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Kessel Finally Forces Bruins' Hand, Trades Self to Maple Leafs |
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Here we stand on the cusp of 2009-10, a season which the Boston Bruins will enter with expectations superseding any felt in the Hub of Hockey in decades. Many a fan hoped this would be the year they'd go for it all, throwing caution to the wind, gambling that this talented bunch could capture a cup before the salary cap reared it's ugly head. They hoped GM Peter Chiarelli would be able to, as they say, keep the band together. He vowed time and time again to put forth his best effort to do so.
But on Friday night, after seeing RFA Phil Kessel shipped to Toronto for a trio of draft picks, followed by the announcement of a $5.4 million dollar salary for the high scoring winger over the next five seasons, fans now realize that their hopes stood no chance of ever materializing. Not with that kind of a price tag dangling from the likes of a 21-year-old who was coming off of his first 20+ goal season. By refusing to come within a lunar mile of Chiarelli's financial limits to retain the talented winger, Kessel all but voluntarily punched his ticket out of town.
Nothing riles a knowledgeable fan base more than watching one of their beloved stars turn their back on not only them, but a group of teammates poised to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup. Had Kessel lowered his demands, Chiarelli likely would've found room by trading an important but not critical piece of the puzzle, namely RW Chuck Kobasew. But with Kessel seeking a payday in another stratosphere, the B's would've had to not only sacrifice now, parting ways with possibly Marc Savard, Patrice Bergeron or Michael Ryder, but suffer the consequences later with Kessel consuming nearly 10% of their cap space.
As painful as it is to watch the budding superstar depart, one B's fans have witnessed overcome a playoff benching, a bout with mono, and a battle with cancer, a realistic fan must be able to discern this from the old "typical Bruins" way of business. There was no smear campaign, no low-balling, no disrespect. Phil Kessel was undoubtedly offered an amount of money that you and I can only dream about, with even more potentially around the corner if he equaled or exceeded the success he had in 2008-09 throughout the contract. Instead, he balked at the offer, electing to walk away from the chance to once again flank arguably the greatest setup man in the league.
Now sit and think about that for a second. You sir (or ma'am), are Phil Kessel. The team that drafted you and stood by you through thick and thin has offered you a large sum of money. They've asked you to resume your role on their top line, where you will be the go-to guy for a team many have picked as a favorite to go the distance. You are beloved by the city and the legion of Bruins' fans across the globe. You have possibly the greatest chance of your life to help carry a team through the postseason and to a championship awaiting you. What could ever possess you to spurn such an offer?
Neither the Black and Gold nor Brian Burke and the Leafs are shellacking anyone in this deal. In fact, it's a bold move on both of their parts, one that takes major cojones to follow through with. Chiarelli parts with his team's leading goal scorer from a year ago, in exchange for three lottery tickets, better known as draft picks in hockey circles. Meanwhile Burke must introduce Kessel, a quiet, borderline introverted individual, and his new bloated, lengthy contract, to the most ferocious horde of media members in the hockey universe. The chances of Phil not falling into a pressure-provoked funk are likely no higher than the odds of a jockey winning the NBA's slam dunk contest.
On December 5th, the Maple Leafs and their heavily retooled roster will make their first visit to the city of Boston. For months, fans have had the date marked on their calendar, as it will be the first time that Milan Lucic and former Canadien Mike Komisarek meet to exchange pleasantries in 2009-10. The defenseman boiled their blood on numerous occasions with his questionable on-ice antics, and helped give birth to a rivalry within a rivalry with Lucic, a cult hero around these parts. But now, Mr. Komisarek will have to retreat to the back burner as stomachs will turn over the sight of #81 coming out of the visitor's runway. Hearts will ache seeing the franchise's perennial leading goal scorer of the future take to the ice for a division rival. Clenched fists will rise in the air, united, in anger.
It didn't have to end this way. Phil Kessel could have remained part of the core, a key cog to build around for years to come in the city of Boston. He could've helped bring the organization it's first championship in nearly four long, arduous decades. He could've ruled this town, representing the Black and Gold at All Star Game after All Star Game, contending for the Maurice "Rocket" Richard trophy season after season. His efforts and accomplishments over the next decade and beyond would've meant the world to championship-starved fans of the B's. With $27 million making it's way to his bank account over the next five years, however, we now know what really matters to Phil Kessel.
JC
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