Kessel to sign with Bruins
I usually don’t like to post rumors, but according to Hammy’s Gopher Hockey Blog, Minnesota Gopher superstar Phil Kessel will sign a pro contract in the next few days.
It’s been known all summer that he wanted to sign a pro deal and not come back to college, but only if he got a top deal and would be guaranteed a chance to play for the Bruins. In all honesty, I really thought he would come back, thinking that Boston would be smart enough to have him develop in a great league, with a great coach, for free, instead of paying him to play in a league that he might struggle in (because of his size).
Gopher Hockey Blog: Phil Kessel expected to go pro
A knowledgeable source has confirmed to me this evening that Gopher center Phil Kessel is expected to sign a contract with the Boston Bruins “in the next day or two” and forego the rest of his college career with the Gophers. Obviously, I am not officially affiliated with either the U of Minnesota athletic department or the Boston Bruins so this blog post is far from any sort of official press release on the matter. But given the source, I feel pretty confident that I can go with the word I was given. I’d say that the odds of Kessel not signing are pretty infinitesimal at this point.
This makes an even four early departures for the Gophers, joining Danny Irmen, Ryan Potulny, and Kris Chucko. But with Irmen and Potulny, they almost had to sign a pro deal because of the new CBA, but also because they had excelled at the college level, and it was time to move on. Chucko, on the other hand, got what he needed from college – some offensive skills to go with his D – so I’m not even all that upset with his departure.
It’s unfortunate to lose Phil, because we could have had something special with him at center this year. It’s just a shame that he felt he got enough out of college hockey in one year, and thinks he was ready to go on to the next level. I think it’s a mistake to leave after one year, but if he didn’t want to come back, I wish him the best of luck.
I also think that Kessel will leave Minnesota fans with very little emotion of his year here. His decision to play for the Gophers was huge, but I don’t think he ever lived up to his hype. He didn’t dominate like Vanek did, and didn’t have the personality that would be remembered. In fact, I think he might be one of the only Gopher players that won’t be missed or thought of in years to come. He was an out of state kid that came in, didn’t leave a huge imprint, and then left. Every other transplant has been an important part of the team and legacy that is Gopher Hockey.
Basically, if he excels and becomes a star in the NHL, I will credit the Gophers for developing the skills needed. But if he flops, I will call him another Wisconsin dud!
Oh, and what do all these guys have in common, besides leaving MN early? Yep, they are all from outside of Minnesota.
Erik Johnson will leave after one year, Okposo after two. Hard to develop any sort of emotional attachment to these players who are in and out so quickly, but I suppose we better start getting used to it. As for Kessel, I’m indifferent towards him leaving, apart from the obvious impact on the team.
This is why, in my mind, no team will ever top that of the 2002 championship team led by two incredible seniors, Leopold and Pohl.
Agreed with Johnson leaving after one. But I think most are thinking that he will be ready after one year anyway, unlike Kessel is now. We were just lucky to get him for that one year.
Bummer. Granted, I get to enjoy watching the him play with the Bruins out here, but frankly I’d much rather see him in a Gopher uniform this year.
I have to respectfully disagree with your assesment of Kessel’s tenure in Minnesota. In that year, I saw him do things that I’ve haven’t see any player in that league do. His ability to pick apart a defense; to move through it; to brilliantly feed a teammate breaking in front of the net — those are things to remember. His vision of the ice is uncanny. His speed is also an impressive aspect. He was INCH rookie of the year. He was tied for 11th in the nation in scoring, tied for 10th in the nation in assists – the only freshman in the top 15 on both of those lists. About the only other freshman that you could compare him with last year was T.J. Oshie.
So what’s the knock on him? How did he fall short of the hype? That he didn’t have quite as good a freshman season as Vanek (45gp 31g 31a 62pts) or Parise (39gp 26g 35a 61pts)? He was highly touted, certainly. I think he delivered. 39gp 18g 33a 51pts is a pretty good freshman season. The only player with better numbers on the team was Potulny (granted Irmen played 9 less games). He may have struggled toward the end, but he showed far more consistency than Chucko (4g 9a 13pts). So he’s not gritty like Chucko. But Phil averaged 1.34 pts/game for crying out loud! I’ll certainly miss Kessel far more than Chucko. But I will lament that neither stayed to realize more potential or a Gopher championship.
I do think it’s possible to develop an emotional attachment to these players even if only for a season. You guys are waaaayyy too worried about investing yourselves in the short term. It’s understandable, but I can’t seem to help it. That’s the plight of a MN fan. You get your hopes up for something and then you’re crushed!
Excellent points J-Me. You are right, he had a great year, and I didn’t mean to take away from that, but for some reason, I still don’t think he will be remember the way Vanek was, even for just the Freshman season. Vanek led his team to a title, and I never felt Kessel was as important. Yes, his speed, skill, and passes were a thing of beauty.
