[Rumour] "Teams eyeing down Kesler & Edler" - Ownership prevented Kesler trade

[canuckbeliever]

Calm down people. Stupid rumour to gain media attention and revenue. It's bs..

See here is the thing. I would take what Gillis said with a grain of salt because he talked to multiple reporters and told them different things.I know CDC hates Botchford but his Provies outlined this real well with facts that are kind of undisputable.

Ann Schmaltz @annschmaltzFollow

Mike Gillis says Ryan Kesler has not requested a trade. Not at the beginning of the season or at any time. #Canucks

7:37 PM - 26 Feb 2014

Clearly different things were said.

Perhaps the more telling sign is Tony Gallaghers latest comment. It is well known that Gallagher and Gillis are friends. Not sure he writes a column about what will happen when Kesler is traded unless he knows Kesler is going to be traded.

Here is what he wrote.

When the Vancouver Canucks trade Ryan Kesler either within the week or at the summer draft, it’s almost certainly going to have to be the first of at least two major deals — if there is to be a successful remake of this club.

The team wasn’t denying reports Wednesday night that Kesler has asked to be traded, and given all the things that have happened to him in this city over the years, it can’t come as much of a surprise that he has requested a change of scenery.

Some would argue that given he’s been their best player other than perhaps Roberto Luongo this season, there’s no way the Canucks can win a Kesler trade. But there’s quite another way of looking at things. Perhaps his body has been through so much, playing as much and as hard as he’s played in this town his whole career that there is no way to lose on making such a move unless Samuel Pahlsson is involved. Whatever camp you most subscribe to, there has to be another shoe drop if it’s going to work.

There’s no way this team can trade Kesler and not get another quality centre back, whether it’s in the deal for the Livonia, Mich., star or whether it comes in the drop of a second large shoe before this team plays its first game next season.

After all, which team is going to improve itself by trading for Kesler if that same team gives back another centre in return? Who’s interested in doing that unless they’re going to give Vancouver a much-lesser player and a couple of draft picks, which isn’t likely to interest Vancouver.

And if Vancouver makes the determination they have to get a quality centre back in a Kesler deal, they narrow the field to absurd levels, something general manager Mike Gillis isn’t going to do when he says: “We’re going to look at everything.”

Everything has to include a second major deal.

This year has been such a shocker, such a mess for this team, not making some moves at this point would be both bad management and bad business, given the way interest in this town is beginning to sag.

And if the right moves are made — with another major player on the move as well as Kesler — this team could find itself in much better shape in the very near future with the likes of Bo Horvat, Nicklas Jensen and Hunter Shinkaruk coming, with the goaltending and mix of youth and veterans they still have on the back end.

Look at what happened when the Anaheim Ducks moved Chris Pronger four years back when it looked like they were headed for a long, Calgary Flames-like snooze after their Stanley Cup of 2007. It was a trade many thought they couldn’t win. That was then and look where they are now — that happens to be atop the Western Conference with obscene depth in goal, youth at every position, but particularly on the back end and two picks in both the first and second rounds of the draft this June.

If things are done properly — and that’s the key — with the disposition of a couple of the key pieces starting with Kesler, this team’s image could be remade rather quickly.

To say Kesler has been a solid citizen here as a player is a massive understatement. Even though for the past four years he’s broken down somewhere along the trail toward the end of the season, it’s because he’s played in such a totally invested fashion. And while he broke down in that run to the Cup final getting hurt against San Jose and not being of much use in the final against Boston, he almost won the Nashville series by himself.

There are many factors adding up to the request for this change of scenery and many of them are outlined in this publication. But with the depth they have at the back, you can be pretty sure Kesler won’t be the only big name headed out if what appears to be a pending remake of this team is going to be successful.

twitter.com/tg_gman

And lastly, I know a lot of people here hate Botch but he alongside Kuzma and Gallagher are clearly adamant Kesler wants out. Thats a lot of folks. When the beat writers are all saying the same thing then odds are it is probably true

And here is Bruce Arthur saying the exact same thing...

