[Value Of] Ryan Kesler

[baumerman77]

There has been a lot of Kesler trade talk both in the media and on the forums. I was just wondering what everyone thought Kesler's trade value currently is?

My own thoughts are that Kesler's trade value has dropped since trade deadline for the following reasons:

1. Under his current contract the acquiring team only has Kesler for 2 playoff runs versus 3 which they could have had on deadline.

2. There is greater supply of centers in the off-season. Not only could teams add through free agency, but there are also rumours that Spezza and Thornton are now available. More generally, there are more "seller" teams during the off-season. At trade deadline there were at most 8 teams who were legitimate out of the playoffs and were considered sellers.

3. Less chance of a rushed, pressured, deal. We all know some deadline deals are in reaction to other deals. There can often be a push to get a player because all your competition improved by adding a player. Thus resulting in better deals for the seller. This is not present in the off-season.

4. Kesler making it known that he is available. Through numerous media reports it is now well known Kesler would accept a trade to certain teams. This weakens the Canucks negotiated stance as it allows to "know our hand" and low-ball the Canucks. This could exacerbate if Kesler explicitly states that he wants a trade. During trade deadline this was less established and the surprised reaction could have led teams to offer inflated deals.

As a result of the aforementioned points I believe the rumoured deals with the Ducks and Penguins are likely not available anymore and it is more likely that we will receive "worse" offers for Kesler this off-season than at trade deadline.

But we can always hope some team will overpay for Kesler!

[Jiggs50]

Or Anaheim and Pittsburgh realize a center/winger like Kesler could have put them over the top. Pittsburgh is in the finals with Kesler. Anaheim makes it to the conference finals with Kesler.

[baumerman77]

I'm sure the teams still want Kesler but for the previously stated reasons I think they will offer less.

[Jiggs50]

I'm sure the teams still want Kesler but for the previously stated reasons I think they will offer less.

Lol here let me try to debunk those myths....

Kesler at 5 million a year is a bargain therefore the difference of having him for 2 postseason runs instead of 3 years isn't that big of a deal.

Bobby Ryan made it well known he wanted out and fetched a great return because there was a demand. Numerous teams need Kesler to take the next step. For example Anaheim, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Detroit and Tampa. There will be a demand for a player with Kesler's size, speed, experience and versatility.

[messier's_elbow]

I'm sure the teams still want Kesler but for the previously stated reasons I think they will offer less.

I disagree. Teams like the Ducks are a Kesler away from the promised land. Nothing is for sure, but he would help that team so much stepping into the 2nd line center role. If they want him though they will have to pay what a player of his caliber is worth on a good contract. Some people are over valuing him and some are under valuing.

[baumerman77]

Lol here let me try to debunk those myths....

Kesler at 5 million a year is a bargain therefore the difference of having him for 2 postseason runs instead of 3 years isn't that big of a deal.

Bobby Ryan made it well known he wanted out and fetched a great return because there was a demand. Numerous teams need Kesler to take the next step. For example Anaheim, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Detroit and Tampa. There will be a demand for a player with Kesler's size, speed, experience and versatility.

I am not saying there is not a demand for Kesler. I am just saying I do not think his value is what is was on deadline.

[bluesman60]

I don't think Benning is in a weaker position now to trade Kesler than he was before. Now that the playoffs are over, Kesler may expand his list of destinations depending on what moves the other teams make.

Anahiem did say that they would not be prepared to give two 1st rounders for Kesler now that the playoffs are over but that is just grandstanding. Anahiem got knocked out of the playoffs and they know that a guy like Kesler could have helped them get the job done. Kesler is the type of player that every team in the league wants....the bidding could get fierce with the cap going up. There are teams that were up against the cap last season that couldn't possibly make a move to aquire a guy like Kesler but all that has now changed.

That said, I am not all that convinced that Kesler will be traded considering that management is set on trying to make the playoffs. It is more likely that Edler will be the guy moving in a trade because the defense would be fine without him, Corrado could get a full time job here.

We had a disfunctional 2nd line for the last 2 seasons, losing Kesler means you have to go out and find another 2nd line centre instead of trying to promote a 3rd liner and crossing your fingers that they meet the challenge. Other than that, you would have to really gamble on Horvat or Gaunce assuming the 2nd line centre position...which is a stretch.

[Jiggs50]

I am not saying there is not a demand for Kesler. I am just saying I do not think his value is what is was on deadline.

I guess well find out if he is traded...

[Merci]

A prospect. A pick [etem and 10th]

Or b+ pick b+ pick and b+prospect [poliout bennett 25th]

Around there a straight up for drouin or mantha would be intriguing.

I dont think well make a bad trade kesler is too hot a commodity to now compete with chicago and ny slash mtl

[Sweathog]

I don't think Benning is in a weaker position now to trade Kesler than he was before. Now that the playoffs are over, Kesler may expand his list of destinations depending on what moves the other teams make.

Anahiem did say that they would not be prepared to give two 1st rounders for Kesler now that the playoffs are over but that is just grandstanding. Anahiem got knocked out of the playoffs and they know that a guy like Kesler could have helped them get the job done. Kesler is the type of player that every team in the league wants....the bidding could get fierce with the cap going up. There are teams that were up against the cap last season that couldn't possibly make a move to aquire a guy like Kesler but all that has now changed.

That said, I am not all that convinced that Kesler will be traded considering that management is set on trying to make the playoffs. It is more likely that Edler will be the guy moving in a trade because the defense would be fine without him, Corrado could get a full time job here.

