Now, for what the Penguins gave up. I really like Kasperi Kapanen and Scott Harrington, but they are beans compared to what the rumors were. Jim Rutherford was able to land a huge scoring winger without giving up his two best pieces in Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot. That is not big. That is not huge. That is HUMUNGOUS!!!! Rutherford keeps the defensive core together and adds the big winger needed. He also sends Nick Spaling and his bad 2.2 million dollar contract to Toronto to. That's great as well. I liked Spaling, but a fourth line center shouldn't make that much and that frees up enough money to allow the Pens to add another piece or two in free agency. As for the picks, picks are picks. Sometimes you hit a homerun and sometimes you strikeout. Its worth a chance at this point and they only gave up two picks and got one back. It is fair. There are conditions to the draft picks involved, they are as follows:
What We Are Getting In Kessel
First, Kessel is a bonafide scorer. There have never been questions about whether this guy could score or not. He is a pure sniper and he is the replacement for James Neal's shooting skills in the Penguins top six. Here are the numbers on Kessel:
- For his career: 668 games played, 247 goals, 520 points, 18:16 average ice time, 66 PP goals, 155 PP points
- 2014-15 (with Toronto): 82 games played, 25 goals, 61 points
- Best Year (2013-14 w/TOR): 82 games played, 37 goals, 80 points
The guy sure can score, but what is overlooked is his durability. Though many hockey fans poke fun at Kessel's physique, ofter referring to his "Dad Bod," he has played in every single game for the Leafs over the last five seasons. Not bad for a guy that has been openly criticized for his physique. Also huge for a Penguins team that has lost several of its big players over the last few years to injury.
Next up, his big game performances. He hasn't had a ton of big game performances in a Leafs sweater the last few years, but Kessel has a track record of playing well in big games. For example, the two-time US Olympian has posted six goals and ten points over the last two Olympics for the United States. Also, Kessel has a very impressive track record in the postseason. In 22 career playoff games, he has scored 13 goals and 21 points. If he can continue that point-per-game pace in the playoffs in Pittsburgh, we may finally beat the Rangers.
Finally, the Pens get a top-six winger for the life of the Malkin, Crosby contracts. Kessel will not become an unrestricted free agent until 2021-22, so he will likely be part of the franchise for the next seven seasons. He has a modified no-movement clause, meaning he can supply a list of teams he would accept a trade to every season. The 27-year-old will have an AAV of 6.75 million, which is a pretty fair deal for a legitimate top six winger.
My Thoughts on Kessel, the Move
- I did not want to trade Olli Maatta or Derrick Pouliot in any deal. I view both of those guys as the foundation of the Pens next great run. They will be what Brooks Orpik and Kris Letang were to the Cup teams of 2008, 2009 and I would have hated to lose one of them because there is really no replacing them. They are both only 20 years old and they are only going to get better.
- I hate, hate, hate Kessel's contract. It is not necessarily the term, though I think seven years is pretty long for him, but it was the average annual value of 8 million. I think that is too much money for a guy who never broke the forty goal mark in a season. Granted, he has come close and hasn't played with the same caliber of player as Malkin or Crosby, but that is a lot especially for a team that several big contracts already.
- I do not like what I have heard about his attitude. I won't say I don't like his work ethic, that's a completely different thing than attitude. The Pens traded James Neal because he was a supposed "Locker Room Cancer," and Kessel's reputation makes Neal look like a choir boy. Now, maybe a change of scenery and being out of Toronto will end all that speculation, but until I see it I will continue to have that reservation.
Now, all that being said, and all my previous thoughts aside, this is a solid pickup for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Kessel is a bonafide scorer who alongside Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby should break forty goals easily.
He is durable, which is something the Penguins haven't had in years and he is good on the power play as well.
As I said above, I will still have my reservations about his attitude, but I will eat my hat if he proves me wrong. I'd be glad to do it too if he helps us win.
Now, as for where he plays. Ultimately, I think he will end up playing with Sidney Crosby next season. Let's face it, when the Pens get a new toy, Sid gets him before Geno. That being said, I think Kessel would fit well with Geno too and I'd like to see him with Malkin. In fact, Darryl Belfrey told ESPN's Craig Custance the following:
Finally, the deal gets my blessing because no Pouliot/Maatta invovled and the Leafs will retain money every year on the deal. It allows the Pens some flexibility to keep adding to the team which, of course, is better for the team in the long run. I wouldn't have been on board if those two things didn't happen.
With that in mind, there really is nothing else to say but welcome to Pittsburgh, Phil Kessel!