Times are tough in Toronto and New Jersey, but the Leafs have more upside with Phil Kessel.
The two teams that made the most significant -- and riskiest -- moves in an effort to secure instant gratification, hooked up at the ACC Thursday night.
You could have almost dubbed the game Big Mess I vs. Big Mess II.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who traded away two first-round draft picks along with a second-round pick to acquire Phil Kessel, have shown no signs of moving up the ladder toward respectability.
The New Jersey Devils, meanwhile, dealt away a first-round draft pick as well as a handful of prospects to acquire impending unrestricted free agent Ilya Kovalchuk for what they hoped would be a long and fruitful playoff run last season. That did not occur as New Jersey was bounced in the opening round in five games. Kovalchuk led the Devils in playoff scoring with six points but, as has been the case throughout his NHL career, his individual results have never been tied to team success.
Still, the Devils clung to the hope that Kovalchuk was their ticket to a bright future and in a long and convoluted negotiation that resulted in the Devils being severely punished ($3 million fine and the loss of a first- and third-round draft pick) by the NHL for trying to circumvent the collective bargaining agreement, they got their man.
Now the Devils are a team in disarray: 28th in the NHL's overall standings with a very bleak future facing them tied to a loafer for the next 15 years.
Frankly, if I had to choose to be in the middle of one of these messes, I'd pick Toronto's in a heartbeat.
The funny thing is both Kessel and Kovalchuk are similar players. Both are exceptional skaters who want the puck every time they are on the ice. They each try to do too much on their own; rarely make those around them better and neither will ever challenge for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward.
So why Kessel over Kovalchuk? That's easy.
For starters, Kessel is only 23-years old compared to Kovalchuk, who is 27. Also, there is only four more years left on Kessel's contract after this season compared to 14 more for Kovalchuk. There are kids just learning to skate who could be Kovalchuk's teammates if he plays the entire duration of his contract.
Also, Kessel may not possess leadership qualities, but I have never heard him referred to as a dog. The same cannot be said for Kovalchuk who often seems disinterested, especially when he doesn't have the puck.
That much was evident Thursday night. In a game that could be described as life or death for both clubs, even though it's early in the season, Kessel thoroughly outplayed Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk played 22:50 and had an assist to go with four shots on goal. However, he often seemed lethargic and there was no desperation in his game to get the Devils back into the contest when they fell behind. Kessel, on the other hand, played 20 minutes and finished with one goal -- the game winner. He had six shots on goal and hit the goal post on another. He was engaged on virtually each and every of the 21 shifts he skated.
In an effort to try to spark better performances out of their $100-million man, the Devils concocted an entire Russian line playing Kovalchuk with Dainius Zubrus and Alexander Vasyunov…to no avail. It is hard to imagine what the Devils will try over the next decade to try to get him motivated.
Say what you will about the Maple Leafs giving away valuable draft picks to take a chance on Kessel; New Jersey also surrendered high picks and the Devils will probably lose their best player, Zach Parise, after this season because they can't afford to re-sign him. Talk on the street is Parise wants out regardless.
While few would have made the deal Brian Burke did with Boston to acquire Kessel, you could on some level justify the Toronto GM's attempt to bring a proven goal-scorer to town. He paid a huge price, but Kessel has at least done what the Leafs had hoped. How exactly the Devils imagined Kovalchuk would fit into their scheme remains a mystery. Under celebrated GM Lou Lamoriello, the Devils have always been a team-first outfit and Kovalchuk is anything but a team player.
Overall this season, Kessel has nine goal and 13 points (72nd in league scoring) in 18 games and is minus-3. Kovalchuk has four goals and 10 points (136th) and is minus-9. You could make the case that neither is playing to the level of his paycheck, but if you had to hitch your wagon to one over the other, is there really any argument?
Kessel wins hands down.
