Will Kesler settle for less money?
Pending RFA willing to take pay cut like Burrows for Cup chance
By Ben Kuzma, The ProvinceMarch 19, 2009
Canucks centre Ryan Kesler is having career season with 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points in 69 games.
The team concept works in theory, but is lost in translation when it comes to the bottom line.
Players will preach about being on the same page and sacrificing personal glory for betterment of team goals. However, when it comes to contracts, it's often every man for himself and pocket as much as you can for as long as you can.
Then there's Alex Burrows. And now Ryan Kesler.
Burrows left money on the table when he signed a four-year, $8-million-US contract extension on March 3 instead of becoming an unrestricted free agent July 1. The feisty Vancouver Canucks winger reasoned taking less offers more financial flexibility to sign others and ensure the franchise remains competitive. How noble.
Now Kesler is singing the same tune. How interesting.
The Canucks can start talking contract extension July 1, and it would be in their best interests to start kicking those tires now and then lock up the restricted free agent long-term. Allowing Kesler to build on this career season when the final year of his deal plays out in 2009-10 would only up the ante because he will also have arbitration rights.
If Kesler is willing to agree to a sensible salary -- he's earning a paltry $1.75 million annually -- coupled with long-term security, it will be music to the ears of Canucks GM Mike Gillis. Maybe not so much for Kesler's agent, Kurt Overhardt.
"It's important that I don't talk contracts and important that I fly under the radar," Overhardt said Wednesday. "Ryan has always had the skill and fortitude. It's about opportunity and maturing."
Kesler was the team's unsung hero last season. This season, he's unbelievable. His 50 points [21-29] through 69 games, stellar special-teams play, grit and determination speak of a 24-year-old who has taken a quantum leap in versatility, ability and confidence. The days of tunnel vision and not using his linemates are long gone for the projected U.S. Olympian.
If those of the same age vary financially from Dustin Brown of Los Angeles making $2.6 million this season to Mike Richards of Philadelphia earning $5.4 million, where does Kesler slot in? And why would he take less than market value?
"That's what we need everybody to do," said Kesler. "If we're going to win the Cup, we need guys to take pay cuts. The way the salary cap is now, you really can't get what you're worth now if you want to win. Everybody in this locker-room knows that, and for us to be a great team going forward, we're going to have to take a pay cut."
The Canucks have $32 million committed to salaries next season, but that doesn't include Henrik and Daniel Sedin, who are seeking rich, long-term extensions. Factor them in at $6 million annually apiece and the club is already at $44 million without figuring if free agents Mats Sundin, Steve Bernier, Taylor Pyatt and Kyle Wellwood will work into the future mix. To his credit, Kesler is as wary of that as his own financial lot.
"I want to play here for a long time," said Kesler. "I think we can win with the group of guys we've got here and that's the important thing. I like the direction. We're not in a rebuilding phase and I like that this organization wants to win badly."
If that's as badly as Kesler, then the future should be bright. In a 4-2 win over Dallas on Tuesday, he scored a highlight-reel goal -- splitting two defenceman and roofing a backhand -- and did the spade work to set up a scoring sequence for Mats Sundin. He led all Canucks forwards with 19:23 of ice time (5:42 of it short-handed), had three shots, two blocked shots and was a plus-1.
"He works extremely hard and never takes a shift or of night off," said Burrows. "If I have to make a phone call and tell him to leave some money on the table for signing some other guys, then why not? But he's worth every penny that he can get. I don't think it would be a good idea for them [Canucks] to wait until next season because he's only getting better. And that's the scary thing."
Sundin said Kesler is a far cry from the agitating shutdown centre he faced with the Maple Leafs.
"He was tripping me every time we played them," recalled Sundin. "He's certainly coming into his own this year and it's just a treat playing with him. He's playing a complete game and he plays hard-nosed."
bkuzma@theprovince.com
© Copyright (c) The Province
Canucks centre Ryan Kesler is having career season with 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points in 69 games.
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