Heatley a Shark - Kessel a Leaf: Good Deals or Bad?

by Bob Wage on Sep 21, 2009 2:30 PM EDT

Two major trades were completed within the past few days and I've gotten a couple of emails asking for my opinion about them.

Earlier this summer, Dany "Drama" Heatley demanded a trade out of Ottawa, refused a subsequent deal to Edmonton, (with his no trade clause), and after a plethora of crazy rumors ended up being traded to San Jose for Jonathan Cheechoo, Milan Michalek, and a second round draft choice. (Ottawa also threw in a fifth rounder). Good deal or bad?

I think Ottawa got as much as they could for the malcontent. Cheechoo will probably never return to his 56 goal form, but he could still put in 20-30. Michalek is a slick young player with consistency problems. He might turn out to be a very good player.

Heatley will probably light up the Western Conference with goals galore in the regular season, but don't expect the Sharks to win an extra playoff series as a result of his grit or determination. They still look like a "one and done" team to me.

This is probably an even deal for both sides.

The Boston Bruins had no room in their salary cap to sign Phil Kessel, even at half the price that he ended up signing for with the Leafs. (27 million for 5 years). They were almost in a position where they had to trade him. The Leafs needed skill and scoring, but at what price? Toronto GM Brian Burke traded two first round picks and a second rounder for the potential superstar. (Note how I said "potential".) Good deal or bad?

I think Toronto overpaid. Once again, they sold their future for a chance at the present. (For a franchise that has attempted this over and over again and came up shooting blanks, you might think they would learn?) One might argue, Kessel is young, he might get 36 goals a year for a very long time. Maybe and maybe not.

At best, he's a one dimensional player. He's not an assist guy and is not known for his defense. He's not necessarily known for being a good locker room presence either. He's a sniper, period.

The American has played in the NHL for three seasons and averaged 22 goals per. Will he get 36 again this year? It's not going to be easy, not without the help of Marc Savard, (63 assists), and David Krejci, (51 assists). This contract smells a lot like the Jason Blake deal, which most fans would say was a stinko so far for the Leafs.

In the meantime, Boston could end up with two Kessels, with their prime picks.

Also, Kessel is known to be somewhat moody. Will he be able to succeed in the pressure cooker also known as the center of the hockey universe? This blogger has his doubts.

What do you think?

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Comments

What I don’t understand is tif the Leafs had got the offer sheet a touch lower, the compensation would’ve been a first, second and third next year instead of the two firsts and a second they paid.

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by Cory Lavalette on Sep 21, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

Brian Burke would’ve had to have a press conference admonishing himself for signing a player to an offer sheet though.

by Iggy Reilly on Sep 21, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Then again...

They at least get to spread out the hit a little more in the deal they worked out. Having a fourth-rounder as your #1 might be pretty tough to explain .

Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt

by MichaelProcton on Sep 21, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Boston...

Came out on top I think of both these trades. I really don’t get the Leafs, you can’t rebuild a team when you sell all your building blocks. They gave away three good picks for a top-six forward and one that seems to have some consistency issues year to year. This deal was great to Boston. They saved their cap this year and have enough to build up in their system for a few years. Odds are one of those picks are going to be an equal trade for Kessel, but that’s pretty conservative guess-wise. I’m just glad I’m not a Leafs fan because I’d be screaming at my monitor.

by rubyhawk on Sep 21, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

One of those draftees might end up being something...

But if you look at the history of the NHL draft, it’s hard to say it’s an odds-on lock.

Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt

by MichaelProcton on Sep 21, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Plus with TO doing the drafting, they were all three sure to be busts.

by Iggy Reilly on Sep 21, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Those draft picks are so crucial for BO with their cap issues. They’ll be in good hands with :sigh: Boston. Plus Toronto will tank which means they’ll be even better. But with three picks I don’t have any worry that BO got a Kessel back. But thankfully, that’s the future and we look pretty good going into this season.

by rubyhawk on Sep 21, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

It seems like Boston has let alot of there team go this off season. Well be interesting to see what they have this year because it is definitely a diff. team (hopefully not as good).

by canescup on Sep 21, 2009 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

I’m right with you, Bob. Boston came out of this a steal, in my mind. Although from the sounds of Ott inverviews Heatley needed to go and getting two young top 6 guys is better than still having Heater on the team. Kessel’s a good young player but he needs a top-rate feeder – not sure TO has that. No, actually, I’m pretty sure TO doesn’t have that.
Regardless of offersheet semantics, you have have to hand it to the CBA – it definately protected Boston’s talent choice. I’d see this happen to any team regardless of player. Heck, you see the CBA siding with the Canes in the Babchuk drama and we can all appreciate that. The only catch here would be if TO does very well the next couple years (which isn’t very likely), then the draft picks they gave up become soft.

by Caniac1026 on Sep 21, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

I just have one question about this and it is very important:

What is wrong with Heatley’s eyes in that pic? Looks a little creepy.

In all seriousness at least ottawa got rid of him before he became a cancer there. As for Toronto, I think they screwed themselves in this deal. Few players are worth two 1st and one 2nd rounder, and Kessel isn’t one of them.

Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader

by Ivan459 on Sep 21, 2009 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

He’s got one pupil that’s constantly dilated. Now whether that’s from some sort of accident or something he was born with, I can’t stay – I’ve never seen a picture close enough to tell. If it’s it’s a jagged / non-uniform / gross looking pupil, it’s likely from a surgery. I’ll say this this though: I never really noticed the funky eye until he came to Ottawa after his accident that killed Snider.

http://beyondbeleaf.blogspot.com/

by BeyondBeleaf on Sep 21, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Healty' eye

The pupil is constantly dilated from an injury he received while playing for Bern during the lockout. He was hit in the eye with a puck, and also broke his orbital bone, which required surgery.

by RepentTokyo on Sep 22, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions