Phil Kessel

[ZBBM]

Jeez, people are rough on those guys.  They aren't supposed to be supermodels.

The jersey however ... kind of a retro '37 precursor to Saturday Nite Fever.

 

[mr grieves]

Kessel on his upcoming UFA status:

?It?s something I think all guys look forward to,? Kessel said of his potential free agency. ?You can choose where you want to play. I?ll see what happens.?
source: http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/11/kessel-still-not-talking-contract-extension-with-leafs/

 

[sneakyray]

Kessel on his upcoming UFA status:

?It?s something I think all guys look forward to,? Kessel said of his potential free agency. ?You can choose where you want to play. I?ll see what happens.?
source: http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/11/kessel-still-not-talking-contract-extension-with-leafs/

this quote worries me...and I'm surprised it took this long for someone to post.

 

[Corn Flake]

Boston just doesn't let up do they? (although I have to admit Phil's "Come Hither" look is pretty funny).

http://nesn.com/2013/08/phil-kessels-hilariously-awkward-team-usa-photo-making-its-way-around-internet-photo/

There's a Fabio / Kessel floating around too.

Actually all the Team USA pics are pretty funny, especially Dustin Brown

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/10-most-spectacularly-awkward-u-olympic-glamour-shots-190110715.html

Stastny is my favourite. Also, what's up with those uniforms?

Statsny looks like a Neanderthal.

The shots look like they were taken at a Wal Mart photo studio.  They managed to make top flight athletes look like sloppy out of shape bums with bad posture.

 

[Fanatic]

I am not crazy about that Kessel quote either.

Is it fair to say that one of two things will happen here?

1. Either Kessel is extended long term before Oct 1st or

2. He will be traded by the deadline.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Kessel on his upcoming UFA status:

?It?s something I think all guys look forward to,? Kessel said of his potential free agency. ?You can choose where you want to play. I?ll see what happens.?
source: http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/11/kessel-still-not-talking-contract-extension-with-leafs/

I'm not too concerned over a quote.  He seems like he was speaking in generalities regarding the general consensus of NHLers towards unrestricted free agency.  I don't see any reason why he wouldn't re-sign here if the Leafs really want him back.

 

[sneakyray]

Kessel on his upcoming UFA status:

?It?s something I think all guys look forward to,? Kessel said of his potential free agency. ?You can choose where you want to play. I?ll see what happens.?
source: http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/11/kessel-still-not-talking-contract-extension-with-leafs/

I'm not too concerned over a quote.  He seems like he was speaking in generalities regarding the general consensus of NHLers towards unrestricted free agency.  I don't see any reason why he wouldn't re-sign here if the Leafs really want him back.

I've heard all the nice quotes from him too though.  What I haven't heard is him say "I'd love to be here long term"...or something like "my agent will start discussing an extension" or anything like that.  It has been "we'll see what happens". 

And now he's saying that he is looking forward to free agency (he is part of all players)

I don't know...it just doesn't sit well with me.  I don't want him traded because the leafs will have a hell of a time getting anything close to equal value in return.

 

[Champ Kind]

I am not crazy about that Kessel quote either.

Is it fair to say that one of two things will happen here?

1. Either Kessel is extended long term before Oct 1st or

2. He will be traded by the deadline.

I'm not sure about the quote, either.  Potvin might be right, it might be a general statement, but the way the sentences are assembled my first inclination is to read this with a hint of pessimism.

My worry is that if Kessel is going to be moved at the deadline, I'm not sure the Leafs realize his true value or, at least, the value they likely could have received this off-season.

 

[moon111]

If Kessel says he'll never play anywhere else, it hurts his bargaining position. 

 

[sneakyray]

If Kessel says he'll never play anywhere else, it hurts his bargaining position.

That's fine but there are no indications from anyone that they've even talked about an extension yet.  I will say though that this could just be nit-picking a tiny quote too...like a few years ago when Kessel said it wasn't working and something would have to change and the media blew it up to be that he was asking for a trade.

That quote just made me raise an eyebrow.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

If Kessel says he'll never play anywhere else, it hurts his bargaining position.

