Leafs-Bruins trade for Phil Kessel, sign for $27m over 5 years
 

Hrmmmmmm.

At first it seemed two first round picks and a second round pick was overpayment, especially since Kessel basically demanded a trade as the Bruins couldn't afford to keep him with their cap situation.

However now that I thought about it a bit, I think it makes a lot of sense. Kessel was the 5th overall pick first round in 2006, and scored 36 goals last year. Not all draft picks do well in the NHL, and he's over-achieved already. The leafs will probably finish middle of the pack, and certainly won't be picking 5th in the draft, likely 15th or worse. Plus, most draft picks out of the top few spots don't play immediately and take a year or two to develop in the minors.

So to me I think we came out pretty good. Only time will tell what those picks turn out like for Boston, but I think Toronto used them well at this point. We get a proven 5th pick from 2006 who is 21 years old for an unproven 15th+ pick in 2010, a second rounder, and another 15+ pick in 2011. Pretty good deal I think, and we got to keep Kaberle.

Thoughts?

Will be interesting to see what he can do without Savard...

Should be interesting how the leafs fair in the next two years

Now we need a top notch center to pass the puck to him. But i think it was a decent deal for both parties.. hopefully he can take the pressure here and be the man!

Agreed. They'll need a centre now more than ever.

Dougy Gilmore will be back, no worries.

Next Gretzky

Leaf fans are idiots, i saw alot of them bitching about this trade comparing it to past Leaf management who traded away first rounders and ended up with nothing, trading for an average even at the time defenceman Tom Kurvers in the year when Eric Lindros was available in the draft, the Leafs were as usual tumbling towards the bottom of the league and freaking out that they might forever be known as the franchise that traded Eric Lindros for Tom Kurvers so they followed that dumb deal with some more dumb deals to cover their asses.

It's a good deal for the Leafs and the Bruins, first round picks after the first 5 are no sure thing at all, even top 5 aren't, in fact the stats on first round picks who ever get a second NHL contract are suprisingly low. Even if the two picks turned into decent NHL players one day, they would still need 2-3 years of development. Kessel is young and has already proven he can play in the NHL and *might* be a future star. The only way the deal will ever look bad is if one of those draft picks turns into a superstar and Kessel never scores 30 goals again. Bruins couldn't afford him and got very good value. Looks like a win/win deal.

Interesting to watch Burke put an American stamp on the Leafs. Beats a European stamp in my books. Burke will rebuild the Leafs quickly into a good team. I'd like to see them do well if not for the pathetic fans.

The Leafs traded 2 first round picks for this American player? Great to see that they like not making the playoffs. Bold strategy, but who am I to judge?

I am impressed with their rebuilding efforts. This new big, tough Anaheim-like team won't be bottom barrel anymore.

Until they realize that they don't have any draft picks left.