Rick Nash potentially available

[Tigger]

I think the Leafs can afford to add a Nash and still make things work to land a Suter if available.

20 man roster, eeeee

The CBA impact is something that makes me really wonder about any benefits the Leafs might enjoy towards a balanced cap and how the GM's are trying to base their predictions to that end.

 

[maplesyrup]

Ideally we get a Ryan or Carter (I've warmed a lot on this idea)

Yeah, Ryan is probably the safer choice than Nash (for cap reasons) but I'd be shocked if the Ducks moved him. Carter really does fill a position of need rather nicely though. Again, he's only owed 7 mil. (total) during the last 3 years of that 10 year deal and the cap number is quite good. 

 

[Corn Flake]

I think the Leafs can afford to add a Nash and still make things work to land a Suter if available.

20 man roster, eeeee

The CBA impact is something that makes me really wonder about any benefits the Leafs might enjoy towards a balanced cap and how the GM's are trying to base their predictions to that end.

But like I said, I still had 2-3 $3-4 mil contracts that at least one could be moved.

 

[Tigger]

I think the Leafs can afford to add a Nash and still make things work to land a Suter if available.

20 man roster, eeeee

The CBA impact is something that makes me really wonder about any benefits the Leafs might enjoy towards a balanced cap and how the GM's are trying to base their predictions to that end.

But like I said, I still had 2-3 $3-4 mil contracts that at least one could be moved.

No, I know, Schenn and Army probably and I was trying to think of some support for it considering what benefits the Leafs might get from the CBA too.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

10 year contract be darned, I think while not as good a player in the "elite" sense, Jeff Carter is the better cap hit/talent cost for production by a mile.

It's not even really close. 5.2 Cap hit for a player that's average 60pts an 82 game season vs 7.8 (is it really that high?) for a player that's averaged 66pts an 82 game season.

They're both talented players, and they'll both be given all kinds of opportunity to succeed here in Toronto. An extra 2.5M per and and extra 1st rounder and/or Gardiner/Colborne being part of the deal just isn't worth it.

 

[Leafaholic99]

Nash won't be a Leaf, years of experiencing deadlines/free agency, you just know. If they do by chance trade for him, it will be an over payment and they Leafs aren't in the position to make a trade of that magnitude, maybe if they were a contendor.

Let the Rangers overpay, or Kings, stay away Burke, keep our first and prospects.

 

[Corn Flake]

I caught Eric Francis babbling on this morning about how he is convinced that Jeff Carter will end up with the Kings.  He thinks they will for sure get one of Carter or Nash, Carter being more likely due to contract size.  Would re-unite Carter with Richards, might get them both going offensively.

After thinking about this, I'm not sure Carter's value is much lower than Nash.

 

[Corn Flake]

I think the Leafs can afford to add a Nash and still make things work to land a Suter if available.

20 man roster, eeeee

The CBA impact is something that makes me really wonder about any benefits the Leafs might enjoy towards a balanced cap and how the GM's are trying to base their predictions to that end.

But like I said, I still had 2-3 $3-4 mil contracts that at least one could be moved.

No, I know, Schenn and Army probably and I was trying to think of some support for it considering what benefits the Leafs might get from the CBA too.

My guess would be if this deal even happened, Schenn would go, shaving off his contract from the roster.  Army likely stays anyway. 

So if Burke moves Schenn and one of his small collection of burdensome contracts (Connolly, Lombardi or Komi) then he creates the room he needs to take on the Nash deal. If he can move the other two in the off season, he's got the wiggle room to make one more big contract move and still fill out the roster.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Are we suggesting dealing for Suter now and taking our chances leading into July 1? - Because personally, that's something I'm prepared to do. I'd also be prepared to trade Grabo to get some assets back that we'd lose in the Suter deal.

I'm not, no.

If I thought Nashville would move him (and I don't think they will) I'd do it, though I know the odds would be against me that he's re-sign. Reckless? Perhaps. Bold? Certainly.

The Predators may still find a way to keep both Suter and Weber.  Any team that is serious about improing itself further would not let go or trade away two of their absolute best backliners. 

From a cap standpoint, and in terms of affordability, it may make sense to not keep either of the two or both, but,  from the standpoint of competitiveness and stability (in the defence department), it certainly does.

 

[maplesyrup]

The Predators may still find a way to keep both Suter and Weber. 

I'm fairly certain they will... at least until the summer.

 

[bustaheims]

Yeah, Ryan is probably the safer choice than Nash (for cap reasons) but I'd be shocked if the Ducks moved him. Carter really does fill a position of need rather nicely though. Again, he's only owed 7 mil. (total) during the last 3 years of that 10 year deal and the cap number is quite good.

Honestly, in terms of a trade being made before the deadline, I think Ryan might be more likely to move than either Nash or Carter. That being said, I don't think any of them go anywhere until the summer.

 

[maplesyrup]

Yeah, Ryan is probably the safer choice than Nash (for cap reasons) but I'd be shocked if the Ducks moved him. Carter really does fill a position of need rather nicely though. Again, he's only owed 7 mil. (total) during the last 3 years of that 10 year deal and the cap number is quite good.

Honestly, in terms of a trade being made before the deadline, I think Ryan might be more likely to move than either Nash or Carter. That being said, I don't think any of them go anywhere until the summer.

I'll go a step further and say there's a solid chance Ryan and Nash are exactly where they are now come opening night next year. Carter? I think he's a goner (at some point) but who knows?

 

[Zee]

Man McLean on hockeycentral is an idiot.  He thinks Rick Nash is worth anyone on the Leafs roster, said he would trade Kessel for him. 

