Kessel signs long term extension (8 yrs, 64M, 8M AAV)

[GhostofPotvin29]

Mirtle tweeted these stats out, but since the trade only 6 players have more goals than Kessel (Stamkos, Ovechkin, Perry, Marleau, Iginla, Kovalchuk) and in the last two years only Stamkos, Malkin and Giroux have more points.

 

[Zee]

With this extension the Leafs top forwards are set for at least 5 years.  Kessel, Lupul, Clarkson, JVR and Bozak all under contract for the next 5 seasons...the new Muskoka 5?

 

[Kin]

I know it gets used a lot, but I also believe for Phaneuf, he would see an increase in sponsor revenue playing for the Leafs IMO. That has to mean something in the grand scheme of things, no?

He is one of the very few players I've seen do commercials of any sort of scale but I suspect that his endorsement money wouldn't compare to even the most nominal raise by NHL standards.

 

[maplesyrup]

With this extension the Leafs top forwards are set for at least 5 years.  Kessel, Lupul, Clarkson, JVR and Bozak all under contract for the next 5 seasons...the new Muskoka 5?

Go blow yourself up. 

 

[Zee]

With this extension the Leafs top forwards are set for at least 5 years.  Kessel, Lupul, Clarkson, JVR and Bozak all under contract for the next 5 seasons...the new Muskoka 5?

Go blow yourself up. 

;D ;D What you don't like Muskoka?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Not that I have a ton of hope for this but I wonder if Phaneuf, given his position as Captain and because of all of the salary-related criticism he's faced as a Leaf, would be inclined to take a relatively less lucrative deal and save himself some of that headache. I don't think he's got an obligation to do it but considering the mixed feelings many still have on his Captaincy, I could see it being a decision he'd consider.

This is a more eloquent and explanatory way of expressing my thoughts, but there is so many variables to that, that I just called it a hunch.

I also think he is very comfortable in Toronto, his wife could most likely stick around more often, being that Toronto is kind of the Canadian hub of the movie industry. I know it gets used a lot, but I also believe for Phaneuf, he would see an increase in sponsor revenue playing for the Leafs IMO. That has to mean something in the grand scheme of things, no?

I think being the Captain of an original six franchise is probably a very strong pull to remain with the team, rather than go somewhere else where he very likely would not be the Captain.  Beyond all the endorsement stuff and material value that goes along with it - it's probably a huge ego boost for anyone to Captain the Leafs.  It's probably not something you want to easily walk away from.  In addition, he's right around the age of most of the team's core, so it's not like a Calgary situation either where there were older and younger guys allegedly clashing.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

In addition, he's right around the age of most of the team's core, so it's not like a Calgary situation either where there were older and younger guys allegedly clashing.

I think most of the players on our team think this is a pretty good situation. Bozak didn't seem like he even took any calls from other teams, when he could have held the Leafs a bit hostage.

I think being the Captain of an original six franchise is probably a very strong pull to remain with the team, rather than go somewhere else where he very likely would not be the Captain.  Beyond all the endorsement stuff and material value that goes along with it - it's probably a huge ego boost for anyone to Captain the Leafs.  It's probably not something you want to easily walk away from.

I would think that is a pretty big factor.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

All and all, I think this was one of the easiest contracts to predict. It was always going to be around 8 x 8 IMO.

 

[Kin]

All and all, I think this was one of the easiest contracts to predict. It was always going to be around 8 x 8 IMO.

I don't know. I think the market bears that out to some degree or another but I think it was a valid question as to whether or not the TSN read on him or the various statistical measurements that people here are citing would win out.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

All and all, I think this was one of the easiest contracts to predict. It was always going to be around 8 x 8 IMO.

I don't know. I think the market bears that out to some degree or another but I think it was a valid question as to whether or not the TSN read on him or the various statistical measurements that people here are citing would win out.

What would Brian Burke say? Would the difference at the end be all that far away from between 7.5-8.5 and 8 years? I don't think so. Kessel hasn't regressed, sorry plateaued, so who knows what he's capable of? I think he still has more goals to give.

