Question about Kesler Rumors

[jagori78]

Was there any substance to the rumors that the Flyers would have been interested in Kesler; or was it only Pittsburgh and Anaheim interested?

The reason I ask, is if there was any chance the Flyers would do a one-for-one Brayden Schenn for Kesler trade.

With Gillis wanting to go back to the old puck possession style of play, I think the team needs to start grooming a new top line. So here's my idea. The best line Vancouver has had was Bertuzzi, Morrison, Naslund.

Which players in the league are the most similar to 22-23 year old versions of these players?

Although not realized potentially, Kassian could play like Bertuzzi with the right chemistry. Brayden Schenn's style is very similar to Morrison as well. And who knows, perhaps Jensen could develop into a great goal scorer on that line like Naslund, although I admit his overall skill level might not be there.

The thing is with young players, you never know what combination and chemistry will flourish; unfortunately in Vancouver, we haven't recently been able to put together many young players at once to see this happen.

I liked how in training camp they played Shinkaruk and Horvat together as much as possible to start getting them acquainted to styles, etc.

The question is, if Gillis says he doesn't have the right mix of players and they are playing the wrong style, what type of player are we missing?

[-AJ-]

IMO, Jensen is the closest we have to Nazzy right now. His wrister is great.

[jagori78]

Hmmm. I wonder if the Blues are interested in Kesler, lets see how they do in the playoffs. The only thing they are missing is a strong second line center.

Problem is, they are absolutely stacked with skill wingers, and better than anything we have.

Steen, Berglund, Oshie, Schwartz, and Tarasenko are all awesome top six wingers that play puck possession hockey.

Morrow, Paajarvi, Ott are great bottom six wingers also. They are totally stacked on defense, and good in goal also.

Since they already are fullup on skill wingers, they have a 21 yo Ty Rattie sitting there on the farm racking up the goals. No room for him, would they give him up for Kesler?

[Plum]

Hmmm. I wonder if the Blues are interested in Kesler, lets see how they do in the playoffs. The only thing they are missing is a strong second line center.

Problem is, they are absolutely stacked with skill wingers, and better than anything we have.

Steen, Berglund, Oshie, Schwartz, and Tarasenko are all awesome top six wingers that play puck possession hockey.

Morrow, Paajarvi, Ott are great bottom six wingers also. They are totally stacked on defense, and good in goal also.

Since they already are fullup on skill wingers, they have a 21 yo Ty Rattie sitting there on the farm racking up the goals. No room for him, would they give him up for Kesler?

That is a great prospect to look for and for a great reason!

Rattie + 1st + 4th for Kesler

[timberz21]

so if I understand you want to recreate a poor-man WCE? The WCE didn't even get us past the 2nd round, imagine a beta version of WCE.

Plus Gillis puck possession was a reference to when the Sedin took over as top line after Naslund left if i'm not mistaken.

#stoplivinginthepast

[L. Stanley]

That is a great prospect to look for and for a great reason!

Rattie + 1st + 4th for Kesler

that is not a good package, STL does that in a heart beat and laughs all the way home

that is a late 1st and Rattie is ok but he was taken after Jensen and while he projects to be top 6 he will never be near asgood as Kes

Hansen + Kesler to CHI for Shaw, Leddy, Teuvo

if I am Chicago I do this and don't think twice, same if I am MG

Sharp Toews Hossa

Kane Kesler Saad

Bickell Handzus Hansen

that is the best top 9 in the league

that is 2 first lines

[Devoted]

I like the idea of trading Kesler to a team that falters in this year's playoffs. Anaheim, St. Louis, Pitt, Philly, even LA might have an interest.

Targets from those teams:

Etem/Lindholm

Tarasenko/Schwartz

Pouliot/Bennett

Couturier/Simmonds

Toffoli

Obviously, some of these players would need more coming back than others, but those would be my targets.

[ForsbergTheGreat]

so if I understand you want to recreate a poor-man WCE? The WCE didn't even get us past the 2nd round, imagine a beta version of WCE.

Plus Gillis puck possession was a reference to when the Sedin took over as top line after Naslund left if i'm not mistaken.

#stoplivinginthepast

In all fairness Cloutier wasn't known for his play in playoffs.

In 2004 with big bert we would have easily knocked up the flames.

If only....

Kassian & Jensen = Nazzy and bert

Horvat & Shinkaruk = Toews and kane

[elvis15]

Well, it was kinda discussed at length in all the Kesler rumour threads for what was out there, but if I remember correctly Kesler decided against them. They were interested, but they also didn't want to give up Schenn or Couturier in return so that kinda kills that.

Also, the Blues only have a plethora of wingers because they have a plethora of centers. Berglund and Schwartz are centers playing wing, and even Oshie is listed as a center on a number of sites. I doubt they even consider trading for Kesler unless they fail miserably in the playoffs and the cause is faceoff and defensive issues.

[jagori78]

You guys have to be realistic. Sure, we all would want Tarasenko for Kesler, but that would never happen. Prospects usually only get traded because they are redundant.

Kesler for Dimitrij Jaskin, and Ty Rattie, plus a 2nd would be my realistic trade. Maybe not recognizable names, but talented players that make a difference.

[JE14]

Trade him to whichever team gets upset in the playoffs (doesn't have to be an upset but a team that loses in the first round when they are expected to get to the second round (SJS or LA as an example)).