Kesler trade request story: Kesler was also telling people he wanted out of Vancouver after the bronze medal game. So ..

6h ago

... maybe he didn't tell his agent? Anyway, I know who I trust on this.

[Pears]

See here is the thing. I would take what Gillis said with a grain of salt because he talked to multiple reporters and told them different things.I know CDC hates Botchford but his Provies outlined this real well with facts that are kind of undisputable.

Ann Schmaltz @annschmaltzFollow

Mike Gillis says Ryan Kesler has not requested a trade. Not at the beginning of the season or at any time. #Canucks

7:37 PM - 26 Feb 2014

Clearly different things were said.

Perhaps the more telling sign is Tony Gallaghers latest comment. It is well known that Gallagher and Gillis are friends. Not sure he writes a column about what will happen when Kesler is traded unless he knows Kesler is going to be traded.

Here is what he wrote.

And lastly, I know a lot of people here hate Botch but he alongside Kuzma and Gallagher are clearly adamant Kesler wants out. Thats a lot of folks. When the beat writers are all saying the same thing then odds are it is probably true

And here is Bruce Arthur saying the exact same thing...

Kesler trade request story: Kesler was also telling people he wanted out of Vancouver after the bronze medal game. So ..

6h ago

... maybe he didn't tell his agent? Anyway, I know who I trust on this.

I hate Gallagher but since he's friends with Gillis you know he's gotta have an inside scoop, because I'm sure any other writer/blogger would start there article with "If the Vancouver Canucks trade Ryan Kesler" and not "When the Vancouver Canucks trade Ryan Kesler." And if it's the first of two 'major' deals, the other ones gotta be Edler or Luongo.

[Brick Tamland]

Where there's smoke, there's fire. Gillis is in damage control to maintain the highest value possible.

I wonder if MG meets with the twins about blowing it up yet hoping to stay competitive in the 'process'? They signed long term to win, not rebuild.

Kesler could be MG's job saving trade. Someone's young, dynamic player coming back (Skinner, Couturier, Mantha, Johansen, ROR etc) plus possible depth could get him a year or two in development time.

[canuckbeliever]

Where there's smoke, there's fire. Gillis is in damage control to maintain the highest value possible.

I wonder if MG meets with the twins about blowing it up yet hoping to stay competitive in the 'process'? They signed long term to win, not rebuild.

Kesler could be MG's job saving trade. Someone's young, dynamic player coming back (Skinner, Couturier, Mantha, Johansen, ROR etc) plus possible depth could get him a year or two in development time.

CBJ wont give up Johansen.

Here is an interesting take on what they could get at least from Pittsburgh.....If this is type of deal they get they will be fine...

http://www.thepensblog.com/2014-archives/february/trading-for-ryan-kesler-makes-sense-for-the-penguins.html

On Tuesday, Ray Shero alluded to the Pens not having the best cap situation this year to make a move and whatnot.

Some took that as Shero declaring himself out of the trade-deadline craziness. We didn’t have the same takeaway.

In fact, we think the Pens may be working on something.

The end result?

Ryan Kesler.

HOW WE GOT TO THERE:

First off, read this piece by Mike Colligan. Colligan formulates a great point about the Penguins returning to the three-center system they had with Crosby, Malkin and Staal.

Sutter is due a qualifying offer of $2.7 million when he heads to restricted free agency this summer. How much will Shero be willing to pay for a young player who hasn’t really shown consistency or intensity? With Sutter trying to carry a third line, are the Penguins still at risk of being shutdown like they were in Boston last spring?

Maybe it’s time to revive the three-center model.

The good old three-center model...

Down the stretch in Staal’s final season, Bylsma unleashed the full potential of the matchup nightmare.

