If the Leafs could trade Kessel straight up for Seguin today...

[ross10019]

Remnants of the separate discussion regarding Kaberle's worth...

I intentionally made it "should the Leafs do it" instead of "would the Leafs do it".

[joos]

I answered it as "would the leafs do it" ... aka they would keep Kessel.

At this point, they probably want Kessel more than Seguin... considering they now have 2 top-end center prospects.

But again, the issue will already remain... they SHOULDNT have traded their 2 1st rounders...

[4T2]

I'm a firm believer that you have to take the proven guy over the potential. That being said, I believe Seguin has a far-higher ceiling than Kessel does.

Sure, Seguin didn't have a great rookie year, but he wasn't getting a lot of ice time from the Bruins. This is because Boston didn't really need him due to their depth. They are being extremely patient with him and it will pay off in the end.

Kessel could pot 40-goals every year for the foreseeable future. It is doubtful that he will. He will have ups and downs for sure. He doesn't have the heart to perform consistently like that every year.

I think the Leafs would be foolish to trade Kessel for Seguin straight-up right now, as would any fantasy GM. But as I said, give me the proven commodity every time. I believe that Seguin will be a far better player than Phil someday, but the onus is on Tyler to prove me right.

[Dean Youngblood]

Better question:

Would/should the Bruins trade Seguin straight up for Kessel?



Personally, I am not sold on Seguin. Never have been.

[jayz16]

Fair enough assessments by joos and 4t2...

Should the Leafs do it now? No... Like mentioned above, Kessel has proven he's capable of 30-40 goals and is young.

Would they do it now? No... They've acquired a project center with some good upside (not Seguin upside but decent). Kadri seems like he'll stick as winger.

Should they have made the trade? Well, I don't think it was a good trade to make at the time and think that a deep pool of prospects, including Knight, Seguin, Kadri, Colborne, Gardiner, Blacker and potentially Strome/Murphy would have better served them in building the team to contention.

But alas, need not fret my Leaf Brethren. I have taken it upon myself to make sure that we don't lose the Kessel trade by acquiring Seguin this past season. On my fantasy team, being freshly acquired doesn't bode well for the player. I acquired Perron right before his concussion, Markov before his knees became jelly and Malkin before his knees tore like loose-leafs.

So with Seguin sitting securely on my team, he naturally won't amount to much. You're welcome Burkie...

[little_boyes_semin]

Personally, I am not sold on Seguin. Never have been.

That's pretty obvious, given that no one is sold on him at this point.

[ross10019]

Better question:

Would/should the Bruins trade Seguin straight up for Kessel?

I don't get it Dean, that is the exact question I asked, should they do a straight-up deal (not should they "undo" the Burke trade if they had the chance).

Anyway, i'm somewhat flabbergasted at this response to the poll, but I guess there are more people who value proven over potential than I thought. With the way Seguin carried himself through the whole Tyler v Taylor pre-draft thing and how hard he worked in training camp, I just see him as a future superstar AND Captain-material, there is no way Kessel will ever be that type of player and so that is what decides it for me. I just figure you have a guy who in his prime will probably put up 80+ points AND be a team leader, and you have Kessel who will probably be a 40-goal/80+ point guy as well but without the same leadership impact, I just don't see myself picking Kessel. don't get me wrong though, I think Kessel is a great sparkplug of a player with speed to burn and will do great things in his career, and for all I know perhaps he'll mature into more of a leader, but to judge now I am quite convinced I'd go with Seguin.

I guess others care more about the here and now.

[Big Ev]

It's basically Kessel vs Hall since they would have finished last.

[VincentVega]

It's basically Kessel vs Hall since they would have finished last.

Why? Because Kessel made the difference or because they would've tanked to get 1st overall?

[Mr. Guru]

because big ev said so...duh

[Big Ev]

Yes i think Kessel made the difference between 1 and 2...on the other hand though, the gap was quite large, points-wise, between EDM and TOR.

[Mr. Guru]

so what are you saying?? now im really confused

[leaftodd]

I'll keep Kessel. I don't see what other see in seguin. Not even the big upside that some see.

[JagrBomb]

kessel > seguin

kessel < seguin + 1st + knight


if kessel becomes a consistent 40G scorer (even if its only because he has a top center...like richards ) then i'm sure no one will complain.

[joos]

I think whats important for the Leafs is to rebuild properly... and with/how they acquired Kessel, I dont think it will work out.

Really, would their have been a difference in this season if it were Seguin in a Leafs uniform vs. Kessel? Yes... they might have had a better chance to get the top prospect pick this year lol.

Ultimately, Burke decided to speed up the process of rebuilding by getting Kessel and trading away draft picks. Woohoo for more 10th place finishes for the next 5-6 yrs.