition game the gap between the forwards and the D is larger than Claude would like, meaning the forwards don't have reliable support at the point when they are in the offensive zone and can sustain pressure only erratically. The five-man unit has been reduced to a three-man unit, and this is why the shots on goal are so low.
What this series is exposing is the Bruins' lack of mobility on D. Right now we've got Chara, Ward, Stuart, and Hnidy playing substantial minutes, all of whom are pretty much stay-at-home defensemen without a ton of speed or transition in their game. Of these four only Chara has a dangerous point shot, and the Canes are not letting him get it on goal.
Wideman can play the transition game and has a good point shot, but if he's paired with a pylon it drags his play down as well and we see the defensive zone play going in reverse with increasingly dodgy D to D passing. Ference has mobility, but he was out with an injury during the first round, and it takes several games for him to get his legs back. Upon returning he was not playing well, and then he got injured again. Montador has been, in my opinion, a disappointing deadline acquisition. And the Bruins' best transition D man and second speediest skater is currently sans spleen.
So in the Bs' defensive zone the Canes' pressure (A two-, sometimes three-man forecheck) is hampering what little transition game the D has left. And without a transition game the gap between the forwards and the D is larger than Claude would like, meaning the forwards don't have reliable support at the point when they are in the offensive zone and can sustain pressure only erratically. The five-man unit has been reduced to a three-man unit, and this is why the shots on goal are so low.
You make several good points, however I saw at least a half dozen occasipns where Wideman & Montador easily could have started a transition attack but both chose to essentially stand still and pass to a winger covered by a pinching Dman. The d needs to start pinching and play aggresively in Carolina's end, otherwise they will not win more than 1 more game, guaranteed. TAo me thats a strategic coaching decision that must be made.
As far as trades, they would have to give up to much for VL. What are the UFA's at D and F next year? I know JayBo is there but who else. Maybe trade Wideman and go after JayBo. Trade Savard/pick and try to get a skilled good sized centerman? Not advocating it but thinking about the possibilities.
I would honestly keep Kessel, I don't think the Bruins are in desperate need of a center. Trading young proven talent for a good(almost) elite center isn't a good idea. I could see Kessel racking up 70-80pts next year. Marc Savard is one of the best centers in the league an d Krejci has shown what he was capable of. The Bruins success relied on their depth, getting Lecavalier will unfortunately take away some depth. I mean, when you guys played this year, unexpected forwards(and even D's) came out to score huge goals when the prime ones couldn't do anything. Lecavalier comes with a big ''I'm the best center on my team'' sig, so obviously, he'll get much more ice time, more minutes and the team might rely on him too much if you get him. I think the Bruins need a legit number one goalie who can give it in the season and playoffs. Tim Thomas was amazing, but I doubt he'll do the same next season. Just giving my two cents.
A D wouldn't hurt either, but a center? You know your depth at the center is there when Bergeron is on your third line.
Bergeron IS a third line center...playing more like a 4th line center...people need to stop thinking this guy is a 70-90 point player...he has looked awful ALL playoffs but since we beat the Habs so easily, nobody really noticed til now...stop thinking he is a first or second line center playing on the third line...he is a third line center, being paid top center money...hope we can dump him for anything in the offseason, even if it is only for the cap space to bring in some better D
I recall Kessel playing rather well in 07-08 vs the Habs...
Was that before or after he had the benching?
The kid has skills. To me, he's just doesn't have that grit (see: Joe Thornton). Like I said, it's one thing to have a hat trick against a terrible Islanders team in a meaningless game... but playoff hockey is a totally different animal. As much as I hate Staal, he's a gamer. I'd trade Kessel without a 2nd thought if it meant Vinny coming back the other way.
The kid has skills. To me, he's just doesn't have that grit (see: Joe Thornton). Like I said, it's one thing to have a hat trick against a terrible Islanders team in a meaningless game... but playoff hockey is a totally different animal. As much as I hate Staal, he's a gamer. I'd trade Kessel without a 2nd thought if it meant Vinny coming back the other way.