Against a team with depth, he ran the three centers on separate lines. Against teams with a tough top defensive pair, he’d slide Staal up next to Malkin and make the opposing coach pick their poison. Prior to television timeouts or at the end of periods and games, he’d load up all three on an unstoppable line.

Some will take this as an assault on Brandon Sutter. And that simply isn’t true. Sutter has been fine, and in fact if nothing were to happen, the Penguins will be fine with Brandon Sutter.

But think about the potential Kesler brings.

1. He’d be a solid upgrade to an already good penalty kill.

2. He’s an excellent faceoff man.

3. He has the grit to survive a series against any of the big boys in the East. In fact, he could be a huge X factor in a series against the Bruins if it were to ever get that.

Bottom line: he is just as good as Jordan Staal. In fact, as Colligan pointed out, a Kesler for Staal trade was on table.

A HOCKEY TRADE

Like any trade we see, this would have to make sense for both teams. The knee-jerk reaction for people when talking about Kesler to the Penguins is questioning the third line center role. Again, Colligan dispells all that.

But what about the Canucks? How in the world does this make sense for them? First, let’s identify who would be going to the great northwest.

We see it like this. Brandon Sutter, Simon Despres/Derrick Pouliot, and a first round pick.

1. Brandon Sutter - Depending on how high the Canucks value his upside, they are getting a solid third line NHL center.

2. Simon Despres - The Canucks need some young, mobile defensemen. Despres can’t seem to crack the Penguins' lineup on a consistent basis. Remember, this is a guy Dan Bylsma said was a top-four NHL Dman. There have been whispers of the Penguins not being fond of Despres’ maturity level.

3. Derrick Pouliot - Pouliot nearly made the Penguins out of training camp. He is the best prospect in the organization. The Canucks have been missing this level of a defensive prospect ever since Luc Bourdon tragically died in 2009.

4. First round pick - Gulp, parting with another first round pick. This fits here, because the Canucks may be ready to blow things up. And an extra first round draft pick never hurts.

WHEELS IN MOTION

This broke late Wednesday night:

THINGS TO WATCH THE NEXT 48 HOURS

- Ignore the Ryan Kesler broken hand stuff. That isn't confirmed.

- The Penguins have been buzzing on Kesler for a month or two according to a source of ours.

- See who else gets involved with the rumors. The Flyers for example, could cause a bidding war.

- Again. As mentioned above, this ending to Colligan's pieceis everything:

Additionally, after the Staal trade occurred, I got wind that the Canucks had inquired about Staal’s availability.

The Penguins’ ask in return?

Ryan Kesler.

[messier's_elbow]

CBJ wont give up Johansen.

Here is an interesting take on what they could get at least from Pittsburgh.....If this is type of deal they get they will be fine...

http://www.thepensbl...e-penguins.html

On Tuesday, Ray Shero alluded to the Pens not having the best cap situation this year to make a move and whatnot.

Some took that as Shero declaring himself out of the trade-deadline craziness. We didn’t have the same takeaway.

In fact, we think the Pens may be working on something.

The end result?

Ryan Kesler.

HOW WE GOT TO THERE:

First off, read this piece by Mike Colligan. Colligan formulates a great point about the Penguins returning to the three-center system they had with Crosby, Malkin and Staal.

Sutter is due a qualifying offer of $2.7 million when he heads to restricted free agency this summer. How much will Shero be willing to pay for a young player who hasn’t really shown consistency or intensity? With Sutter trying to carry a third line, are the Penguins still at risk of being shutdown like they were in Boston last spring?

Maybe it’s time to revive the three-center model.

The good old three-center model...

Down the stretch in Staal’s final season, Bylsma unleashed the full potential of the matchup nightmare.

Against a team with depth, he ran the three centers on separate lines. Against teams with a tough top defensive pair, he’d slide Staal up next to Malkin and make the opposing coach pick their poison. Prior to television timeouts or at the end of periods and games, he’d load up all three on an unstoppable line.

