Bruins Having Difficulties Signing Kessel
Larry Gasik is a web developer and hockey fanatic located in the suburbs of Chicago. Nearly any free time he has is spent playing and watching hockey. Just like any true hockey player, Larry spends a good portion of his summertime golfing.
It appears that Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is in no rush to sign young winger Phil Kessel. Kessel went into a shoulder surgery in May to repair a torn rotator cuff and does not plan to be ready for NHL action until mid-November. This lessens the pressure to get a new contract for him in place, even though Kessel plans on having a contract in place before the start of the season.
Claiming to have regained a 95% range of motion in the shoulder, he is not scheduled to get back on his skates until training camp. He currently is in Woodridge, Illinois for Team USA orientation camp, but is not participating in any on-ice events.
Kessel is rumored to be asking for approximately five million dollars a year based on his 60 points in 70 games. The Bruins do have salary cap issues, which could lead to the departure of Kessel through trade, or an offer sheet. There will have to be a departure of a forward for Boston, based on the recent addition of defensemen Derek Morris at $3.3 million.
The question is, what is a fair number for Kessel? There’s no questioning his offensive abilities, but it took Kessel three years to get to the 30 goal mark with Marc Savard on his line. He may end up becoming a causality of the salary cap.
If Brian Gionta can get $5M in Montreal, surely Boston can find a way to pay the kid. For crying out loud, he’s a 60 point player (in 70 games mind you) at only 21 years old. You’d have to be awfully cynical to assume that he’s hit his ceiling. He could very well be a point-per-game player for the rest of his career.
Also, casualty, not causality.
[Reply]
Chris -
Unfortunately, it is not as simple as, “Is Kessel worth $5 million?” This is the salary cap era where a team must have over 20 guys in under $56 million. I don’t know if you’ve heard but there are even more reports of the Bruins having a difficult time getting Kessel on board. With Toronto requiring their second round draft pick, all signs point to a potential offer sheet from Toronto.
I don’t think it is very fair to compare Gionta to Kessel. Gionta is an established veteran, with a Stanley Cup. I also believe that nearly every signing was an overpayment this summer, including Gionta. But the big difference is that Gionta was an unrestricted free agent, and could go anywhere he wanted. If Kessel wants to go play for Anahiem because he likes the weather, he has to hope they are willing to give up a lot for him. If a team wants Kessel, they’re going to lose draft picks and still have to pay Kessel, so it is more expensive for the other team.
And you’re right – he’s only in his early twenties and is going to improve. But the fact is, he is a restricted free agent which in theory should bring his salary down. He potted his goals with a center who is very good at making players around him better. He’s a great offensive talent, but Boston may need that money for other players.
Thanks for the comment, and I’ll watch my grammar and spelling.
[Reply]