Phil Kessel Trade: Did The Maple Leafs Get Fair Value?

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Jan 25, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Team Foligno forward Phil Kessel (81) of the Toronto Maple Leafs controls the puck against Team Toews defenseman Shea Weber (6) of the Nashville Predators in the second period in the 2015 NHL All Star Game at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Chiasson

No, they didn’t.

It’s pretty safe to say the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted Phil Kessel traded more than they let on.

It’s not an entirely terrible deal, but it’s definitely not fair value for an elite goal scorer like Phil Kessel. Had the Maple Leafs not retained any salary, or kept the 2nd round pick, this deal would be closer to fair value – but still a bit off.

Kasperi Kapanen is the best forward prospect the Pittsburgh Penguins had – but put this perspective. The Penguins have one of the worst prospect pools in the NHL because of constant deadline deals. Kapanen is a big fish in a small pond, and the Leafs are putting a lot of chips down in his future success at the NHL level.

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Scott Harrington is a familiar face for Mark Hunter, but he’s no top-pairing projection so there’s still significant work to be done on his development.

Part of the problem I have with this deal is where Kessel went. It’s plausible that the Penguins pick ends up being the 30th overall if they finally remain healthy for a season. That’s simply not good enough value in a first round pick for Phil Kessel.

I do believe in what the front office is doing and I trust Mark Hunter and Kyle Dubas to seek out talent and good fits, but they missed the boat on this deal and Pittsburgh walks away with a shiny new toy for Sidney Crosby – this one already established as a premier player.

In the end, the Leafs should have waited to trade Kessel. His value wasn’t going to decline any more than it had (apparently) already. Until we see where Kapanen, Harrington and the first round pick fit with the team in 3-5 years this deal should be considered an accidental discharge from the rifle Shanahan used to gun down the entire scouting staff.

Next: Bozak Should Follow Kessel This Summer

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