I guess Andrew Cogliano is a fool for dissing St. Mike's and going the college route next year, too
I don't see all the benefits of Kessel going to major juniors. Look at how Crosby, as a 16 year old, destroyed the league. In 59 games he posted 135 points. How, exactly, does that help one's development when obviously he's already too good for the place? Apparently there's a lack of defense in the league. I'm not saying that Kessel is going to put up similar numbers because Crosby is an extremely special player, but if he's as good as everyone's making him out to be I'd expect him to upt up quite a few points. But it's almost as if he'd just be going there to pad his stats.
If Kessel goes to college, he'll be playing against more of a mix of some good young talent his age and some older, more mature players (and some goons). I don't find that bad at all seeing as whenever he makes the jump to the pros he'll be in the same situation facing younger and older players (and not all of whom are as talented, either). And I certainly don't expect him to be putting up 130 points in college, either.
Don't underestimate the skill level of college hockey, either. 10 years ago you had a team like Michigan destroying everyone in the CCHA with 10-1 scores. Today there's a lot intense 2-1 and 3-2 battles from the top to bottom of each league with the occasional blowout of certain bottomfeeders. But the amount of talent in the NCAA is vastly improved all across the board from where it was a decade ago. And there's a lot of top Canadian talent crossing the border to play.
Kessel may play half the amount of games college, though I don't think that'll hurt him. It didn't hurt Dany Heatley playing at Wisconsin for two years and he was picked #2 overall in the draft. It also didn't hurt several other of the afforementioned college players who have gone on to great pro careers. And who really cares where he is drafted? Mike Comrie was a 3rd round pick and he's better than a lot of the 1st round picks from that year. Just because someone is drafted high doesn't mean they will make the pros. Every year there's a lot of first round busts.
As Kessel said, he grew up watching college hockey and it's the way he wants to go. So what's wrong with that? His cousin David Moss plays for Michigan and has absolutely loved the experience, so it's not like he's going into this blind, either.
Every player chooses a path. College isn't for everyone, major juniors isn't for everyone. Each league has its benefits, and each one can get you to the big dance. My belief has always been it doesn't matter which path you choose, if you're good enough, you will make it.