The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded a 2010 1st round pick, 2010 2nd round pick and a 2011 1st round pick to the Boston Bruins for the rights to Phil Kessel. Kessel then agreed to terms with the Maple Leafs on a 5 year deal worth $27 Million (5.4M cap hit).
The deal that has been talked about since the NHL draft has come to fruition. Brian Burke, who has preached about the re-build in Toronto, makes his boldest move yet - moving three high draft picks for a young, skilled 36 goal-scorer. Pessimistic Leafs fans will complain that Burke gave up to much but Kessel is only 3 years removed form being a top 5 draft pick and is proven...something you can't say about any of those future picks.
Here is a fantasy breakdown of the deal:
Phil Kessel:
Kessel is coming off a breakout year where he lit the lamp 36 times. Still only 21, Kessel could develop into one of the league's top snipers as he is lightning fast and has a great shot. "Phil the Thrill" made the Bruins in his draft year and has progressed in leaps and bounds since then. He has had to grow up fast after battling testicular cancer in his rookie year and then mono last year.
The move to Toronto could be good and bad for Kessel's fantasy value. In keeper leagues, he is a great pick-up, but be weary of not overvaluing him in standard leagues. Here's why:
1. The loss of Marc Savard
Kessel is coming off a career year where he played with one of the top playmakers in the NHL in Marc Savard. The Leafs don't have a playmaking pivot like Savard and their top centre Mikael Grabovski is a shoot 1st, pass 2nd type of centre.
2. Rehab
Kessel won't join the Leafs until November/December after having off-season rotator cuff surgery. Kessel is a shooter, which makes shoulder injuries that much tougher to come back from. He will likely take the first few months back to get fully comfortable on the ice.
3. Chemistry
As mentioned in point #1, the Leafs don't have many playmaking forwards to get Kessel the puck, and because of this, he could struggle to find chemistry with any of their top 6 guys. Of all the players on the Leafs current roster, the two most natural fits for Kessel would be youngsters Tyler Bozak and Nazem Kadri. Neither are guaranteed a spot on this year's team though which means Kessel could be spending his winter months isolated on the top line.
Fearless Forecast:
2009-2010 52GP, 21G, 17A, 38 Points
2010-2011 80GP, 38G, 36A, 74 Points
Again, Kessel will have a huge fantasy impact next year, just don't expect it this year. If you have him in your pool, shop him to your resident Maple Leafs homer who will surely overpay.
Get the Just Fantasy Hockey Forecaster for FREE with Kessel's updated fantasy value HERE, or click the top right logo for instant download.
The deal that has been talked about since the NHL draft has come to fruition. Brian Burke, who has preached about the re-build in Toronto, makes his boldest move yet - moving three high draft picks for a young, skilled 36 goal-scorer. Pessimistic Leafs fans will complain that Burke gave up to much but Kessel is only 3 years removed form being a top 5 draft pick and is proven...something you can't say about any of those future picks.
Here is a fantasy breakdown of the deal:
Phil Kessel:
Kessel is coming off a breakout year where he lit the lamp 36 times. Still only 21, Kessel could develop into one of the league's top snipers as he is lightning fast and has a great shot. "Phil the Thrill" made the Bruins in his draft year and has progressed in leaps and bounds since then. He has had to grow up fast after battling testicular cancer in his rookie year and then mono last year.
The move to Toronto could be good and bad for Kessel's fantasy value. In keeper leagues, he is a great pick-up, but be weary of not overvaluing him in standard leagues. Here's why:
1. The loss of Marc Savard
Kessel is coming off a career year where he played with one of the top playmakers in the NHL in Marc Savard. The Leafs don't have a playmaking pivot like Savard and their top centre Mikael Grabovski is a shoot 1st, pass 2nd type of centre.
2. Rehab
Kessel won't join the Leafs until November/December after having off-season rotator cuff surgery. Kessel is a shooter, which makes shoulder injuries that much tougher to come back from. He will likely take the first few months back to get fully comfortable on the ice.
3. Chemistry
As mentioned in point #1, the Leafs don't have many playmaking forwards to get Kessel the puck, and because of this, he could struggle to find chemistry with any of their top 6 guys. Of all the players on the Leafs current roster, the two most natural fits for Kessel would be youngsters Tyler Bozak and Nazem Kadri. Neither are guaranteed a spot on this year's team though which means Kessel could be spending his winter months isolated on the top line.
Fearless Forecast:
2009-2010 52GP, 21G, 17A, 38 Points
2010-2011 80GP, 38G, 36A, 74 Points
Again, Kessel will have a huge fantasy impact next year, just don't expect it this year. If you have him in your pool, shop him to your resident Maple Leafs homer who will surely overpay.
Get the Just Fantasy Hockey Forecaster for FREE with Kessel's updated fantasy value HERE, or click the top right logo for instant download.
Chris
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