Kessel talks non-existent, Axelsson likely done as a Bruin

According to the Boston Globe, the Phil Kessel contract talks, if the sides are indeed still talking, have not progressed. The Globe's Kevin Dupont gives what he believes are Kessel's options.

►Cut a one-year deal, accepting only a slight bump over his 2008-09 wages, and use it as a bridge to arbitration as of next July 1. If he popped in another 36 goals or more in 2009-10, he could ring up the Causeway cash drawer for $5 million per year or more next summer. Remember, the players who scored more than Kessel last year will average $6.5 million in the coming season.

►Take something akin to David Krejci money (three years/$11.25 million), forget about finances for 36 months, and come to the table in the spring of 2012, ideally with a more mature and proven overall game.

►Force his way out of town, either by requesting a trade or refusing to sign, leading Chiarelli to deal away a non-performing asset (probably at the post-Olympic trading deadline).

►Wait for a Group 2 offer sheet, of which there have been none this summer, nearly three weeks into the free agency process.

“Kessel is an interesting, exciting player, and he had a very good year,’’ said another NHL GM, insisting on anonymity for fear of being slapped with tampering charges. “But from the outside, I wonder if he’ll get from the level of good player to great player. And great players are those who, by themselves, can lead the team when they are on the ice. In other words, just by being ou

t there you alone can make the team have a better chance of winning. Kessel hasn’t proved that yet. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s a brilliant offensive guy, but he still has to show more before he proves he’s an elite player worthy of elite money.’’

My take: As I said two weeks ago, I think it is a possibility that Kessel takes a one-year deal to a lot of negative feedback. This would allow Kessel to make a huge pay day in July, 2010. However, with Kessel due to miss a fair share of games due to shoulder surgery, he may be nervous about that.

I don't think the time off to start the season will hurt, Kessel missed 12 games last year and still potted 36 goals. I don't see Kessel accepting something in the David Krejci range either, so I don't see any other options. Kessel says he wants to stay here, but he may have to take his one-year deal or request his way out of town. From what I've been reading, an offer sheet for Kessel is not likely.

Also, don't look for anything on Kessel to be completed until after July 24. July 24 is when Matt Hunwick will have his arbitration hearing, and the Bruins will know how much money they will have left under the salary cap to offer to Kessel.

* It has been speculated for a while now, PJ Axelsson has likely played his last game as a Bruin. Axelsson is said to have a multi-year deal worth over $ 1 million. The Bruins would not match anything over the $1 million mark, so that would lead to the end.

Axelsson has played 851 games in black and gold and there would be quite a gap to the next longest tenured Bruin. Tim Thomas would be the longest-​tenured Bruin in terms of years being with the team since 2003, playing in 237 games. Patrice Bergeron would be the new Bruin leader in terms of games played with the spoked-B, having played in 321 games.