Blog - Sports

Ryan Kesler's in for a huge raise when his current contract with the Vancouver Canucks expires at the end of this season. But just how much will Kesler be able to command based on the fact he's easily been the best Canuck through the first 16 games of the season?

With three more points in November 3's 4-1 win over the New York Rangers, Kesler has 16 points in 16 games, he's skating miles, has raised his play to a level where he's now controlling hockey games, and, in an Olympic year, is now the highest scoring American player in the NHL. Always a terrific defensive player, Kesler has taken his offensive abilities to new heights despite the rash of injuries that have plagued the Canucks in the early going.

So what's it going to take to re-sign him? He's in the final year of a three-year deal in which he's making $1.75 million. You can bet the Kesler camp will point to Mike Richards of the Philadelphia Flyers when trying to come up with comparables.

Kesler and Richards were selected back to back—23rd and 24th overall—in the 2003 NHL entry draft. They're both 25 years old. They were both finalists for the Frank Selke trophy as the best defensive forwards in the league last season. And both have emerged as guys who are tough to play against and rarely take a night off. Kesler has 16 points this year (5+11) while Richards has 15 (8+7) and both do it playing roughly the same 19 minutes per game.

Here's the kicker—Mike Richards makes $5.75 million a season and will through the 2019-2020 season after signing a 12-year/$69-million extension last December. Now, Richards is the Flyers captain, has had 28- and 30-goal seasons in the NHL and has already led Philly to the third round of the playoffs.

Kesler had a career-best 26 goals last year and is on that pace again this season, is an alternate captain on the Canucks, and has made it as far as the second round of the post-season. So the Canucks have a couple of points to counter the direct comparisons to Richards. Ryan Kesler may not be Mike Richards, but he's proving with his play these days that he's not far off. And with each night the way he's playing, he's driving up his bargaining power.

With Roberto Luongo and the Sedins already locked up to long-term extensions that will pay all three well over $5.3 million a season, the Canucks likely can't handle another contract in the $5 million range. Kesler may have to settle for closer to the $4 million the Canucks will have when Pavol Demitra's contract comes off the books. Regardless, Ryan Kesler's going to get a sizeable salary bump. But based on the way he's started this season, it's hard to say he hasn't earned it.