Yeah Kessel 24 years old, top 5 in scoring, always gets minimum 30 goals a year but you're gonna take Nash who has proven he can't produce if he has no linemates to play with.  How many points would Nash have with Bozak as his center?  I guess the Leafs have way more talent then Columbus since Kessel is able to perform well and Nash isn't.

 

[Erndog]

but you're gonna take Nash who has proven he can't produce if he has no linemates to play with.  How many points would Nash have with Bozak as his center? 

Wait.... what?

Everyone says Nash has proven he CAN produce without linemates.  In fact, thats the main argument... who has he ever really played with in Columbus?  Huselius?  Vyborny?  Umberger? 


I totally agree with your point though.  Kessel is 3-4 years younger, and $2.5M cheaper, and produces about the same offensively.  They both, however, have proved they can do that regardless of their linemates.

 

[Zee]

but you're gonna take Nash who has proven he can't produce if he has no linemates to play with.  How many points would Nash have with Bozak as his center? 

Wait.... what?

Everyone says Nash has proven he CAN produce without linemates.  In fact, thats the main argument... who has he ever really played with in Columbus?  Huselius?  Vyborny?  Umberger? 


I totally agree with your point though.  Kessel is 3-4 years younger, and $2.5M cheaper, and produces about the same offensively.  They both, however, have proved they can do that regardless of their linemates.

If you call 65-70 points at his cap hit "producing", then sure.  The money he's making he should be getting 90-100 points.

 

[maplesyrup]

I don't think MacLean is crazy (in this case.) Not that I believe Kessel is going to be traded for Nash but if the opportunity presented itself to do a 1 for 1, I'd do it because I think Nash is just the better player. Nash is what? Only 3 years older? No disrespect to Kessel but Nash is just the bigger, more complete player.

 

[Corn Flake]

Man McLean on hockeycentral is an idiot.  He thinks Rick Nash is worth anyone on the Leafs roster, said he would trade Kessel for him. 

Yeah Kessel 24 years old, top 5 in scoring, always gets minimum 30 goals a year but you're gonna take Nash who has proven he can't produce if he has no linemates to play with.  How many points would Nash have with Bozak as his center?  I guess the Leafs have way more talent then Columbus since Kessel is able to perform well and Nash isn't.

Nash is the only thing McLean can hang his hat on from his entire tenure as an NHL GM.  If he is going to overvalue any player on earth, its Nash.

That said, I think Nash for Kessel is ballpark even, although it makes zero sense for either team to do that.

 

[Zee]

I don't think MacLean is crazy (in this case.) Not that I believe Kessel is going to be traded for Nash but if the opportunity presented itself to do a 1 for 1, I'd do it because I think Nash is just the better player. Nash is what? Only 3 years older? No disrespect to Kessel but Nash is just the bigger, more complete player.

Nash is living off his name and draft position at this point.  He's supposedly a bona fide superstar, let's see him prove it.  28 years old, he should be at the peak of his potential RIGHT NOW. Kessel hasn't even hit his peak yet at 24-25.

Like someone else mentioned though, even if you consider the deal even, it makes zero sense for the Leafs to remove Kessel off the top line and put Nash in.  How does that put the team further ahead?  You take away your top scorer and *hope* that Nash becomes your top scorer which is no guarantee.

 

[maplesyrup]

I don't think MacLean is crazy (in this case.) Not that I believe Kessel is going to be traded for Nash but if the opportunity presented itself to do a 1 for 1, I'd do it because I think Nash is just the better player. Nash is what? Only 3 years older? No disrespect to Kessel but Nash is just the bigger, more complete player.

Nash is living off his name and draft position at this point.  He's supposedly a bona fide superstar, let's see him prove it.  28 years old, he should be at the peak of his potential RIGHT NOW. Kessel hasn't even hit his peak yet at 24-25.

Like someone else mentioned though, even if you consider the deal even, it makes zero sense for the Leafs to remove Kessel off the top line and put Nash in.  How does that put the team further ahead?  You take away your top scorer and *hope* that Nash becomes your top scorer which is no guarantee.

It does make zero sense for both teams but to be honest with you, if both were UFAs, Kessel would be my second choice (and really not a bad one.) Nash is a career .81 pts. per game player, while Kessel is a full ten points behind. If we were going to lay out all the qualities that make up a great hockey player, Kessel likely beats out Nash in speed only. - Unless I'm missing something. Moreover, I think BOTH players have ample room to get better.

 

[Zee]

I don't think MacLean is crazy (in this case.) Not that I believe Kessel is going to be traded for Nash but if the opportunity presented itself to do a 1 for 1, I'd do it because I think Nash is just the better player. Nash is what? Only 3 years older? No disrespect to Kessel but Nash is just the bigger, more complete player.

Nash is living off his name and draft position at this point.  He's supposedly a bona fide superstar, let's see him prove it.  28 years old, he should be at the peak of his potential RIGHT NOW. Kessel hasn't even hit his peak yet at 24-25.

Like someone else mentioned though, even if you consider the deal even, it makes zero sense for the Leafs to remove Kessel off the top line and put Nash in.  How does that put the team further ahead?  You take away your top scorer and *hope* that Nash becomes your top scorer which is no guarantee.

It does make zero sense for both teams but to be honest with you, if both were UFAs, Kessel would be my second choice (and really not a bad one.) Nash is a career .81 pts. per game player, while Kessel is a full ten points behind. If we were going to lay out all the qualities that make up a great hockey player, Kessel likely beats out Nash in speed only. - Unless I'm missing something. Moreover, I think BOTH players have ample room to get better.

Kessel is the younger player and is just starting to reach his full potential. It's worth noting since you mentioned the points per game average that in the last THREE SEASONS:

Kessel .86 points/game
Nash .81 points/game

I'd say Kessel is starting to show he can be a premier player in the league, and Nash, at an older age, is no further ahead right now.