17 Feb 2015 21:45:32
If the Toronto Maple Leafs were to trade Phil Kessel to the Florida Panthers, the return could be a combination of anything. I would like Leafs management to target Quinton Howden, Jayce Hawlychuck, Ian McCoshen and Mike Matheson as the prospects to recieve. Older roster players would be Sean Bergenheim, Tomas Kopecky, Brad Boyes and/or Scottie Upshall. Those to be had from the Panthers roster, with the greatest upside, would be Dylan Olsen and Brandon Pirri but then florida would not send a 1st round pick toronto's way. If a deal were to strike before this years March trade deadline it would include 2 of the above mentioned prospects, one of the above mentioned roster veterans, a 2nd round pick in 2015 and a 1st round pick in 2016. Because of the contract limits, Toronto will have to move atleast 2 more contracts, not necessarily a main roster member but probably someone like Brad Ross, Fabrice Herzog, Garret Sparks, Eric Knodel and/or Tom Nilsson. I look at the Scott Gomez trade from NYR to Montreal for Ryan McDonnaugh and company, the Bobby Ryan trade from Anaheim to Ottawa and the Jason Spezza trade from Ottawa to Dallas as similar examples of trades involving star power for potential prospects and picks. Each of the aforementioned trades included a package of picks and prospects. Thoughts?

1.) 18 Feb 2015
You really think Florida would give up that much though, the price you said. 2 prospects and good ones, a roster player, 2016 1st and 2015 2nd. That's a lot but if they could manage to obtain that package, good on them!

2.) 19 Feb 2015
The Florida Panthers are a bubble team as of the moment. Even with their roster and the depreciation of teams like Boston and Detroit with their core groups getting closer to retirement, Florida can make the playoffs this year and/or next year meaning those draft picks wouldn't be within the top 15. The prospects are valuable but they also play in positions which already have big names taking those spots on the main club. I wouldn't say those prospexts are expendible but they are luxury assets. I wrotr the above post because the only other team in the NHL that I as a fan would like to see Phil Kessel trade to is the New York Islanders because of their own prospect depth.