It's Blake Kessel's turn to leave for pros
by Dominik on May 24, 2011 2:28 PM EDT
in Islanders in Diapers
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PrintBut which pro? That's the question. We've talked idly speculated about Blake Kessel here for a while now, as the UNH would-be senior was testing the waters last month about leaving college, but the Islanders organizational depth chart isn't exactly teeming with openings. Matt Donovan -- a much more important prospect -- and Aaron Ness were the early birds who grabbed (and/or were handed) the worm, even getting some brief playing time in the AHL before the Sound Tigers season ended.
So where does that leave Kessel? In Jason Gregoire territory? There are 11 defensemen on NHL deals (some of them two-way) for next season, with RFAs Jack Hillen and Ty Wishart likely adding two more (perhaps Bruno is a third). Plus Bridgeport captain Mark Wotton signaled intentions to come back (Wotton's always on AHL deals, but he uses a spot down there).
Like Gregoire, Kessel was drafted in 2007 (6th round), which means this is his fourth June 1st after that draft, which means the same rule or loophole that Gregoire used applies to him if he leaves college early, which he's now doing. So on June 1, he could be an unrestricted free agent.
Privately, I've always wondered if Kessel, a not-prime prospect, might take the chance to join his brother in Toronto's organization, which is one that isn't shy about using the college aftermarket to replenish after years of JFJ plundering. That's pure speculation on my part though -- it was said Kessel The Younger chose UNH precisely to get out from his star bro's shadow, so who knows what's on his mind now.
It's a fine line between building depth and letting good assets get away. (Is this development a concern, or a good sign that the Islanders' prospect pipeline is getting deep enough they can afford such potential losses?) On that note, also about to expire from the college prospect list: Brian Day and Shane Sims, one of last month's ATO 55s.
Kessel's buddies and UNH fans talk on the Twitters a lot, so if you're dying for late-breaking developments and rumors on this front, that's not a bad place to feed your hunger. Nothing from the Isles at the moment -- they did post a transaction update when Gregoire left UND. But the Isles are kinda busy with the bigger picture at the moment.
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Do they have the same agent?
Personally, I think unproved dudes thinking they can pull this off just wreaks of egomania, but it’s a business, so I’m sure $ is a huge factor. Wouldn’t be surprised to never hear much of these two going forward.
Kessel Skills
Kessel had a decent college career. He is 6’ 2" and over 205 lbs which is good sized. He is also a right handed shot.
Ahead of him right now also includes Tony DeHart who also should be ending his junior hockey career.
It would be ashamed if he walked….
What compensation do we get if anything? Does anyone know?
No compensation
Just a collectible plush toy of our choice.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A doughnut with no hole is Frans Nielsen.
Something like this?
Formerly a part time contributor and pittier of fools, now an Emeritus at Lighthouse Hockey.
by David Hanssen on May 24, 2011 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Is that Wellwood?
When the Isles make us drink, we curse Milbury through a monocle and with our pinkies out. Lighthouse Hockey & Chivas-All Class.
Website:Lighthouse Hockey Twitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on May 24, 2011 9:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
flip him around
I’m sure it says “TAVARES” on the back, with a heart where the 91 should be.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
by mikb on May 25, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
OT: I think you will see some interesting prospects especially on D heading to the Isles ECHL affiliate in 2011
It might be better for the younger prospects to play in the ECHL rather than the AHL as they will get the proper playing time on the PP and killing penalties. Snow hinted late in the year he would use someone of note (Lawson?) in 2011/2012 as a goalie in the Isles ECHL affiliate. Snow doesn’t want to go through the insanity of 2010/2011 so expect more two way contracts than the norm to add depth to the young and often fragile Islanders.
I'd like to see it, personally
I wonder if some kids would rather fish for a better shot at an AHL job than an ECHL assignment?
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A doughnut with no hole is Frans Nielsen.
Yay
I would like to see to see Blake Kessel play for the Islanders. Even though we have better defense prospects in the system, I’m curious to see what he can bring to the team.
All Who Oppose Grabner Shall Perish.
huh?
"Milbury said he was at the Winter Classic and he was getting heckled by an Islanders fan. He couldn’t understand why an Islanders fan would show up in an Islanders jersey at a non-Islanders game just to heckle him." My New Hero
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
They have been marked
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A doughnut with no hole is Frans Nielsen.
Bad move by Kessel
I don’t see him as an NHL player, and I think he could have used another year at college, not just to graduate but to let the pileup on the Isles D clear out a little.
For example, I’d rather see Katic back for one more season then Kessel at the Bridge. Unless Klementyev requires more recovery time, I don’t see a spot for him. Maybe since he’s been playing in UNH, he won’t mind playing in Kalamazoo
"Milbury said he was at the Winter Classic and he was getting heckled by an Islanders fan. He couldn’t understand why an Islanders fan would show up in an Islanders jersey at a non-Islanders game just to heckle him." My New Hero
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
I agree
Bad move. He’s a marginal prospect, but he could develop into a 5/6 d-man. I think he (and Gregoire) don’t consider the Islanders a potential contender. They still have the Milbury era (error?) in their heads and so do their advisors. As the Isles migrate towards the top (and they will) this won’t be happening. Ironically, you’d think that these type of players would have a better chance of developing with the Islanders rathern than other teams.
Gregoire is far and away
a better prospect then Kessel. I just don’t think Kessel will ever get to the NHL level. I would be shocked if Gregoire isn’t brought into the Bridge.
"Milbury said he was at the Winter Classic and he was getting heckled by an Islanders fan. He couldn’t understand why an Islanders fan would show up in an Islanders jersey at a non-Islanders game just to heckle him." My New Hero
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Islanders official website link
Not the ugliest residents of Nassau County that showed up for that press conference…
Yes they, they did go for the photogenic angle
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A doughnut with no hole is Frans Nielsen.
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1979-80
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May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
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May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
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May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
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May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
