As is this time of year, trade and free agent speculation runs rampant.
Any true hockey fan loves all the what ifs, because let's face it, it's a game and it's fun to imagine wild scenarios that could deeply impact the league and balance of power.
Word is there could be a lot of player movement at the NHL Draft, and for good reason.
With an extremely weak free agent pool this summer, it seems real quality can only be had via trade. Guys like Patrick Sharp and Dion Phaneuf are reportedly on the block, but the most valuable player seems to be Phil Kessel.
Kessel has been thought to be a target for Florida GM Dale Tallon for several months, and while this is all fine and dandy for the rumor mills, it doesn't make much sense.
Tallon is no stranger to wheeling and dealing, and if a trade made sense it is not out of the realm of possibility that Kessel could become a Panther this week. There will be a point, and maybe it's now, where Tallon will have to start dealing some of these highly-touted youngsters for established players that can put this organization over the top. It's a fragile situation for the Panthers right now, because they have to make the playoffs next season, especially financially.
That is why there is so much speculation about a "big" deal in the works for the Panthers. The Panthers were the most improved team in the NHL last year, and they are a deal or two away from being contenders. But as far as Kessel being that deal, I'm not buying it. For now at least. ;-)
Here are my top 4 reasons why there is no way Kessel brings his talents to Sunrise:
1) Salary- This one is the obvious reason, and although Florida loses a few overpaid players in Upshall and Kopecky, taking on an $8 million cap hit for the next 7 seasons does not make sense for a team looking at locking up young players such as Barkov, Huberdeau, and Ekblad to long-term deals over the next few years. Unless Brian Campbell and his $7.142 million per year contract were involved in some sort of deal, I just can't see it happening. But Campbell is only signed through next season, so even that wouldn't be enough.
2) Production- For all the accolades Kessel gets as a great player, the numbers don't show he's worth taking on at his salary. Yes, he's played on some bad Toronto teams for the last 6 years, but is this really worth $8 million?
To be fair, I would be shocked if Kessel was anywhere near a -34 in Mike Babcock's system, but reportedly Shanahan and Babcock don't care for the experiment.
Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant's system requires solid two-way games from his forwards. How long will it take to get tired of a career minus player not playing a solid all around game? While the Panthers definitely need more goal scorers, Kessel has only averaged just over 27 goals per year over his career. The Panthers arguably will have four or five 27-goal scorers on their roster next year. Would they add Kessel at such a high price for his, at best, marginal defense? Doubtful.
3) Jaromir Jagr- Jagr was more than advertised when he arrived before the trade deadline last season. His line with Huberdeau and Barkov revitalized the team, and Jagr's career. He consistently talked about what a joy it was to play with such talented, young players. At $3.5 million for next season, the Panthers already have their top line RW who plays a 2-way game. Will Jagr put up the numbers Kessel likely will next year on another team? Not likely, but maybe. How much "worse" will Jagr be next year while being $4.5 million cheaper? Would Kessel playing with Bjugstad on the 2nd line be a thing of beauty? Probably. But not at his price tag.
4) Dave Bolland contract- For all the good Dale Tallon has done in building the Panthers into one of the top rated organizations regarding depth, the Bolland contract at $5.5 million per year is the noose around Florida's neck to make any big deal like Kessel's a possibility. No matter what Bolland brings to the table on the ice and in the locker room he is not worth that size and length(signed through 2019) of contract. As the young guns come up for long-term deals his contract will hurt even more. The salary cap may continue to rise, but the Panthers are unlikely to be a cap team and having $13.5 million annually tied into Bolland and Kessel for the next 4 seasons just wouldn't make sense.
What do you think? Are these valid reasons for Tallon to say no to Kessel? Are there other reasons?
As always, I look forward to your comments. Thanks for reading.
Dan Spiegel Florida Panthers Media Follow me on Twitter Join the Florida Panthers Insiders FB Page Connect with me on Google Plus