Nothing New On The Kessel Front

from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe, (Phil) Kessel, who will turn 22 at the start of the NHL season, underwent shoulder surgery soon after the Bruins were eliminated by Carolina in Round 2 of the playoffs and likely won’t be ready to play until December. A restricted free agent without arbitration rights, he remains unsigned and has not said publicly what he wants to be paid in his next deal. Meanwhile, Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli, who made the Kessel camp a requisite qualifying offer in June, remains hopeful that the sides can broker an agreement. “Right now, there is nothing going on,’’ Chiarelli said. “This is a player that we still covet, and we’ll do anything to keep him - within reason, including matching an offer sheet and shuffling our roster around.’’ Kessel, with 66 career goals on his résumé, likely is being offered a deal in line with David Krejci’s new pact - three years at a $3.75 million average. more plus other hockey notes…