The case for Kessel

How would you improve the Leafs?

Would you do something bold like trade Phil Kessel?

If not. Why not?

Kessel is the team's highest valued chip. He's young. And for how much he produces right now, a relative bargain. For team's looking to put the cherry on top, Kessel would be the ultimate. For team's like the Leafs, stuck somewhere between bad and mediocre and maybe looking to overhaul their on-ice culture, Kessel's talents are misplaced. He's not the guy to build round. Non-physical, detached, periphery players never are. The Leafs don't need augmentation. They need someone to fire up the ignition. That's not Phil Kessel. 

Peak value

Number 81 will most likely wind up the campaign with 40 goals and 80 plus points. Career highs. So why pedal him? Well, if Jake Gardiner, the kids on the farm and any draft picks are meant to be protected, Kessel is the most attractive piece to move. And considering what he'll have accomplished, his worth will no doubt be at an all-time high. Again, I think he's a terrific offensive player. And one I believe more easily transferred into something of higher need than transitioned.

Depends

If Brian Burke thinks he's a tweak here and tweak there away from getting this team closer to the playoffs, than Kessel's value might be best placed flanking someone in Blue and White. But if the embattled GM thinks it's time to dramatically modify the plan, than a Kessel blockbuster should be considered. He could at least put it out there, can't he? Besides, how, where and with what else is he going to make a splash this off-season? The free-agent market boasts goods resembling depression-like levels. Plus Burke's already got a ton of dough tied up in guys he'd only be able to ship out if accompanied by something more useful and enticing.

Oh, what to do... to make the Leafs smarter, tougher, better?

How about trade the team's best player?

Being the best of the one of the worst hasn't exactly worked out yet.

Hey, it's just an idea.

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