Boston GM Peter Chiarelli Says Phil Kessel Wanted Out

Now that Phil Kessel is officially a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Boston Bruins can move forward. They knew that Kessel would be tough to bring back, especially given their salary cap issues. What general manager Peter Chiarelli wasn't necessarily prepared to hear was that Kessel didn't want to return under any circumstances.

Enter Toronto general manager Brian Burke, who gave up two first-round picks, along with a second-rounder, for the right to pay Kessel some $27 million for the next five years.

Chiarelli made it abundantly clear that Kessel didn't want to be there, and he also said it was his choice to allow Kessel to move on. Chiarelli went so far as to say the club could have stashed Kessel on long-term injury for the entire season if they wanted to.

From the Bruins' perspective, the deal only happened because Kessel wanted out. Throughout his opening remarks and for much of his near 20-minute press conference, Chiarelli refused to refer to Kessel by name, instead saying "the player" or "this player" to describe the fourth-year player, who scored a career-high 36 goals last season.

"At the end of the day," Chiarelli said, "we want players who want to be here. This player is a good player. He can skate and shoot the puck. But we want players who want to be here, we want to build around them."

Chiarelli only got three draft picks in return for a high-level young player (Kessel is on the verge of turning 22). He tried to spin this into a good thing, however.

"These picks are significant," Chiarelli said, "especially in light of the strength of the amateur draft coming up."

While Chiarelli was obviously displeased at the events that led him to this moment, Burke was practically giddy. He praised Chiarelli for driving a hard bargain for Kessel.

"It's a very high price," Burke said Friday night. "But it's one that we feel makes sense for us."

Burke noted that his organization has signed some key free agents, such as Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson, and goalie Jonas Gustavsson, who will all play a role moving forward. He felt that allowed him the flexibility to give up draft picks for Kessel.

"By stocking the cupboard, we can take some of the cans off the shelf for the future," Burke said.

Kessel's shoulder injury won't allow him to play until November.

"He brings tremendous footspeed, goal scoring ability, and should improve our power play," Burke said. Kessel instantly becomes the best right wing on the Leafs' roster once he's healthy.

Burke also noted that Kessel is pleased with the events, saying the former Minnesota Gopher is "walking on air." Chiarelli mentioned his talk with Kessel on Friday, after the deal was done, and said Kessel was "disappointed" that things didn't work out in Boston.

While Boston would have needed to clear significant cap space for Kessel's contract, Toronto will not. They will need to make a minor move to clear salary before Kessel can be activated in November, or whenever he's healthy.

The Bruins will have to find a way to replace a 36-goal scorer, but Chiarelli is confident in his team's ability to improve.

"I think we have some player who will fill in those goals," Chiarelli said.

Burke has made his big move. Now, it's time to hope all his tinkering works well on the ice.