Some will take this as an assault on Brandon Sutter. And that simply isn’t true. Sutter has been fine, and in fact if nothing were to happen, the Penguins will be fine with Brandon Sutter.

But think about the potential Kesler brings.

1. He’d be a solid upgrade to an already good penalty kill.

2. He’s an excellent faceoff man.

3. He has the grit to survive a series against any of the big boys in the East. In fact, he could be a huge X factor in a series against the Bruins if it were to ever get that.

Bottom line: he is just as good as Jordan Staal. In fact, as Colligan pointed out, a Kesler for Staal trade was on table.

A HOCKEY TRADE

Like any trade we see, this would have to make sense for both teams. The knee-jerk reaction for people when talking about Kesler to the Penguins is questioning the third line center role. Again, Colligan dispells all that.

But what about the Canucks? How in the world does this make sense for them? First, let’s identify who would be going to the great northwest.

We see it like this. Brandon Sutter, Simon Despres/Derrick Pouliot, and a first round pick.

1. Brandon Sutter - Depending on how high the Canucks value his upside, they are getting a solid third line NHL center.

2. Simon Despres - The Canucks need some young, mobile defensemen. Despres can’t seem to crack the Penguins' lineup on a consistent basis. Remember, this is a guy Dan Bylsma said was a top-four NHL Dman. There have been whispers of the Penguins not being fond of Despres’ maturity level.

3. Derrick Pouliot - Pouliot nearly made the Penguins out of training camp. He is the best prospect in the organization. The Canucks have been missing this level of a defensive prospect ever since Luc Bourdon tragically died in 2009.

4. First round pick - Gulp, parting with another first round pick. This fits here, because the Canucks may be ready to blow things up. And an extra first round draft pick never hurts.

WHEELS IN MOTION

This broke late Wednesday night:

THINGS TO WATCH THE NEXT 48 HOURS

- Ignore the Ryan Kesler broken hand stuff. That isn't confirmed.

- The Penguins have been buzzing on Kesler for a month or two according to a source of ours.

- See who else gets involved with the rumors. The Flyers for example, could cause a bidding war.

- Again. As mentioned above, this ending to Colligan's pieceis everything:

Additionally, after the Staal trade occurred, I got wind that the Canucks had inquired about Staal’s availability.

The Penguins’ ask in return?

Ryan Kesler.

Garbage. This is a great trade for the Penguins lol

[Brick Tamland]

I think MG can land an NHL ready player and a prospect. Skinner +, ROR +, the Schenn brothers

[Sugar baby watermelon]

Yikes, imagine Jeff Skinner in a Canucks uniform, when he is on, he is dominant, but he is an injury waiting to happen too

I want Gustav Nyquist out of Detroit, man the kid is a stud, do it MG, Edler + 3rd for Nyquist & Franzen

[Nicklas Bo Hunter]

Kesler is going to get traded. Hopefully at trade deadline cause if not it will be a brutal summer in CDC land

[86Viking]

neither the GM nor Player has yet to come out and deny the rumour. Would think if it was false one of them would have denied it last night, maybe this morning?\

If the blues want kesler they need to move schwartz to get us interested

Schwartz,Stewart,Rattie

Still leaves the blues with

Backes

Kesler

Roy

Berglund

Lappy

Sobotka

still lots of C depth their. Berglund is a great 3rd line center, they are using him on the wing now.

Shinkaruk Schwartz Kassian

Jensen Horvat Rattie

Decent future top 6

Couturier and simmonds, or B.schenn plus (hagg, mcginn)

Jenner plus (rychel, anisimov, 1st rounder)

Nyquist plus(jurco,sproul,pulkinnen)

Strome plus(martin,pulock)

Stepan plus(mcilrath) jt miller?

Turris plus(wiercoch,stone)

Kucherov plus(connolly,panik,palat,purcell)

The ''PLus'' would vary with the above players. I wouldnt mind seeing Stepan coming here, good history with torts. Not sure what else we could get.