Anyway, I think he was always getting at least 8 million.

 

[Kin]

Would the difference at the end be all that far away from between 7.5-8.5 and 8 years?

No, but I think within that range there's a pretty big swing in terms of how players, especially how a pending UFA, might rank. That Kessel would make less than Getzlaf/Perry, I think, was never a sure thing.

 

[Redleaf]

Ok. Now we can trade Bozak for a proper number one center. 

 

[Champ Kind]

Fantastic news.  Losing Kessel, even if in trade for futures, would have been bad, real bad.  For the first time in quite some time, and what would have seemed almost unbelieveable just a few years ago, the Leafs have five legit Top 6 forwards: two of whom are well within the Top 10 at their position and two others who are on the cusp.

I don't want to overstate things, but there has been a definite growth and maturation in Kessel.  He's standing up for himself (albeit illegally), playing hard in big games, and elevating the play of those around him.  Great, great news.

 

[ZBBM]

Everyone loves Kessel at around 8 mil for 8 years and why not?

Not everyone.

I have real qualms about locking the long-term future of this team into a combo of Kessel & Phaneuf, if he's the next on their list.  IMO each is too flawed to be the core of a real contender.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Would the difference at the end be all that far away from between 7.5-8.5 and 8 years?

No, but I think within that range there's a pretty big swing in terms of how players, especially how a pending UFA, might rank. That Kessel would make less than Getzlaf/Perry, I think, was never a sure thing.

I guess that's true, you can't predict when crazy happens, or at least to what degree. I was convinced that Clarkson wouldn't get into the 5 million a year figure, so...

 

[maplesyrup]

Everyone loves Kessel at around 8 mil for 8 years and why not?

Not everyone.

I have real qualms about locking the long-term future of this team into a combo of Kessel & Phaneuf, if he's the next on their list.  IMO each is too flawed to be the core of a real contender.

I guess Kessel being a bad interview really hurts his stock, eh?  Honestly though, apart from that, I'm okay with Kessel as a core player on my team.       

 

[Peter D.]

I figured if Kessel showed a desire to remain a Leaf, it would be a relatively easy negotiation.  Great to have Phil around for the long haul.

 

[Champ Kind]

Everyone loves Kessel at around 8 mil for 8 years and why not?

Not everyone.

I have real qualms about locking the long-term future of this team into a combo of Kessel & Phaneuf, if he's the next on their list.  IMO each is too flawed to be the core of a real contender.

I guess Kessel being a bad interview really hurts his stock, eh?  Honestly though, apart from that, I'm okay with Kessel as a core player on my team.     

+1

At roughly this time last year, I would have preferred to pay Corey Perry $8M  and let Kessel go.  A lot can change in a year, I guess, and a lot can change when the team around the core player improves.  I feel very confident moving forward with Phil Kessel as the go-to guy on the team.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Everyone loves Kessel at around 8 mil for 8 years and why not?

Not everyone.

I have real qualms about locking the long-term future of this team into a combo of Kessel & Phaneuf, if he's the next on their list.  IMO each is too flawed to be the core of a real contender.

I guess Kessel being a bad interview really hurts his stock, eh?  Honestly though, apart from that, I'm okay with Kessel as a core player on my team.     

I'd say Kessel has been working quite hard at his flaws.  He's a MUCH better player now than he was a couple of years ago and I'm happy to keep him at the price they are talking. 

Phaneuf has learned to keep his game a little simpler and its definitely made him a steadier defenseman- that said, I agree he has his flaws (foot speed and reaction time) but he's still a legit top pairing defenseman.  I'm just not sure if I want him if he's asking more than 6.5 million on his next deal though.  He's already the 8th highest paid defenseman in this league and doesn't deserve to move up that ladder.

 

[Kin]

Everyone loves Kessel at around 8 mil for 8 years and why not?

Not everyone.

I have real qualms about locking the long-term future of this team into a combo of Kessel & Phaneuf, if he's the next on their list.  IMO each is too flawed to be the core of a real contender.

I agree with that to one extent or another but in a strict pay for performance sense of things I think this deal is about right.