The ongoing Phil Kessel drama may have taken another interesting turn Thursday as the 21-year old sniper no longer intends to negotiate with the Boston Bruins.
The Boston Globe is reporting that Kessel's Toronto-based agent Wade Arnott has told the Bruins that his clients priority is to sign a free-agent offer sheet with one of the NHL's other 29 teams.
According to the Globe, Bruins' general manager Peter Chiarelli offered no comment when contacted.
Chiarelli has stated that the Bruins intend to match any offer made to their former first round draft choice.
The Bruins have reportedly offered Kessel a deal similar to the three-year, $11.25 million contract signed by David Krejci earlier in the summer, however it is believed that Kessel is looking for a contract between $4-5 million per season.
Boston have only $1.7 million in cap space available for the upcoming season and would likely have to make a move to shed salary to get Kessel back in the fold.
Should another team offer the Madison, Wisconsin native a contract on par with the terms that Kessel desires, the team would likely be forced to accept the compensation package of a first-second and third round draft pick.
It is believed that the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with the New York Rangers and the Nashville Predators all have interest in Kessel. The Leafs believed that they had a draft day deal in place to secure him for Tomas Kaberle and a draft pick prior to the deal falling apart. The Maple Leafs have also recently reacquired their own 2010 second round pick in a move believed to be a precursor to the signing of a offer sheet.
Kessel, who is sidelined until at least November following rotator cuff surgery, overcame a battle with testicular cancer in 2006 and captured the Masterton Trophy in 2007 for perseverance and dedication to hockey. He enjoyed a career season with the Bruins last year, leading the team with 36 goals in 70 games while adding 24 assists to finish with a career high 60 points. He was selected in the first round, fifth overall by the Bruins in the 2006 NHL Entry draft.