We wont trade kesler in our division, we didnt move schneids, cant see us help anaheim.

lots of options, with decent returns possible, problem is have we scouted enough to make a big trade like this and known what we would potentially be getting in return?

Could be better to wait till the draft? But if these rumours dont get squashed, its going to be a big distraction to the team, media will be all over it, we just went through it with the goalies dont want this happening again

[tas]

neither the GM nor Player has yet to come out and deny the rumour. Would think if it was false one of them would have denied it last night, maybe this morning?\

If the blues want kesler they need to move schwartz to get us interested

Schwartz,Stewart,Rattie

Still leaves the blues with

Backes

Kesler

Roy

Berglund

Lappy

Sobotka

still lots of C depth their. Berglund is a great 3rd line center, they are using him on the wing now.

Shinkaruk Schwartz Kassian

Jensen Horvat Rattie

Decent future top 6

Couturier and simmonds, or B.schenn plus (hagg, mcginn)

Jenner plus (rychel, anisimov, 1st rounder)

Nyquist plus(jurco,sproul,pulkinnen)

Strome plus(martin,pulock)

Stepan plus(mcilrath) jt miller?

Turris plus(wiercoch,stone)

Kucherov plus(connolly,panik,palat,purcell)

The ''PLus'' would vary with the above players. I wouldnt mind seeing Stepan coming here, good history with torts. Not sure what else we could get.

We wont trade kesler in our division, we didnt move schneids, cant see us help anaheim.

lots of options, with decent returns possible, problem is have we scouted enough to make a big trade like this and known what we would potentially be getting in return?

Could be better to wait till the draft? But if these rumours dont get squashed, its going to be a big distraction to the team, media will be all over it, we just went through it with the goalies dont want this happening again

that's a st. louis trade i'd actually make, and i'd even think about it without rattie.

[86Viking]

that's a st. louis trade i'd actually make, and i'd even think about it without rattie.

we need quality coming back, i dont want quantity or picks we have to wait for to make an impact. Rattie may be ready next year, schwartz is now. If the blues want a Cup, they wouldnt hesitate to make a deal like this. Kesler gives them a great 1-2 punch down the middle. Probably one of the hardest tandems down the middle for teams to face. Both are physical and like to hit. Stewart is for cap reasons, maybe it could be berglund instead?

THink berglund halak/elliot and maybe a pick could get them Miller. Adding Miller and Kesler would really improve their team.

[Plaguez]

You cant possibly be serious? He used the word in its proper context the over reaction is to its use is on those of you who mistook it as a reference to sexual deviancy. As a point of note, rape not only refers to women.

The fact that you stated so matter of fact:" When someone you know gets raped.." is more appalling than anything he said..

Fully agree. Dbag move to stoop to that level. When I read the first comment I took it in context and therefore couldn't possibly get offended. Of course, if someone has a family member who experienced this, there really is only one way for them to see this word, so the over-reaction, while over the top, is understandable.

[tas]

Fully agree. Dbag move to stoop to that level. When I read the first comment I took it in context and therefore couldn't possibly get offended. Of course, if someone has a family member who experienced this, there really is only one way for them to see this word, so the over-reaction, while over the top, is understandable.

suffering personal trauma doesn't entitle you to disregard context and expect everyone to walk on eggshells around you and treat you like a goddamn toddler that had a nightmare.

not that the poster in question has suffered any personal trauma; he's just a typical whiny member of the internet generation that will happily take any excuse to act indignant and offended and jump up on a high horse of political correctness to crusade against the insensitive meanies.

there are no bad words, only bad intentions, and any person thats offended by simply a word, let alone one used without any malicious intent, needs to seriously reevaluate their priorities in life and grow the hell up.

[86Viking]

you just dont want to let this go eh. theres a time to let things go obviously you would rather continue this. Maybe i over reacted, but in the same way it can be offensive to ppl who know someone who has had that happen to someone they know.

but hey keep on saying things about me, cuz you know me so well...

