Kessel will probably be an Olympian. But will be he a Bruin?

Here is an interesting article from the USA Today that talks about Phil Kessel's surgery/rehabilitation, also the article mentions where Kessel is at in the contract negotiations, they are kind of still at a stalemate. On the positive note it seems like the rehab is going better than the contract negotiations. Kessel is saying he will be back in November some time. I get kind of giddy especially when I have read that he might not be back till December. Of course if Kessel ends up in anything other than a Wild or Bruins jersey I won't be all that giddy. Personally I think Kessel would be smart to take 3.75-4 Million in the form of a one year contract and go from there. If Kessel has a strong year then he can get himself a decent raise.

WOODRIDGE, Il. -- It seemed appropriate that injured Phil Kessel modeled one of Team USA's new sweaters Monday because it might be more likely that he will wear that jersey than his Boston Bruins garb next season. Given his speed and skill, Kessel is close to being a sure bet for the Olympic team, but he is not close to a new deal with the Bruins. "It's at a stalemate and I don't know what's going to happen," Kessel said. "…I think it could go either way at this point." Kessel, 21, said he would like to stay in Boston, but he certainly understands that the Bruins might deal him because of the contract issue. The Bruins did discuss trading Kessel to Toronto during the NHL draft in June. He would like to know sooner rather than later about his future. "There is no date," Kessel said. "…either way it will get done before the season for sure." Kessel is coming off shoulder surgery, but he believes he will be ready to play in early or mid-November. His range of motion is now at about 95% on the repaired shoulder. "I'm in the strength phase now," Kessel said.

Neither side is revealing where the negotiations are at, but the Bruins signed David Krejci, 21, for an average of $3.75 million over three seasons. Meanwhile, another 21-year-old, Anze Kopitar, received an average of $6.8 million from the Los Angeles Kings. At 23, Paul Stastny in Colorado is making $6.6 million per season. The compromise is probably in the middle of that range, but the Bruins likely would want to be closer to the Krejci number, closer to an average salary of $4 million. [props]