Kessel is another nice "piece" type of guy for any teams top 6, but you're trading 2 pieces for one franchise guy.
Again, not a bad proposal, but if it came down to it I thikn you'd see someone offering up a guy of Kessel or Phaneufs caliber, plus a top prospect and picks.
Who knows though. I've seen guys traded out of nowhere for way less than I thought they were worth.
YA, I don't see more than 1 or 2 teams being able to match that offer.
Actually I doubt anyone would.
Even EDM who can afford to give up youth like MPS and Eberle can't offer the Kings a 3 time NHL proven 30 goal scorer who is only 24yrs old plus a solid 2 way D-man who can log 26min a night.
The Kings are in "WIN NOW" mode and will be for the next several years with Kopitar and Richards down the middle. Kessel and Phaneuf fit their needs perfectly.
Would DET give up Zetterberg and Kronwall?
THe Leafs have the depth at D and the youth movement to be able to offer such a package. The price for Kessel was high, but Phaeuf was basically free when you factor in Aulie but I thnk when you add it all up; What the Leafs gave up to get Kessel and Phaneuf is offset easily by Doughty and Aulie.
Basically I see the immediate impact of Kessel and Phaneuf to be more valuable to the Kings than the future and uncertain impact of highend prospects.
It really works:
Different conference.
Kings replace Doughty and gain 30+ goal winger.
Leafs get elite player.
The Kings maintain future while improving the immediate.
The Leafs hold off for one more year but add a true cornerstone piece.
Doughty, Aulie, Schenn and Gardiner would be the best top 4 in the league in 2013.
TBH the play of Gardiner almost makes me want to rescind my intial offer. But I will still make a case for it.
Doughty may well be this generation's Ray Bourque and I will pay a steep price to get him.