Blake Kessel 2010-11 SEASON REVIEW:

Blake Kessel

Date of birth: April 13, 1989 (2010-11 Season Age: 21)

Place of birth: Madison, WI, USA
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205
Shooting Hand: Right
College Season: Junior Year (3rd year)
Drafted: NY Islanders In the 6th Round (166th Overall) of the 2007 NHL Draft 
Acquired: Originally Drafted By The NY Islanders

2010-11 Season Stats:

University Of New Hampshire  H-East:  GP: 39 G: 5 A: 22 P: 27 PIM: 32

Short-Term Status:
If he decides to turn pro next season, he will probably see time somewhere between the 2nd and bottom pair for Bridgeport with an outside chance of starting in the ECHL. He would be eased into the pro-game but I am confident by November he would be one of the most consistent and solid defenseman for what ever team he is playing for. If he stays at UNH (the more likely scenario) for his Senior year, he will be their go-to-guy on the back-end and receive a ton of minutes in all situations. 

Long-Term Status:

Kessel is an interesting prospect for the future because of the fact that his upside and downside are so far apart from each other. His upside could be as large as a top 4 defenseman in the NHL but I have heard people say they think his downside could be as low as an average AHL'er (which I think is ridiculous). I personally peg him as a guy who will be a solid bottom-pairing defenseman in the NHL. 

Contract Status:

NO NHL CONTRACT AS OF APRIL 20th 2011

Review:

Blake Kessel had a solid season but his point production took a significant hit from last season's total. His 2009-10 production of 38 points in 38 games set high standards which led to some disappointment in his 27 points through 39 games this year. Although that is significant, it shouldn't be used to measure his overall effectiveness because I believe his defensive game improved by leaps and bounds. He has turned into a very solid two-way defenseman who can run the UNH Power Play with the best of them and then jump right onto the Penalty Kill and shut down the other team's big scorers. If he decides to stay with UNH for one more year, I believe it will help him and possibly eliminate any need for him to spend time in the AHL following his collegiate career. The reason I am led to believe he will in fact be staying in college for his senior year, is because it was announced earlier today (here) that Blake Kessel will be an Assistant Captain for the University of New Hampshire for the 2011-12 season. The fact that it was announced now indicates that in all likely hood he will return because if he was planning to leave they wouldn't have given him that position. We will see Blake Kessel signed for the 2012-13 season. 

Season Grade (A+ to F-): B

His point totals took a big hit but, I was very happy with his play in the defensive zone. He used his body more effectively and showed better awareness in his own zone. Overall it looks like he is doing exactly what the Isles are looking to see from him and that's for him to improve on his flaws.  

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