[MJDDawg]

If all Gillis gets back for Kes is a !@#$% Sutter, a young D-man and a pick, I'll be first in line at Home Depot to buy all their pitch-forks and torches.

[tas]

you just dont want to let this go eh. theres a time to let things go obviously you would rather continue this. Maybe i over reacted, but in the same way it can be offensive to ppl who know someone who has had that happen to someone they know.

but hey keep on saying things about me, cuz you know me so well...

i didn't even know you posted something on the matter. i'm talking about warhippy.

[thad]

I like where Gallagher was going with his article and his reference to the pronger trade.

I also kinda like the idea the penguins writer was throwing around.

If we can get sutter pouliot 1st, I say take it. Sutter is no Kesler but pouliot has a good chance of being a high impact player. On top of that you get a beauty young third line centre and another first. That's 3 young players almost nullifying a rebuild when you look at the prospects we already have.

Then you go back to what gallahger was saying about a second deal.. You make a hockey trade in the summer with edler. Or perhaps even make a package around him as you just added 3 good young pieces you can afford to throw a gaunce Jensen or corrado in there. We'd essentially have the pieces to go out and aquire a good young Kesler replacement.

[aliboy]

If it's another proven for unproven trade, it's fail all the way!! I know Kesler won't go to the Jets but names like Ladd and Big Buff are the kind of names we need to see here, not young unproven players. We need proven players back!!

[Warhippy]

i didn't even know you posted something on the matter. i'm talking about warhippy.

Listen clwon shoes. I make a simple statement about that word, about peoples disgusting casual use of it. And before you get on your own jonson about "proper context" don't frigging kid yourself pal.

Say that word in a room full of parents and you'll get the same look

Nobody is going to stop and say "it's ok, he is using it in the anglo saxxon meaning talking about proper pillage and what not pip pip"

Then you chime in out fo frigging NOWHERE ripping on my parenting saying how you feel sorry for my kids.

My reaction was pretty normal. I'd break you frigging nose and tear you a new one for that. Plain and simple. You went WAY overboard with your bloody personal attack so don't DARE pin that crap on me you self righteous prig.

Back to the subject at hand, Rattie needs to put on some weight, Berglund might work, Halak or Elliot coming back not bad either, although i'd rather let Lack run with it with Cannata being called up so Erikkson and Corbeil can run the Comets for a while.

So if you think in terms of

Stewart (cap)

Halak/Berglund

Rattie

mid round pick

I still think we can get much better calue from the East

So, still believe in my opinion it is better to see Kesler go to the east. Both for return and because I would hate to see him tear the twins a new one every game they played.

Now, since you Tas, seem to want to incessantly dig at me you petulant child. I am excersizing the ignore button before I jay and silent bob a guy or get a suspension. grow the hell up stop waxing eloquent about the "definition" of a word and lay off the personal attacks regarding a guys kids and parenting ok.

Not sure what happened to you, you used to be an ok poster but now you spread your frigging nonsense whining complaining and digging at people in every thread you enter.

Grow up grow a pair and leave well enough a lone start acting like a man and not some wounded child and leave it to hockey talk.

[Smiley2051]

I like where Gallagher was going with his article and his reference to the pronger trade.

I also kinda like the idea the penguins writer was throwing around.

If we can get sutter pouliot 1st, I say take it. Sutter is no Kesler but pouliot has a good chance of being a high impact player. On top of that you get a beauty young third line centre and another first. That's 3 young players almost nullifying a rebuild when you look at the prospects we already have.

Then you go back to what gallahger was saying about a second deal.. You make a hockey trade in the summer with edler. Or perhaps even make a package around him as you just added 3 good young pieces you can afford to throw a gaunce Jensen or corrado in there. We'd essentially have the pieces to go out and aquire a good young Kesler replacement.

Sutter can anchor that 3C for a lot of years, and Kesler wont be haunting us as much over in the East.

Wow a team with crosby, Malkin and Kesler.....