We had a disfunctional 2nd line for the last 2 seasons, losing Kesler means you have to go out and find another 2nd line centre instead of trying to promote a 3rd liner and crossing your fingers that they meet the challenge. Other than that, you would have to really gamble on Horvat or Gaunce assuming the 2nd line centre position...which is a stretch.

I think it all depends if Kesler wants to stay or not. If he wants to be traded, there is no reason to keep him, regardless if the Canucks are shooting for the playoffs or not. Why would you keep a player who doesn't want to be here, especially when his value is so high? If Benning is trying to get in the playoffs though , it could change what he would be asking for in return. Of course, this is assuming that Kesler DOES want out. I agree that the rising cap increases his value and could start a bidding war.

[Junkyard Dog]

A prospect. A pick [etem and 10th]

Or b+ pick b+ pick and b+prospect [poliout bennett 25th]

Around there a straight up for drouin or mantha would be intriguing.

I dont think well make a bad trade kesler is too hot a commodity to now compete with chicago and ny slash mtl

I would rather have Pouliot then Etem.

I also think Pouliot is a better prospect.

[Plum]

His value is around what Bobby Ryan got.

[Bure to Mogilny]

Or Anaheim and Pittsburgh realize a center/winger like Kesler could have put them over the top. Pittsburgh is in the finals with Kesler. Anaheim makes it to the conference finals with Kesler.

I agree. Someteams 'window' is closing and they need to really make a big splash befor either there core is to old or thry cant afford there players

Anahiem pitts columbus tampa montreal detroit philly are all good possibilitys heck maybe even the sharks

Kesler is a hot camodity. Someone will overpay. Its good for us

[shiznak]

This is what you're probably going to get for Kesler.

Ana: Etem and the 10th overall

Det: Mantha

Chi: Teuvo Teravainen and David Rundblad

Col: rights to O'Reilly (probably have to add a minor piece)

Tampa: Connolly, 1st, and a 2nd

Pits: Pouliot and a 1st

When GMs look at a value for a player, they tend to ask themselves, "what have you done recently?". So, saying Kesler is a former Selke winner and a former 40 goals scorer, means nothing to other GMs.

[DownUndaCanuck]

Kesler is probably worth either 2 average prospects or a good prospect and a late 1st/early 2nd round pick.

[William_Clarkson]

I would rather have Pouliot then Etem.

I also think Pouliot is a better prospect.

No way we get Pouliot now, Shero is gone.

[-DLC-]

Thing is, we know his worth to this team. He's one guy who, when called upon, can carry the team and infuse some life into it. Beast mode.

What he would bring is an unknown and we may lose an important element of our charging system. People assume it's always going to be a guaranteed upgrade, isn't always so. Depends on what we'd get, but it would have to be something big because others would be chomping at the bit for him...that had better be reflected in a deal. This league is wonky when it comes to values...they are usually overblown and that would have to be the case. Wouldn't want to "settle" just for a trade's sake.

I know most are of the trade him while his value's high mentality and, as a football fan, Wally Buono's decision making has me support that to some degree, I just can't get on board with this one. I want Kes here.

[Canuck Surfer]

At the deadline, teams needed us to take a cap dump we did not want to make the trade work. Similarly, they did not want to give up any key components back.

Real bidders, if there is an auction, can get their cap structure in order to make a real bid.

As for guys with earlier posts in this thread;

- Kesler > Ryan.

- Kesler >> Mantha Certainly as an unproven prospect. Datsyuk/Zetterburg/Kesler is best 1/2/3 in league, worth paying for.

We also need to look at this different. Guys are thinking strictly re-build TL and JB, certainly FAQ want a full bottle competitive team. A hockey trade IMO is much more likely than a re-build. Here is an example.

Pitt re-signs Niskanen.

Letang and a 1st for Kesler, Higgins and Fox.

Why Pitt does it? They become dramatically tougher to play against, their biggest need. They get top 1/2/3 center depth. Their PP gets another big right handed shot. They retain Maata one of the leagues best young D plus have Pouliot in the wings. Niskanen has 85% of the offense, and is better, plus bigger, defensively than Letang, also a need. They get Higgins and Kessler for Letangs cap hit. They retain Sutter and Bennett, really their only two promising young forwards, as succession planning for Kunitz (34) and Neal (headcase). Fox projects to be a feisty / gritty forward to replace already lost Matt Cooke, but more likely to score in and amongst all the dynamic centre's.

Why we do it? Letang!

Why we really do it? Letang would be the best offensive D man in the franchises history, signed long term. We have a ready made spot on the right side opposite big shot lefty's Edler and Garrison on an otherwise defensively solid D core where his roaming does not hurt. We do go backwards losing Kesler. We have Mathias as stop gap, Horvat and Gaunce as two way big centre's in the pipeline long term. Higgins is proven, but still a money ball player. Higgins spot gives Booth (very promising last 3rd of year), Jensen, Grenier, Shinkaruk or our first round pick a spot to win. Hansen can pick up slack. Or we can sign another money ball player, Santorelli, Peter Mueller, Sean Thornton. Or we can sign a cap friendly incentive laden veteran deal, Iginla. We also get a late first (to take on risk of Letangs health and big contract).

[Sweathog]

No way we get Pouliot now, Shero is gone.

I'm not so sure, the new Pens GM would likely be under pressure to win now. The Pens are still a contender, so I don't think sacrificing some of their future would bother them that much. You could always add Cederholm or Sauve to sweeten the pot.