By Alex Hobson
On July 1st 2015, Leafs management wasted no time in kickstarting their rebuild. They made their first big deal of the overhaul, trading superstar Phil Kessel along with defenseman Tim Erixon, prospect Tyler Biggs, and a 2016 second round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for prospects Kasperi Kapanen and Scott Harrington, forward Nick Spaling, a conditional 2016 first round pick and a 2016 third round pick. This trade both angered and satisfied Leafs fans around the globe. Most Leafs fans knew that Kessel was going to be traded but didn't want to see him go, some felt as if they didn't get enough back, and some felt they should have kept him for a final year to play him under head coach Mike Babcock. In reality, this move had to be made in order for the rebuild to function properly, so let's break down the trade.
First off, lets talk about what we're losing in Phil Kessel. Kessel is without a doubt an unbelievable player. After being acquired from Boston in 2009, he has been consistent putting up points each season at nearly a point per game pace, and all these years he has never had a true number one center to work with. He was normally paired alongside of Tyler Bozak, who's a good second line center and a great third line center on a good team. Kessel will likely play alongside of either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, both who are true caliber numbre one centers, and if he develops chemistry with either of these players, he will put up a serious amount of points. The problem Kessel had in Toronto that Leafs fans didn't like was his work ethic and his attitude, having always to deal with the Toronto media in the dressing room and developing feuds with several reporters, the largest one being with Dave Feschuk. Very rarely do teams build a Stanley Cup winning roster around the wing, so the 27 year old Kessel just wasn't a fit in our rebuild. Tim Erixon was a marginal defenseman, and Tyler Biggs was struggling to find time in the AHL, so Kessel was really the only loss in this trade.
Now that we've discussed Kessel, let's talk about who we're getting back in this trade. Let's begin with top prospect Kasperi Kapanen. Kapanen is a highly-touted offensive winger that has the ceiling of a solid first liner who can make plays and score. The son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen was taken 22nd overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins, and has built a reputation as a goal scorer with heart and a strong work ethic. He put up 21 points in 41 games for KalPa of the SM-Liiga in Finland, and has been compared to Patrick Sharp because of his goal-scoring niche.
Next, lets talk Scott Harrington. The 22 year old native of Kingston, Ontario was taken in the 2nd round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins, and considering he spent his entire junior career with the London Knights, he has connections to Mark Hunter. The 6'2 209lb defenseman put up 12 points in 48 games as a member of the Penguins' affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, and has the potential to develop into a solid top four defenseman. He can contribute offensively and is no stranger to his own zone, either. The Leafs are likely going to give Harrington two more years in the AHL before he's given a crack at the NHL team.
Finally, we have forward Nick Spaling. The 26 year old forward spent his entire career with the Nashville Predators up until the 2014 offseason when he was dealt along with Patric Hornqvist to the Penguins in exchange for James Neal. He is known mostly as a defensive forward who can occasionally pitch in points, so if he's playing as a bottom six forward for the Leafs in 2015-16, you can expect him to put up in between 20-35 points.
The Leafs also acquired two draft picks in the deal. The conditions on the first round pick they received are that if the Penguins miss the playoffs in 2016, then they get the Penguins 2017 pick instead, while the third round pick they received is a normal pick with no conditions.
What do you think of the deal, Leafs fans? Are you happy with the return? Weigh in below.
On July 1st 2015, Leafs management wasted no time in kickstarting their rebuild. They made their first big deal of the overhaul, trading superstar Phil Kessel along with defenseman Tim Erixon, prospect Tyler Biggs, and a 2016 second round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for prospects Kasperi Kapanen and Scott Harrington, forward Nick Spaling, a conditional 2016 first round pick and a 2016 third round pick. This trade both angered and satisfied Leafs fans around the globe. Most Leafs fans knew that Kessel was going to be traded but didn't want to see him go, some felt as if they didn't get enough back, and some felt they should have kept him for a final year to play him under head coach Mike Babcock. In reality, this move had to be made in order for the rebuild to function properly, so let's break down the trade.
First off, lets talk about what we're losing in Phil Kessel. Kessel is without a doubt an unbelievable player. After being acquired from Boston in 2009, he has been consistent putting up points each season at nearly a point per game pace, and all these years he has never had a true number one center to work with. He was normally paired alongside of Tyler Bozak, who's a good second line center and a great third line center on a good team. Kessel will likely play alongside of either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, both who are true caliber numbre one centers, and if he develops chemistry with either of these players, he will put up a serious amount of points. The problem Kessel had in Toronto that Leafs fans didn't like was his work ethic and his attitude, having always to deal with the Toronto media in the dressing room and developing feuds with several reporters, the largest one being with Dave Feschuk. Very rarely do teams build a Stanley Cup winning roster around the wing, so the 27 year old Kessel just wasn't a fit in our rebuild. Tim Erixon was a marginal defenseman, and Tyler Biggs was struggling to find time in the AHL, so Kessel was really the only loss in this trade.
Now that we've discussed Kessel, let's talk about who we're getting back in this trade. Let's begin with top prospect Kasperi Kapanen. Kapanen is a highly-touted offensive winger that has the ceiling of a solid first liner who can make plays and score. The son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen was taken 22nd overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins, and has built a reputation as a goal scorer with heart and a strong work ethic. He put up 21 points in 41 games for KalPa of the SM-Liiga in Finland, and has been compared to Patrick Sharp because of his goal-scoring niche.
Next, lets talk Scott Harrington. The 22 year old native of Kingston, Ontario was taken in the 2nd round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins, and considering he spent his entire junior career with the London Knights, he has connections to Mark Hunter. The 6'2 209lb defenseman put up 12 points in 48 games as a member of the Penguins' affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, and has the potential to develop into a solid top four defenseman. He can contribute offensively and is no stranger to his own zone, either. The Leafs are likely going to give Harrington two more years in the AHL before he's given a crack at the NHL team.
Finally, we have forward Nick Spaling. The 26 year old forward spent his entire career with the Nashville Predators up until the 2014 offseason when he was dealt along with Patric Hornqvist to the Penguins in exchange for James Neal. He is known mostly as a defensive forward who can occasionally pitch in points, so if he's playing as a bottom six forward for the Leafs in 2015-16, you can expect him to put up in between 20-35 points.
The Leafs also acquired two draft picks in the deal. The conditions on the first round pick they received are that if the Penguins miss the playoffs in 2016, then they get the Penguins 2017 pick instead, while the third round pick they received is a normal pick with no conditions.
What do you think of the deal, Leafs fans? Are you happy with the return? Weigh in below.
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