Vancouver Canucks 30 Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 http://mobile.philly...s/&id=248318911 Flyers pursuing Canucks center Ryan Kesler? Frank Seravalli Last week, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said he didn't envision making any major moves before Wednesday's trade deadline. His stance apparently changed over the weekend, once word leaked that center Ryan Kesler may be on his way out of Vancouver. Two league sources told the Daily News that the Flyers have tabled a "substantial offer" to try and pry Kesler from the Canucks. They have also asked about acquiring Vancouver defenseman Alexander Edler, who is reportedly on the market, as part of a larger trade - though that combined price is steep. At this point, a little more than 24 hours shy of Wednesday's 3 o'clock finish line, any deal of this magnitude seems rather unlikely. There are numerous obstacles in the way. For one, any trade involving Kesler would be a team-altering hockey trade, and not your standard "rental"-type deal often consummated around the deadline. This blockbuster would also require serious salary moving both ways for each team to remain cap compliant - and they usually take time to put together. Plus, the Flyers clearly are not the only player pursuing Kesler. Numerous teams, including Pittsburgh, Toronto, Chicago, Boston and even Columbus have inquired with Canucks general manager Mike Gillis about Kesler. According to a report in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Penguins view the Flyers as their chief competition for Kesler. The report says the Penguins have offered Brandon Sutter, Simon Despres, and their first round pick. In such hot pursuit of Kesler, Penguins general manager Ray Shero has even softened his stance on letting go top defensive prospect Derrick Pouliot, a first round pick in 2012 - perhaps with knowledge of the Flyers' most-recent offer. "Shero is said to be as aggressive in this pursuit of Kesler as he has any player at seven previous deadline periods," the Tribune-Review's Rob Rossi reported. When Shero wants something, he usually find a way to get it. Last year, Calgary forward Jarome Iginla chose to be traded to Pittsburgh instead of Boston at the last minute. It is important to keep in mind here that Kesler did not request a trade. He has lucrative, off-ice sponsorships in Vancouver that earn him well above his $5 million salary. This would also signifiy the Canucks are willing to pull the chute on their injury-plagued season with 19 games left despite being only two points out of a playoff spot. As we saw last season with Roberto Luongo in Vancouver, Gillis is surely in a position of leverage. However, a source says former Flyers coach Peter Laviolette was actually among those who became close to Kesler with Team USA at the Olympics and passed on word that he might not be entirely happy in Vancouver. Kesler, 29, holds the keys in this negotiation with a full no-trade clause. The Penguins are reportedly his first choice destination, with Philadelphia serving as his backup plan. Numerous reports stated Kesler - a Michigan native - is not interested in a trade to another Canadian market. The price for Kesler, who has two full seasons left at a cap-certain number of $5 million, remains high heading into Wednesday. It is very possible Kesler remains in Vancouver. TSN's Bob McKenzie reported on Monday night that the Canucks are seeking an established NHL center between the ages of 20-25, preferably a forward prospect, and a first round pick in exchange. For the Flyers, that would likely mean parting ways with a center like Brayden Schenn. Though Holmgren does not have a burning desire to trade anyone on his roster, reiterating Monday he likes his team as assembled, the Flyers would much rather move Schenn than Sean Couturier. It is unclear what Gillis would require to part with both Kesler and Edler in the same deal. Edler, 27, is in the first year of a 6-year, $30 million deal which also provides a cap-certain hit of $5 million, while the cap is rising significantly next season. He, too, holds a no-trade clause. Edler was a true bright spot for Sweden at the Olympics, often playing ahead of Coyotes star Oliver Ekman-Larsson. He is the puck-moving defenseman the Flyers truly need to add. As for Kesler, a one-time 40-goal scorer, the Flyers' need for him is less pressing. Sure, he is a consummate, two-way forward with a slew of intangibles and legitimate scoring prowess. But they also already have one big-name player, Vinny Lecavalier, playing out of position on the wing because of a logjam down the middle. Plus, Schenn - set to become a much cheaper restricted free agent this summer - has similar points this season as Kesler, despite being 7 years younger. With the 5th-most wins in the NHL since Nov. 7 (28-14-5), the Flyers are seemingly just as content staying put at the deadline. Yet, they are involved - again. They love Kesler's competitiveness at both ends of the ice. In 2006, Flyers general manager Bob Clarke signed Kesler to an offer sheet, stunning the market with a hostile offer for relatively unknown player at the time. The Flyers' next general manager has watched Kesler blossom into one of the NHL's most well-rounded players. Perhaps, the Flyers could be on the scent simply to make sure rival Pittsburgh doesn't become a deeper team overnight without significant cost. We'll see who's bluffing. For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
messier's_elbow Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Yeah I read this earlier. Its great news for us if Pens and Flyers get into a bidding war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMohammadman Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 No, take Edler. Keep Kesler, please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuongo Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 We shall see Tomorrow. Kind of excited... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73 Percent Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Kesler edler b schenn laughton 1st 2014 hagg rinaldo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
