Wait, is this actually asking if the Bruins should have traded Kessel for Hossa last season? Shouldn't the poll be Kessel vs nothing then, since Hossa would almost certainly have bailed in the off-season?
When factoring age and salary, Kessel would be my pick.
Hossa 29 $7M
Kessel 21 $850k
You're right about age. But there's no guarantee that Kessel will ever put up the offensive numbers Hossa has. Also, their respective contracts are different because of their age and accomplishments. Hossa's contract came from the UFA market. Kessel is on his entry level contract.
Kessel's cap hit is $2.2 million btw. And he's a RFA after this season so he's going to want more. Not $7 million more since he has yet to accomplish what Hossa has, but he's younger and has more time so that will figure into his salary boost.
Kessel's cap hit is $2.2 million btw. And he's a RFA after this season so he's going to want more. Not $7 million more since he has yet to accomplish what Hossa has, but he's younger and has more time so that will figure into his salary boost.
And Hossa is an unrestricted free agent after this year. He's going to want more.
Kessel is under your control for at least 4 more years, Hossa is for one. With that under consideration, I take Kessel.
Would have Boston gained anything by trading Kessel for Hossa last year? No, because they risk losing a young player if Hossa had walked in the off-season (Which he did in Pitts), but if we're comparing the two actual players in term of play, no chance for Kessel.
