Kessel Signs

[noonanberg]

Phil Kessel, who while he slipped to the Bruins at #5 probably should have been the #1 pick, has just signed a three year deal with the B's. Assuming he makes the team, Kessel would probably be either the third line center or move to second line wing. Either way he makes the B's offense even deadlier. Kessel has a great shot which he can release quick at top speeds, but he's also a pretty good playmaker. So if he were to play alongside Savard and Murray on the second line he could be relied on to feed Murray or bury a few himself. If he plays on the third line he likely would be counted on more to score, but he can, and it would give the B's a pretty good third line. Either way, the move makes the B's a better team, and makes their playoff chances even better.

[pokey3]

Give him a year in Providence to adjust to the NHL level, call him up 2 or 3 times for some slight duty, and then after that, keep him up.

[noonanberg]

you're talking about a kid with NHL speed and an NHL shot. sure he'll need to mature defensively and yeah there'll probably be a little adjustment, but you would rather send kessel to the minors instead of say wayne primeau or mark mowers, etc. no way. even if he has trouble adjusting he would put up bigger numbers than those guys.