messier's_elbow Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 It would make sense to have something like Kesler+Edler for Couturier/Schenn+Laughton+Morin/Hagg+Cap dump+1st Philly would give the Canucks an instant rebuild and make it so a few more Canucks could see the writing on the wall and waive and in the process get more young players.Philly would be instant contenders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftmN Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 I still think that no deal will get done, as much as I would like a bidding war to occur I still don't think it will happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMohammadman Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Whens the deadline? Sorry, I'm in Saudi Arabia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftmN Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 In about 30hours from now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lumberman Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 I still think that no deal will get done, as much as I would like a bidding war to occur I still don't think it will happen. I agree, GMMG will reluctantly scowl to the mic and make the pre-rehearsed rhetoric speach, 'we talked to a number of teams.. blah, blah, blah, but it's hard to make a trade and it's has to make sense...blah, blah, blah' Buckle up , we've got Gillis for a few more years, like or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftmN Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 I see that pre-recorded speech with crap about NTC's in it too, I don't think Gillis will make any bold moves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adniel_g Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Kesler edler b schenn laughton 1st 2014 hagg rinaldo Didn't B.Schenn get injured last night? Maybe I was just seeing things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adniel_g Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 No, take Edler. Keep Kesler, please. Why? we NEED to trade him if we are gonna rebuild and open room for Horvat. Best to avoid the Hodgson drama all over again. The second line has been a problem for us for a few yrs now. We needed to sign wingers for Kesler and have failed many times. This is a better route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adniel_g Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 My guess is that Kes and maybe Edler go to Philly. They seem like they would want Kes the most after the departure of Carter/Richards. Can already see him as a flyer. Pits may want him, but I just don't see them giving up enough in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Kesler edler b schenn laughton 1st 2014 hagg rinaldo Not going to happen, article said it will involve significant salary going back as it should as your deal would put the flyers at almost 6 million over the cap. Expect 1 or 2 of Hartnell, Voracek, Simmonds, Coburn or Meszaros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primal Optimist Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 trade one to pitts and one to philly and take them both for what we can get, haha...a couple first round picks and some first round drafted talent. High Return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperReverb2 Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Needs to be done now while we can still get a maximum return for Kesler and or Edler. Our current Canucks are NOT playing as a team and it's obvious something needs to change. Love Kesler and what he brings to each game, but for the most part it is all about Kesler when he's on the ice. Say what you want about the Canucks (Gillis) inability to acquire a winger for Kesler, but in certain instances (and I believe this with Kesler) it's more about the players inability to adapt to his wingers than the other way around. Time to move him so he can become a "problem" for somebody else while we (hopefully) reap the benefits of what we get for him. Edler? Mmmmmm. Amazing player some days, and then plays like a flat ass stupid rookie on other days. Love to see somebody that's a little more balanced and stable for Edler even if it means taking a slight drop in talent to make the deal fly. Would like to see some consistency in return for Edlers sometimes schizoid performances of late. Get er done Gillis!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adniel_g Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 In about 30hours from now Yeah that's the best part about all of this! Don't have to wait much longer. Don't see Gillis doing nothing. With the cap going up next yr, this is our chance to free up some cap and sign a FA or two and rebuild on the fly. In a perfect scenario: Kesler+Edler traded Booth buy out = =14.25m+ in Cap space freed up + 5M (6.8M in cap going up -1.8M in Sedin raises) =19.25m of offseason cap space - Horvat -Santorelli To Fill: Sedin Sedin Burrows _____ Horvat ______ Higgins Santorelli Hansen Sestito Richardson Dalpe Hamhuis Bieksa Garrison Tanev Diaz Stanton Offseason: Sign 2 wingers for Horvat (this would include the cap we take on from either Philly/Pits, just treat the players we get as signings) Top 4 d-man? Budget: Roughly 14-15M? This is GENIUS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adniel_g Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Not going to happen, article said it will involve significant salary going back as it should as your deal would put the flyers at almost 6 million over the cap. Expect 1 or 2 of Hartnell, Voracek, Simmonds, Coburn or Meszaros. Sure I'd gladly take 1 or 2 of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adniel_g Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Needs to be done now while we can still get a maximum return for Kesler and or Edler. Our current Canucks are NOT playing as a team and it's obvious something needs to change. Love Kesler and what he brings to each game, but for the most part it is all about Kesler when he's on the ice. Say what you want about the Canucks (Gillis) inability to acquire a winger for Kesler, but in certain instances (and I believe this with Kesler) it's more about the players inability to adapt to his wingers than the other way around. Time to move him so he can become a "problem" for somebody else while we (hopefully) reap the benefits of what we get for him. Edler? Mmmmmm. Amazing player some days, and then plays like a flat ass stupid rookie on other days. Love to see somebody that's a little more balanced and stable for Edler even if it means taking a slight drop in talent to make the deal fly. Would like to see some consistency in return for Edlers sometimes schizoid performances of late. Get er done Gillis!! Yup Yup feel the same way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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