The Leafs are desperately trying to get rid of Phaneuf, no one wants him. Carlyle wants rid of him and Grabo, Tan a BUM, wanted Reimer and Scrivens out of the net. And Kessel for sure is gone if we do not sign Bozak.
So next season is going to be a big season for MLSE and Tan a BUM. Cause when we lose Kessel (if we don't sign Bozak) we should be really lousy the following year, which would set up us nicely for Connor McDavid. But next year, could be the best year the Leafs have in a long time, since the big years.
Dreger doesn't read forum ice, everyone at MLSE knows that Kessel gave MLSE an eight years at the maximum league salary contract, AND when MLSE did not even respond, the agent for Kessel withdrew the offer and now doesn't even want to talk about Kessel coming back.
Yes, it could be a tactic, but if Kessel doesn't get the league max from the Leafs, he could be gone and get us NOTHING in return, Chris Bosh all over again. And if Bozak is gone on top of it, he is further gone.