You and I know its going to cost you a lot more than Kessel for VL. They will probably demand Kessel-Wideman-1st rounder at least. That actually may work if you intend on going after JayBo.
not that getting a guy with a bum shoulder is a good idea (i know, my incredible hockey career such as it was has been derailed by that very joint and i still cannot move my right arm to shake hands), but am i the only person who gets a "mike cammalleri 2.0" vibe from kessel
not that getting a guy with a bum shoulder is a good idea (i know, my incredible hockey career such as it was has been derailed by that very joint and i still cannot move my right arm to shake hands), but am i the only person who gets a "mike cammalleri 2.0" vibe from kessel
i don't think kessel is the kind of player who will ever be able to battle through 4 rounds of playoff hockey and be a dominant first line player...good player, really good player, but not a playoff warrior...we need a guy who can point to his back and tell the rest of the team to climb on because he will carry them...we don't have a star player...chara is awesome and as close to it as we have, but up front we don't have any stars...i will say i think savard has really competed however and has done everything expected...bergeron, terrible...krejci, great at times, invisible other times...recchi, thanks for coming out...kobasew, hard worker, 3rd line checker...ryder, like him, but has not been able to battle through this...lucic, good, but not a dominant force out there like i expected (injury?)...wheeler, i feel like calling for bueller...bueller...bueller...i could go on but my anger is too much.
I think we need to wait and see on Kessel. There might be more to the story with him than we know right now (injuries). He has had a difficult physical campaign. It says something that Julien is not sitting him out. Suggests to me Kessel is doing what he can. Still, he is obviously not getting much done.
As always, I would trade Kessel... if there is some very worthwhile deal to execute. I would never trade him just because we're mad about this round. That's rash and how you make dumb trades. They'll deal him if there's a contract problem, a worthwhile return, or if he just does not fit the personality the team wants to build. But he's a top talent so let's not jettison that for emotional reasons.
Let's see what news comes out after the playoffs. Lucic too, something is not right with him, though he's playing okay.
I think we need to wait and see on Kessel. There might be more to the story with him than we know right now (injuries). He has had a difficult physical campaign. It says something that Julien is not sitting him out. Suggests to me Kessel is doing what he can. Still, he is obviously not getting much done.
As always, I would trade Kessel... if there is some very worthwhile deal to execute. I would never trade him just because we're mad about this round. That's rash and how you make dumb trades. They'll deal him if there's a contract problem, a worthwhile return, or if he just does not fit the personality the team wants to build. But he's a top talent so let's not jettison that for emotional reasons.
Let's see what news comes out after the playoffs. Lucic too, something is not right with him, though he's playing okay.
you can't hit what you can't consistently line-up and hammer.
I'd go after the 230pd mobile SHUT-DOWN stud Shea Weber. He would smack the yellow off Staal's teeth..... AND is the most clutch playoff performer I have ever seen in a Dman (going back to his Kelowna Rockets Memorial Cup runs).
I wanted to trade Bergeron for him back in 05, but now I would still do Bergeron + Kessel just to get it done (assuming Nashville would ever move him).
I'd go after the 230pd mobile SHUT-DOWN stud Shea Weber. He would smack the yellow off Staal's teeth..... AND is the most clutch playoff performer I have ever seen in a Dman (going back to his Kelowna Rockets Memorial Cup runs).
I wanted to trade Bergeron for him back in 05, but now I would still do Bergeron + Kessel just to get it done (assuming Nashville would ever move him).
Why would I ever do this if I'm Nashville? Bergeron looks like he will literally be half the player offensively he was before and Kessel is still a question mark on what he can do in the playoffs. Sorry Colt can't see this happening.
yeah ok there Schmautzie. The Habs are ranked 8th and you are ranked 5th so please do some research before saying these things.
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