Getting real with Kessel

Now that David Krejci has his new deal in place, what will the Bruins pay Phil Kessel? The answer from Causeway Street as the weekend approached: they're working on it. And that's about all general manager Peter Chiarelli offered, knowing all too well that the speedy winger this past season popped in enough goals (36) to justify an asking price of $4.5 million or more per year. That's because goal scoring is considered the game's sweetest nectar, and also because the New NHL pays kids like the 21-year-old Kessel huge money even when their track record only hints at potential stardom. According to one veteran agent with a list of high-profile NHLers, the Krejci deal, worth $11.25 million over three years, created a salary ``barrier'' on the Bruins . ``Guys like Kessel, [Milan] Lucic, and [Blake] Wheeler, they all know what their limit is now,'' he said. Kessel becomes a restricted free agent July 1, while Lucic and Wheeler, the latter of whom just completed his rookie season, don't reach that threshold until July 1, 2010. Asked what he felt would happen with Kessel, the agent said, ``I think he'll be gone. Chiarelli will dump him with a West Coast team where he can score his 40 goals every year, and he'll be out of sight, out of mind.'' Chiarelli cordially refused to delve into any aspects of his Kessel talks. Kessel, who just two weeks ago began rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery, tied for 12th in league goal scoring, along with Loui Eriksson, the Dallas left winger, age 23, who also just wrapped up his third NHL season and now likely wishes he could put a torch to the contract that will pay him a modest $1.7 million in 2009-10. Of the 11 players who potted more goals than Kessel this season, all but Marian Hossa and Mike Cammalleri (both UFAs) have deals in place for next season. No. 1 scorer Alexander Ovechkin will lead the way to the pay window with $9 million. Zach Parise, who finished third with 45 goals, will make the least ($3 million) of the bunch. The average for the nine players under contract: $6.5 million. Pretty simple math for Kessel to pick a spot between Parise's low and the pack's average and have his agent, Wade Arnott, frame talks around $4.5 million a year, if not more. But with the Bruins' ``barrier'' in place, is that a realistic asking price? Probably not. Not if Kessel wants to remain here. For all his flash, dash, and goal scoring, Kessel has some troubling holes in his game. It's a contact sport, one full of one-on-one battles, and in most cases, Kessel prefers to motor around those battles. When he is forced to battle for a puck, he usually looks for a different option. Grinding is not Kessel's game. But as I remember, Guy Lafleur wasn't much of a grinder, either. Before we go further, I am not comparing Kessel to the Hall of Famer, but rather noting that it takes many different ingredients to perfect a Stanley Cup brew. Those who are faster than a speeding bullet don't necessarily have to be more powerful than a locomotive. Kessel, it also should be noted, was quick to bounce back after a bout of testicular cancer his rookie season. Late this season, following a bout of mononucleosis, he mangled a shoulder. But he kept on motoring. Although painfully shy, he has displayed a mental toughness for which he deserves credit. All that said, are the Bruins going to roll out the dough for him the way they did for, say, Marc Savard ($5 million per year) or Patrice Bergeron ($4.75 million)? Not likely. Chiarelli most likely will try to fit Kessel in with Krejci's $3.75 million and Dennis Wideman's $3.875 million. The GM made Tim Thomas ($5 million) his first priority to sign. Then came Krejci. Although Chiarelli won't admit to it, the order of getting deals done speaks to how he prioritizes each player's importance. One recent rumor had Kessel being shipped to the Avalanche, who hold the No. 3 pick in the draft. Not likely, even if potential franchise defenseman Victor Hedman were to fall to No. 3. The Bruins would be enticed to make that swap, but take a look at Colorado's back line. Now that's a team that needs a franchise defenseman. If Kessel wants to come in for Krejci money, or something close to it, he will be welcomed back. The bet here some six weeks ago was that Krejci would settle his deal first, fitting Chiarelli with leverage in the Kessel talks, and that's exactly what has happened. Remember, this is a team that puts great weight in what Cam Neely thinks of players, and No. 8's standard read on a skilled-but-soft contributor has been, ``That dog won't hunt.'' Having listened to Neely's reads for more than two decades, and knowing both Kessel's strengths and shortcomings, I think the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls for Kessel. He'll hear something around $4 million, or he'll hear the sound of silence.