Quoting: MG1986
It had been discussed by Elliotte Friedman, I believe it was Saturday, during the HNIC broadcast, but Bob Mackenzie yesterday verified that point.
Kk. If its just Elliote Friedman there is a 90% chance its pure speculation then.
Quoting: MG1986
We cannot have this conversation if you do not understand how prospects are valued, both league-wide amongst all 31 teams, and internally. But to answer your specific question, when you look at the Leafs depth, do you honestly believe Kapanen, a fringe top-6 on a good contract with control and lightning quick speed, has more value to the Leafs then a B+ right handed defensive prospect that basically will cost them the league minimum for the next 3 seasons, filling out a potential as part of their top-4, and someone who has improved his defensive game tremendously since joining the Marlies. The answer every time is yes, Liljegren is worth more to the Leafs than Kapanen and has higher trade value on the trade market because of his potential.
Yeah, anyone can have high "perceived value" to a club based on various reasons i.e. age, cap considerations, they like him and view him as a potential leader, etc., but I am talking strictly about objective value. In a vacuum, that Kapanen + package is worth more than Liljegren and probably Sandin. I understand why TOR may not wish to move those players, but that doesn't increase their objective value, only their perceived value to TOR.
In any event, Manson doesn't leave ANA without a young, promising prospect with top 4D upside coming the other way, likely with a + attached. We moved Montour for Guhle (young prospect with top 4 upside) + 1st and Manson is better than Montour. Manson is also well liked and we have no one coming through to replace him, so he also has very high perceived value to ANA (see how it can work both ways).