News started trickling out a couple of hours ago that Phil Kessel, holdout and king of this summer's Bruins saga, was going to be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs were the front runners again, taking the spot from the Nashville Predators.
The Bruins traded Kessel for what appears to be two first round draft picks and a second round draft pick. The draft picks break down like this: 2010 first round pick and 2010 second round pick, and 2011 first round pick.
Kessel reportedly signed with the Leafs at $27 million for five years. That means Phil the Thrill will be pocketing some $5.4 million per season.
The Bruins couldn't afford that and while GM Peter Chiarelli said time and time again he would make room under the salary cap for the sniper, it never seemed like it was going to happen. Kessel doesn't fit in the direction the Bruins want to go. The Bruins wants grit and toughness, something Kessel never really showed he was.
The Kessel saga has finally come to an official close.
The Bruins have their first preseason game at the TD Garden tomorrow at 4 against the New York Rangers.
Phew! I'm glad that's over. Sort of...now begins the banter on talk radio regarding the merits of this move.
I feel that Boston did what they had to do and got more than fair value for the young sniper.
p.s. Great blog! I used to (well, still do) read yours before I started my own.