Metal Reviews

Already in three leagues which is probably enough for me so I'll pass. Also I prefer Yahoo.

I don't think we have enough players to make an interesting league.

Boston trades Phil Kessel to Toronto in exchange for two 1st round and a 2nd round draft pick. The trade is a bit of a gamble but it certainly makes Toronto look better this upcoming season while giving Boston some future depth. The question is will Kessel be able to produce at the same level with lesser players?

Definitely a risky move but I hope it pays off.

Problem is, Toronto doesn't have a Marc Savard or Patrice Bergeron to feed passes to Kessel. Fortunately, Kessel is only 21 and has a bright future ahead of him. It's been a long time since the Leafs have had a young player with such skill that hasn't been traded for an aging veteran... *coug*Brad Boyes*cough* It is a steep price to pay, but outside of the top 10, the 2010 draft is pretty week and the 2011 draft is even weeker. So it hurts to lose picks, but we weren't guaranteed a top notch player anyway. Plus the additions of Hanson, Stalberg, Bozak, Slaney, Gustavsson, etc.. filled the "cupboard" back up a little, so trading mid 1st round picks is kinda ok.

Anyway, I like the trade. But will have to wait a while to see if it works out for either team. As Kessel wont play until at least November, and who knows how those draft picks turn out.

Also, Kessel signed a contract with the Leafs at 5 years 27 million.

A 21 year-old 36 goal scorer is a 21 year-old 36 goal scorer. But a draft pick could be anything, maybe even a 21 year-old 36 goal scorer.

You're right, but I can't help thinking that a move like this is a bit premature for Toronto. To me it makes more sense to go a year or two more focusing on acquiring (and keeping) draft picks and prospects, forsaking some success for picks and draft position.

Toronto looks like a fairly competitive team again but I'm not sure they're building a team with enough depth and trade assets to really challenge for the cup. To me they seem to be going back to a fringe playoff team which is what they were trying to move away from.

Spending big money and valuable future depth, on what generally could be the least important position (winger), I think is a move in the wrong direction.

Time will tell. Kessel is no doubt really talented, I just question the timing of this move.

I agree almost 100%, but you have to put into perspective how popular the Leafs are and how much money they lose (aren't making) from not being in the playoffs. As much as this is a re-building hockey team, it is also a buisness. The upper management in Toronto want the playoffs, as do the fans. I do not like giving up 3 high picks like this, but again these draft years are suppose to be pretty weak. What we need now though, is a number 1 center. A Ryan Getzlaf or a Eric Staal, Vinny, Mike Richards etc... we do have Nazem Kadri up and coming, but I see him more as a Jeff Carter type. Good, but not team building good.

Anyway, we shall see what happens. If Kessel is a flop and the Leafs continue to be cursed, well fuck me. I'll never give up on this team, but man-oh-man it's hard to be a Leafs fan.

Ya, with this Kessel add, Toronto definitely has a good chance to do better than Montreal this year. He's a great player (when he's not injured)- whether he'll be worth all those draft picks, only time can tell.

AND HOCKEY HAS STARTED! Exhibition hockey, it's true, so who cares, but going into bars and having hockey playing instead of baseball is so goddamn nice.

when he's not injured? He's only ever been injured once?

oh and how's Kovalev lookin' this year?

Well, I mean, Kessel was injured a good part of last season, and didn't really recover (nearly all his goals came before the injury), and now he's injured again. He's obviously a very young player so he hasn't been injured too often, obviously, but injuries like that can sideline a player's career, and make the player prone to even more injuries. I hope that doesn't happen, because even though Kessel has always played for the enemy (Boston and now TO) I like him, but it's the biggest worry I'd have if I were a Toronto fan- the same might be said for Komisarek, though once again, I only wish him the best.

Kovalev is looking good this year, as always. No, he might not have a 90 point season, but since he's not expected to be Ottawa's top player, like he was in Montreal, I think he'll do very well. I wish he was back on Montreal, but here we are.

Oh shit, hockey season is not far off, damn I'm ready for it!

Isn't the injury to Kessel the same reason why he's out now, rotator cuff surgery? I may be wrong on this, but I am pretty sure. Anyway, he says he is feeling good and Burke says he will be fine. He is 21 and just put up 36 goals, the leafs have not had this type of hope in a long time. Stop trying to rain on our parade.

Well, it's the same injury, but he was out for a while, came back, and re-agitated it again. Sorry that I'm raining on your parade or whatever, but injury prone players are a legitimate concern- one major injury often leads to another, and that to another- ask any athlete or even someone who plays hockey for recreation. A major injury can also affect a player's game, as it did for Kessel and Komisarek last year, though hopefully they both just hadn't fully recovered and will be better this year. Kessel is once again a great player and I hope for the best for him, but plugging your ears to the possible downside of a trade isn't exactly good hockey analysis, DW, especially when your team has given up quite a lot for him.

I understand what you are saying, as I have been following it closely and learnign what I can about Kessel. I know that shoulder injuries are hard to overcome and easy to re-injur, but the trade just happened. Most Leaf fans are still in a state of euphoria, if the injuries continue when he's back in November/December then I will consider it a concern, but right now all coaching staff, management and even Kessel himself say everything is ok. As for Komi, he's looked great in the pre-season so far. A born leader. It's weird going from hating the guy to loving him, but i'm sure glad we have him.

Wayne Gretzky steps down as head coach of the Pheonix (Hamilton) Coyotes. Former Dallas Stars head coach, Dave Tippet, expected to be announced as new head coach of the Coyotes.

Olaf Kolzig, the life-long Capital (sorta), has announced his retirement from the NHL after 13 seasons.

Long time Montreal Canadien d-man, Patrice Brisebois, has annoucned his retirement after 18 seasons in the NHL.

Kolzig retires as a Leaf!

It's every hockey players dream.

Any of you hardcore hockey fans watch Chicago get whipped by Zurich? It seems surreal. I don't follow hockey, but this is like a once-in-a-lifetime thing

Whipped? The score was 2-1.

The season is almost upon us! WOO WOO

2-1 = whipping

9-2 win by them over HC Davos was a whipping