I'm not cherry-picking at all. This discussion is about Kessel, and why would I compare him to Nash? Nash and Kessel are both overpaid, although Nash seems to be coming around somewhat when it comes to being a 3 zone player. I'm chose Carter because I have heard both him and Kessel referred to as one-trick ponies (goal scorers).BigTuna wrote: Jeff Carter has an 11 year contract. His cap hit would be far higher if he signed it today. Apples and oranges. Rick Nash gets 8 million. Why not compare him? You're cherry-picking.
Overall points is a Mickey Mouse stat when trying to prove a players worth based purely on statistics, especially when comparing him to other players. Try points per game played. A little better picture there because it takes into account injuries and suspensions. Big deal, Kessel outscored Stamkos this year.....he also played 45 more games. So saying he's scored more points than anyone other than Giroux over the last 3 seasons means nothing really. But Kessel's P/G has seen him drop over the last 3 years. 6th - 11th - 22nd.Tuna wrote: Why is Kessel worth 8 million? Statistics. That's what you throw at a team to get your deal. You can't dispute it. Only Giroux has scored more than Kessel the past 3 years. (That's overall points, not just goals).
Define "one of the top assist getters" please. He hasn't been top-15 in the league in that department during the last few years. 17th, 17th, 22nd.Tuna wrote: And stop the "Pure Goal Scorer who doesn't do anything else" nonsense. Kessel is an elite passer and one of the top assists getters the past couple of seasons. To say he's worth 5-6 million in 2014 is absolutely laughable. He has scored a lot more than Jeff Carter has recently. In fact, while Carter had a great year, he hasn't been consistently a top forward at all. Philly dump him for drinking, his first year in L.A they won the cup and he did not play well at all. Phil has been much more consistent. In fact, you can talk about Carter in the Olympics, but Phil Kessel was the best forward at the Olympics.
I also never said he's only worth $5M-$6M. I said that was a low-ball assessment. I would say $7.5M at a max, but $7M is reasonable for his stats alone.
He's scored more than Carter because he's playing for a team that doesn't even remember that they have a defensive zone. Carter is playing a 200 foot game compared to Kessel's 100 foot showings.
As for Carter in LA's first Cup run. You say he didn't play well at all.....I say that 13 points in 20 games on a defense-first team is pretty good. I say that being tied on your team for most goals scored is even better. I also say that being tied for most team GWG's in that playoff run is something that speaks volumes.
And good point about the Olympics. Kessel was the best forward at the Olympics.....and his team didn't win a damned thing. In fact they were bounced before the medal rounds even began. But again.....pure offense and nothing doing when it comes time to help out south of center ice.
Kane and Toews are also overpaid. Watch what happens to the Blackhawks down the road, they only have 6 players locked up beyond 2 years from now. Sure they can try and move a player or two out to clear cap, but who? Sharp is about their only option. Nobody will take Bickell at $4M. They can do well now if they manage to find a taker for Hossa.....but who wants that contract in another year or two when Hossa is 37 or 38.Tuna wrote: Kessel signed his deal in much more recent circumstances with Patrick Kane. He gets 10.5 million. Kessel gets 8 million no issues there.
Jeff Carter is not considered a franchise player? Neither is Phil Kessel. have you heard the criticism this guy gets?
And are the leaves truly building around Phil Kessel? What about Bernier, Rielly, Nylander, Phaneuf, JVR, Kadri?
Generally speaking your top paid forward is the guy you are building your franchise around. He's either your franchise guy, or you don't overpay him like that. Have you heard the Kessel praises that CBC sings on HNiC? In 2013 they were still talking about Kessel during the conference finals.....and he didn't even do anything special in the 7 games the leaves played. Only one of his goals was timely in that it closed the gap for the leaves early in the 2nd period.....but yeah, good call, give the guy franchise money when he can't break open a game and be a difference maker.
Oh, and I know Carter isn't a franchise player. That was my original point.
Btw Tuna, why is it that the only season that Kessel has been able to put up better than 1.0 P/G was in a, 48 game, shortened season?
