Will we know about Phil Kessel's future in Boston by Opening Night?

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Aug 18, 2009 5:37 PM EDT

Published in a recent USA Today article by hockey writer Kevin Allen, is the following quote from Phil Kessel:

"There is no date," Kessel said. "…either way it will get done before the season for sure."

This may have been Phil Kessel simply giving his opinion on what he thinks will happen in the next few weeks or it was Kessel leaking information about a dateline being set by either Kessel and his agent Wade Arnott or by Peter Chiarelli and the Boston Bruins. Then again, maybe Kessel didn't realize that the Bruins can theorically wait until December 1st to make a decision about re-signing him.

Whatever the case may be, James Murphy from NESN.com thinks that Kessel's statements re-iterate that the Bruins and Kessel are still very far apart in their negotiations.

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December 1st?

I keep hearing that we have until December first, but I have read the CBA and it seems to me that we have until November 1st. Can someone point out where exactly in the CBA December 1st is stated? I asked on HFboards and the only answer i received was “look and you’ll find it”, which gave me the inclination I may be correct.

by Sheriff Shane Hnidy on Aug 18, 2009 6:31 PM EDT reply actions

Try P. 282 of the CBA. It contains the Critical Date Calendar. It clearly shows that the Signing Deadline for Group 2 Free Agents (such as Kessel) is on December 1.

by Mr Spock on Aug 18, 2009 7:36 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks, that saved me a lot of digging. It does state December 1st as the deadline in the CBA.

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by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Aug 18, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

If he doesn’t sign by December 1st doesn’t he have to sit out the whole season.

by Eric B on Aug 18, 2009 11:37 PM EDT reply actions

Yes. RFA’d!

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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Aug 19, 2009 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions

no i think we’ld loose his rights so held either be traded or be signed

by Conor Mc on Aug 18, 2009 11:42 PM EDT reply actions

He would be inillegible to play in the NHL for any team during the ’09-10 season if not signed by December 1st.

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by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Aug 19, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn’t this a Lose-Lose Scenerio …. If Kessel isn’t signed by Dec 1, Kessel won’t be able to play for the entire ’09-10 season and the Bruins could end up losing his rights (as he would become a UFA for the ’10-11 season).

by Mr Spock on Aug 19, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I guarantee something will happen before December 1st, but they do have the luxury of waiting a while to see how his shoulder is before making a move.

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by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Aug 19, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

He said he’d be ready in November, and haggerty agrees, so we’ll probably see something by the time he’s healed, if not before.

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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Aug 20, 2009 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

It may not be quite win-win, but it’s definitely not lose-lose. I don’t think Kessel’s going to be too hot on the idea of sitting out an entire season, so as the deadline approaches the team will theoretically have the leverage. But the time gives them a chance to evaulate things, too…maybe Kessel’s shoulder isn’t quite right, maybe the team has other, more pressing needs, to spend the money on. I’m sure there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth if Kessel ends up gone, but the B’s would be foolish not to try and capitalize on a situation very much in their favor.

by Arenacale on Aug 19, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

They can also wait and see if they have anyone on the LTIR early in the season (not wishing that that happens, but…), which could free up room to sign Kessel or make another move.

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by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Aug 19, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions