What's up with Phil Kessel?

What's this guy's status? H'es RFA with Boston, but it doesn't appear that Boston has any intentions of resigning him.He's goten progressively better since entering the league- and could quite possibly have a breakout this year.What's he worth? 5? I woudl LOVE to throw him on the left side with Spezza and Kovalev/Alfie, could you imagine that?

If we could only get rid of Heatley...

Boston in a 3way trade for a signed Kessel? Hmm...I wonder how that would work, but it'd be FANTASTIC.

5M is way too much for Kessell at this point in his career.

I would think more in the 3-4 range like Parise and Krejci.

apparently Kessel is kept very much in the dark as well according to sportsnet. not much in the article, so won't be posting it because all it states is he wants to play for Team USA, not sure what is going on with the B's

The Toronto Sun has an aptly titled article on Phil Kessel...

"If something is Bruin in Beantown, Kessel doesn't know"

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/08/19/10509556-sun.html

Too true.

shabbs wrote:The Toronto Sun has an aptly titled article on Phil Kessel...

"If something is Bruin in Beantown, Kessel doesn't know"

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/08/19/10509556-sun.html

Too true.

that must be where sportsnet is getting their headline from, sheesh, they can't even come up with their own stories now, that is horrible :^^^^:

RobbyJ wrote:5M is way too much for Kessell at this point in his career.

I would think more in the 3-4 range like Parise and Krejci.

And I don't think he's as good as either of those players (especially not ZP).

They are right to stick to their guns. Diddle you little man, here's 3.5 X 2. Be happy you're alive - and happy you're playing in the NHL.

To borrow from the Wings: "It is a privilege to play for the Wings, not a right."

SpezDispenser wrote:They are right to stick to their guns. Diddle you little man, here's 3.5 X 2. Be happy you're alive - and happy you're playing in the NHL.

To borrow from the Wings: "It is a privilege to play for the Wings, not a right."

A little harsh SD. The guy overcame cancer and is still playing hockey at an elite level. That should be applauded. He shouldn't have to 'settle'.

Kessel was a big part of the Bruins run last year- scored 36 goals in 70 games- that's nothing to shake a stick at. He can also play both wings, and has a Diddle laser of a shot- which is a HUGE plus for any hockey club.

I'd say he's absolutely worth every penny at 3.5, and I'd even pay 4 to get his services short term.

I'd go 3.5 for sure, 4M would require a 4 year committent (not like Heatley's version of committment).

Jordo wrote:
A little harsh SD. The guy overcame cancer and is still playing hockey at an elite level. That should be applauded. He shouldn't have to 'settle'.

Kessel was a big part of the Bruins run last year- scored 36 goals in 70 games- that's nothing to shake a stick at. He can also play both wings, and has a Diddle laser of a shot- which is a HUGE plus for any hockey club.

I'd say he's absolutely worth every penny at 3.5, and I'd even pay 4 to get his services short term.

It's fantastic, I've applauded it many times, but the days of RFAs demanding 5+ million should be over by all rationales. Wait until you're a UFA, then cash in.

Or is it that he doesn't think he'll still be good? And if that's the case, isn't that nerve-wracking for Boston?

RobbyJ wrote:I'd go 3.5 for sure, 4M would require a 4 year committent (not like Heatley's version of committment).

There, that's probably the most fair agreement for both sides. 16 million over 4 years and he comes out as a UFA (I believe). Both sides should be happy.

He's reportedly asking for a long-term deal at $5.5M/season. It's gonna be tough for him to get that.

Could he have taken the Bruins to arbitration since he's an RFA?

shabbs wrote:He's reportedly asking for a long-term deal at $5.5M/season. It's gonna be tough for him to get that.

Could he have taken the Bruins to arbitration since he's an RFA?

I believe that an RFA only has arbitration rights, if they are still RFA status but not in their entry level deal. In other words, somewhere in years 4-6. I am also under the impression that a player can only ever be eligible once for arbitration.

I'm not positive, but this is what I understand.

shabbs wrote:He's reportedly asking for a long-term deal at $5.5M/season. It's gonna be tough for him to get that.

Could he have taken the Bruins to arbitration since he's an RFA?

That's more of what I mean in that post. He should feel lucky that he's NHL ready after all he's been through - and that he's very good - and that he's on one of the top teams. 5.5? No. That's not fair to the team that supported you through the cancer. It's silly as well because the Bruins' can't do it.

Can't he wait to cash in? He doesn't have arb rights this year. I don't understand his stance?

Watch, he'll sign for 2.5 X 2 and everyone will laugh at all this.