Don't Let the Door Hit You On the Way Out

The Boston Bruins, it seems, were determined to give Phil Kessel a swift kick in the drawers on his way out of The Hub.

He didn't want to play in Boston. He demanded a trade. He didn't train hard enough. He wouldn't backcheck. He hadn't forgiven the team for benching him during the 2008 playoffs. Claude Julien was mean to him. He was greedy. He was untruthful in denying ever asking for an exit visa out of town.

These were some of the grenades launched at Kessel over the weekend from Boston management after the trade that sent him from the Bruins to the Maple Leafs for two first round picks and a second.

Clearly, this was a trade Boston GM Peter Chiarelli didn't want to make but was forced into making by circumstance and the unrelenting pressure of Leafs GM Brian Burke. Burke's public acknowledgment that he had an offer sheet waiting for Kessel put a chill on the Kessel market that Chiarelli couldn't thaw. Teams like Minnesota and Nashville had interest in the speedy winger but weren't about to give up prospects and picks and then not be guaranteed to get the player.

So, after the trade, Chiarelli had to present the Bruins case in as positive a light as possible after initially refusing to make any comment at all on the day of the deal. His No. 1 priority was to make a strong argument that this trade wasn't about the Bruins being cheap and not wanting to pay Kessel, an accusation that was lobbed at the team for years.

Kessel, says Chiarelli, demanded a trade and wouldn't negotiate a contract, so that was that. Indications are that was indeed the situation, and Kessel's statement that he "never once" demanded a trade was really just semantics. Whether his agent made the demand or whether his unwillingness to talk contract was a passive aggressive strategy, it really doesn't matter now.

Clearly, Julien's coaching style was part of the issue, and so the most fascinating part of Kessel's career as a Leaf when it begins in two months or so will be how he and Ron Wilson are able to forge a working relationship. Wilson's a demanding coach, and he can be caustic and pointed in his public and private remarks when he feels it is warranted. San Jose officials make no bones about the fact they believe Wilson's riding of Patrick Marleau retarded Marleau's development.

Understand this. While Wilson and Burke are friends from years back, Burke now has more personal prestige invested in Kessel being successful than in Wilson, a coach Burke didn't hire. The Leaf GM will hope Wilson and Kessel get along very well, but it's a great deal more difficult to find top six forwards than head coaches.

Moreover, the three of them - Burke, Wilson and Kessel - may all be involved on the American entry in this winter's Olympics in Vancouver. They better all be able to work together.

Comments

[JWV]

What a great trade...for Boston. Phil Kessel has had one good season. Who does Toronto have that can spoon feed him pucks the way that Marc Savard does? But, that does not stop the Leafs from signing him to a contract that will pay him more than 5 million per season. Doesn't Burke know that the salary cap is supposed to go down next season? And, there are no guarantees that the Leafs will be any better. Those first round picks could be top five picks. It is interesting to note that the Bruins made sure to lock up David Krecji, who is a better all-around player than Kessel.

[John Bastedo]

Damien,

Good call. That is a drama waiting to happen.

When we talk about this trade, though everyone says "two 1sts and a 2nd". Isn't it really two 1sts and two 2nds, since Burke had to deal two 2nds in the first place to get his 2010 2nd rounder and have offer sheet leverage to cut out other bidders? You were pretty particular about the picks involved in the Luke Schenn move up, so maybe you could help point out the true cost of Kessel is greater than most seem to be recognizing.

J.

[Calvin]

Mr Cox a little investigating would tell you that Boston decided they did not want Kessel back, Claude felt he was to soft. I was told this by his son-in-law right after the play-offs. Boston never had any intentions of keeping him but would have preferred a trade for a defenceman. He is a very soft palyer, bad shoulders and not a team player. He has alot of talent and should fit in with his American Bosses. Time for the NHL to step on Burke to much tampering if not exactally illegal it is sure close to it. Burn to many bridges and you may find yourself standed on an Island.

[Johnnyk]

No coach would give Sid the Kid only 15 minutes a game. Sid's a gamer way beyond his stats. We'll see if Kessel is a gamer or a stats og soon enough.
BTW, have they got anyone to stop the puck from going in the net yet?

[Ami Angelwings]

Wow somebody's a little touchy. xD Personal attacks? All I did was criticize your arguments. Also I'm not a "typical Leaf" fan, I'm not even a fan of the team right now (Raptors fan tyvm), I just found your argument to be illogical. This isn't about "you vs them" or nething, it's your argument. You're saying a 21 year old that scored 36 goals is unproven and not building for the future unlike 2 draft picks that you know absolutely nothing about who would be only 2 or 3 years further from their career peak.

But if you want to keep up the "you're wrong cuz you're a LEAF FAN" you can... this isn't about who is a fan and who isn't, it's just that your argument seems to be a bit of an over reaction considering the circumstances.

[Dave C.]

Apparently Damien, your stint on the reporters has clearly dumbed you down...This looks more like a Steve Simmons column (All speculation, no quotes, no named sources). Your Journalism Prof is clearly frowning.
Kessel is 21 years old, had 36 goals last year. Goggle Kessel and try to find him saying something bad about the Bruins. All he needs is a coach to talk to him, and I think Wilson will do that and make him into a better player. Everyone learns from their mistakes, do you think what's invested here that Wilson and Kessel won't at least try to find common ground? This kid has the one the best wrist shots in the league and maybe the best on the Leafs since Lanny or Wendel.
BTW..there is nothing wrong with Marleau..he's an All-Star, could potentally make Team Canada...so how is that a retardation?

[Socrates]

Have any of you considered that the Leafs are over loaded with Defensemenand will probably make more moves before the next draft that will replace some of those picks? Possibly to lesser teams with better draft positions. Let's see a full season before everyone condemns (or praises) Burke to H-E-Double hockey sticks!

[realistic]

Brian Jurke has accomplished three things.
1. He has made the Leafs a playoff contender this year.
2. He has ensured that they will be mediocre for the next 5-6 years and will not be a stanley cup contender. Making the playoffs is far different from being a contender.
3. He has bolstered the Boston Bruins chances of making a strong cup run.
This is the dumbest trade since Toskala for a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and take Mark Bell... or since the Rask for Raycorft trade.. or since the Kurvers for Niedermayer trade, or since the Courtnall for Kordic trade. This one will rank right up there. Thanks for nothing Burke. You just made the Boston Bruins a stanley cup contender! (they will be using those leaf picks to bolster their lineup at the deadline)