That's fine but there are no indications from anyone that they've even talked about an extension yet.  I will say though that this could just be nit-picking a tiny quote too...like a few years ago when Kessel said it wasn't working and something would have to change and the media blew it up to be that he was asking for a trade.

That quote just made me raise an eyebrow.

I don't think it means much, not any more than this quote from yesterday saying he loves Toronto means he's going to stay:

?I love Toronto, I like the city, the fans are great here, but we?ll see what happens.

?I would prefer a longer-term extension because I want to be somewhere for a long period of time. But who knows? We?ll see what happens. To tell you the truth, I don?t know. I have no clue.?

 

[Champ Kind]

If Kessel says he'll never play anywhere else, it hurts his bargaining position.

That's fine but there are no indications from anyone that they've even talked about an extension yet.  I will say though that this could just be nit-picking a tiny quote too...like a few years ago when Kessel said it wasn't working and something would have to change and the media blew it up to be that he was asking for a trade.

That quote just made me raise an eyebrow.

I don't think it means much, not any more than this quote from yesterday saying he loves Toronto means he's going to stay:

?I love Toronto, I like the city, the fans are great here, but we?ll see what happens.

?I would prefer a longer-term extension because I want to be somewhere for a long period of time. But who knows? We?ll see what happens. To tell you the truth, I don?t know. I have no clue.?

Thanks for this, Potvin.  Just Phil being Phil and talking in Phil-speak, I guess.

 

[Redleaf]

If Kessel says he'll never play anywhere else, it hurts his bargaining position.

This was my first thought as well. He's giving management something to think about. Will he or wont he stay? It's really a pretty smart negotiating tactic, if thats what Phil's doing here.

A little 'Uh-Oh' with Nonis's morning double-double, should help elevate that first offer a notch or two.

 

[Peter D.]

Just as the Leafs held the hammer in the Kadri negotiations, the reverse is true when it comes to Kessel.

Until it is leaked the Leafs offered Kessel an 8-year/$64 million contract and it was rejected, I won't express too much concern over the situation.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

If Kessel says he'll never play anywhere else, it hurts his bargaining position.

This was my first thought as well. He's giving management something to think about. Will he or wont he stay? It's really a pretty smart negotiating tactic, if thats what Phil's doing here.

A little 'Uh-Oh' with Nonis's morning double-double, should help elevate that first offer a notch or two.

Dreger just said on the radio that Kessel's agents aren't going to do anything that jeopardizes their negotiation position - so there you go.

 

[Fanatic]

Nonis also knows how to play coy.

Dave Nonis on Kessel possibly becoming free agent: "If that's the direction it goes, there's nothing you can really do it to stop it"

 

[Jalili]

Knowing who his agent is and the agency he represents, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

Kessel also knows this will be the biggest payday of his life, so there's no reason for him to show his cards now.

As fans we just have to deal with the ambiguity for a few months and hope for the best.

 

[Britishbulldog]

If Kessel says he'll never play anywhere else, it hurts his bargaining position.

That's fine but there are no indications from anyone that they've even talked about an extension yet.  I will say though that this could just be nit-picking a tiny quote too...like a few years ago when Kessel said it wasn't working and something would have to change and the media blew it up to be that he was asking for a trade.

That quote just made me raise an eyebrow.

I don't think it means much, not any more than this quote from yesterday saying he loves Toronto means he's going to stay:

?I love Toronto, I like the city, the fans are great here, but we?ll see what happens.

?I would prefer a longer-term extension because I want to be somewhere for a long period of time. But who knows? We?ll see what happens. To tell you the truth, I don?t know. I have no clue.?

Thanks for this, Potvin.  Just Phil being Phil and talking in Phil-speak, I guess.

Phil is just being a little too honest I think. 

He needs some PR coaching to deal with the media that way he can look sincere but say what people want to hear.

 

[moon111]

If Phil leaves, I want to cancel the Free Trade agreement with the U.S.   Only good thing I see dealing with the U.S.

 

[dappleganger]

I have no problem with what Kessel said. He's putting the screws to Nonis. Good on him.