Matt Larkin of The Hockey News has a fantastic piece up on the situation. Here’s my favorite part:
“There’s still a market for what Kessel offers, no matter what his suitors want us to believe. No statistic matters more in hockey than goals, and Kessel has the fourth-most over the past five seasons. That’s worth surrendering a pick, prospect and roster player, even at his price. Consider that Kessel sits behind just Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos and Corey Perry in goals since 2010.
Then consider the former trio’s linemates have included Nicklas Backstrom, Martin St-Louis and Ryan Getzlaf.