The hype was that he would come in and possibly come close to Kariya’s Freshman season. That he would be one of the best Freshman to ever play the game. Sure, those are unrealistic, but that’s what some were expecting.
Unfortunately, he left before his chance at a real legacy at the U. One more season and he would/could have been a player to remember for a long time.
I’ll eat my words if he makes it to the NHL, but I really think he needed another year here.
Yes, another year here would have been stellar. I think the debate really is about feeling selfish for wanting these kids to stick around vs. the incredible revolving door of college into the pros (in hockey, football, and basketball).
I don’t think anyone is going to be touching Kariya’s 100pt season as a freshman for a long time.
How so though? Name one player that has been an outspoken leader in his Freshman season? I think what Jeff is saying that with guys like Leo, Pohl, and G$, we felt like we knew them, and watched them grow as players.
With guys like Vanek and Kessel, they are here for a reason, and we all know it. I’ll remember these guys for their on ice skills, but not much else.
There’s nothing short term about wanting to see a player for three/four years. Players like that usually become the team leaders, the heart of the team, and guys that you want to see succeed.
Can you honestly say that 2002 wasn’t the best year ever for the Gophers? It was fucking insane how awesome that season was.
Not really. At least for me.
I’m fine with guys like Vanek, Potulny, Irmen, Erik Johnson (hopefully) leaving early. They were top stars in college, and were ready for the next level. It doesn’t matter how many years they played.
With Kessel, I don’t think he is ready for the NHL and he should have stayed at the U for his own good.
On the other hand, if Phil hated college and just wanted to get some money, while still developing his stills, I’d be fine with him leaving. I’m just not sure that was the case. I think he is leaving because he thinks he is ready.
In better news, we’re only 51 days from the first game!!!
Another year at Minnesota would benefit Kessel in the long run
For some reason this wouldn’t post…
Depends on what you want out of these guys. And on what level you develop this emotional attachment. Granted what I’m saying is as much devil’s advocacy as anything else. I don’t need a player to be an outspoken leader their freshman year – I think it’s ridiculous to expect that in order to have an affinity with them. I understand what you’re saying though about the Leos, Pohls and G$s. But Kessel will always be remembered in my mind because he is such an exciting force on the ice. I never expected leadership or the other touchy-feely qualities to come with the package.
Obviously I’m not disputing that. Where’d that come from? There was nothing like that year, and maybe there won’t be ever again.
Agreed. I don’t think PK is ready for the big show. But what the hell do I know? I know I’d like to see him in Maroon & Gold for at least one more year.
Unfortunately he’s got to live with all of these labels on him. Not that I feel sorry for him. I just can’t imagine what kind of difficulty he has getting his head around all of it.
Bah, either way I get to watch him next year.
I’m also a little sick of the way he drags everything out. His decision to come to the U took forever, just as this has. Just make a damn decision already. If you leave the U, we need to find another forward. It’s not all about you anymore.
If he had played for a National Champion, perhaps he would make a different decision. Would you come back knowing that you’re only playing for second place??
Hmmm … funny that Robbie Earl and Joe Pavelski didn’t follow that line of reasoning. DIVER DOWN!!!
Robbie and Joe have their rings. They’re good.
So if PK had played for Wisconsin he would have his ring as well and would also be “good,” giving him the same freedom to leave. So your point about making a different decision was what again?
I don’t think Bouche had a point. He’s just not used to having good hockey over in Buckyland!
Speaking of hockey in Buckyland — last night a friend of Cole’s from Wisconsin, en route to South Dakota, spent the night at our house with her 6 year-old son. Her son, as it happens, is an avid Badger hockey fan. This all sounds innocent enough, until you realize this particular fan was armed with a “Road to the Championship” Badger hockey program, the contents of which he had committed to memory. Thus was I treated to a conversation about Badger hockey with a 6 year-old who informed me several times that (1) Wisconsin won 3 out of 5 games against the Gophers last year, (2) Wisconsin beat the Gophers at the Final 5, and (3) that the Badgers were the national champions — 6 times over, in fact.
I should mention that this was all innocent enough — he was divulging the MN-related info only b/c he was in MN for the first time (that he was consciously aware of anyway). Nonetheless, I’m sure you can appreciate both the humor AND the humility of the situation.
BTW – this 6 year-old is crazy about hockey and already 4′ 4″, and I think tDon should start recruiting him immediately. ;)
U’s Lucia adjusts as Kessel departs
Wow, so it almost sounds like Lucia would think twice before recruiting a guy like Kessel. Or maybe he just wants to make sure he has enough talent in the verbals so he can fill the spot when a top guy like this leaves.
In this case, he’ll bring in Jay Barriball, who was supposed to play another year in the USHL, but I think he’ll be ready to play.
Hammy on GPL: