Boston Bruins winger Phil Kessel is in Woodbridge, Ill., for the USA Hockey men’s national team orientation camp and today he addressed the media there, including Kevin Allen of USA Today.
“It’s at a stalemate and I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kessel told the media. “… I think it could go either way at this point.”
Allen writes that Kessel estimates his health at 95 percent since his shoulder surgery earlier this summer. One might have liked Kessel to express his undying desire to return to the Bruins, but he chalked up the situation to being “a business.” Obviously that’s a shrewd way to play it when the leverage is all on the Bruins’ side.
Published By mattk Mon. August 17, 2009 7:40 pm EDT
yes, that is what they said at the time, but then when they were eliminated from the playoffs, in which he only played 5 games, he was not one of the players sent down to Providence to play…. But like u said, not to split hairs over it, the bottom line is they don’t really care if they lose him and don’t like him as much as they would make you believe. This may be why he hasn’t been traded yet, because teams have caught on to them not really wanting him and probably aren’t offering as much as in the past.
wasnt he taken off the roster so that he could still play in providence if they wanted him to get that playoff experience? the cutoff day for that was the same day as the trade deadline. a few other players were also sent down at the same time, i think it was like sobotka lucic and nokelanian. but whatever, not trying to split hairs, they dont seem to covet him as much as chia would like everyone to believe when he speaks to reporters
I don’t think it is very shrewed way to say it. I think what he said is good. He’s just saying its a business, if hes back for the bruins great, if not then thats great too. Too quote Bruschi, wherever u play, u put ur money in ur back pocket and play…
But u have to understand his point of view. All they do is try to trade him, they overpay people like Ryder and then play games with him. He could have come out and ripped everyone, btu again, chose to keep his mouth shut. Just like when he was benched in the playoffs, and when he was almost traded at the deadline and taking off the roster, and this year at the draft. He has been pulled every which way and still hasnt come out and said anything negative. I dont know what else we can expect from him.