Player Parallels - Kessel and Pederson

Phil Kessel reminds me of Barry Pederson.

Pederson was this fantastic prospect with the Boston Bruins. He started off his career with three spectacular seasons with the Bruins, scoring 92, 107 and 116 points respectively. He was clearly one of the best young players in the game in the early 1980s.

Then his career was threatened by the diagnosis of a benign tumor in his shoulder, and he would miss most of the 1984-85 season. He would return to the Bruins, but would be traded to Vancouver in a high profile trade for a prospect and a high draft pick. The prospect's name was Cam Neely. The draft pick ended up being third overall. The Bruins selected Glen Wesley.

Fast forward to now. Phil Kessel is the Bruins prized prospect, breaking out in year three to arrive as one of the top young players of the game. This despite being diagnosed and treated for testicular cancer during his rookie season.

In his fourth season he was traded to Toronto in a high profile trade for 2 first round draft picks, one in 2010 and one in 2011, and a 2nd round draft pick. Could one of those draft picks turn into a top three pick? Could the Bruins get another player as good as Wesley? Or even Cam Neely? Will Phil Kessel achieve his promise

Interesting parallels to watch as Phil Kessel continues his career in Toronto.

The Leafs play the Bruins tonight in Boston.