Phil Kessel

[Zee]

I think he could hit 50. I am not holding my breath but it is possible. I also see Lup's hitting 35.

50 is a bit unrealistic, that would mean 20 goals in the next 29 games.  If he did that I'm pretty sure the Leafs would be a lock for the playoffs, possibly finishing as high as 5th in the conference.

Just by comparison, remember how hot Kessel was at the start of the season? Well in the first 29 games of the year he scored 18 goals.  So for  him to get 20 in the final 29 would be his best stretch of games all season.

 

[maplesyrup]

I guess I'm easier to please than some... I'd be happy if he hit 37 goals which would surpass his career best. Incidentally, He needs just 7 more points to pass his career best 64 points which he hit last year.

Edit: Though I suppose if he only records 7 more goals and 7 more total points from here on out it probably means the team as a whole is struggling...

 

[princedpw]

I'll just add -- I think "40 goals" is the new "50 goals".  In other words, it is about as hard to hit 40 as it was to hit 50.  Only a handful of guys will be at the 40 goal mark -- Stamkos, Kessel, Malkin, Neal ...

 

[Zee]

I guess I'm easier to please than some... I'd be happy if he hit 37 goals which would surpass his career best. Incidentally, He needs just 7 more points to pass his career best 64 points which he hit last year.

Edit: Though I suppose if he only records 7 more goals and 7 more total points from here on out it probably means the team as a whole is struggling...

Oh yeah, if Kessel only manages 7 more goal or points in 29 games...yikes. (Unless Grabovski gets 29 points in 29 games)

 

[gunnar36]

Is anybody else noticing how often kessel's shot gets blocked lately?  Whenever he pauses briefly to load up that snap shot it seems that defenders are easily getting in the lane and blocking it.  This happens on the PP quite often.... he needs to find a way to start getting those through again.  I dont know if they keep a stat on this but i would be interested to know how may shot attempts vs. actual shots on goal he has had

 

[Highlander]

did you know at one point that Babe Ruth held the record for strike outs at the same time he had the record for home runs...go figure
Phil Kessel if he had a "Sundin"  for a centre would not be up to 50 goals for this season.
But alas there are not to many Matt's around anymore

 

[Kessel_81]

http://www.tsn.ca/toronto/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=390185

seems as if Phil is kinda p.o.'ed about the recent slide. this is good to see. He's a helluva leader for this team IMO

 

[Zee]

http://www.tsn.ca/toronto/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=390185

seems as if Phil is kinda p.o.'ed about the recent slide. this is good to see. He's a helluva leader for this team IMO

Jonas Siegel's opinion of Kessel was he didn't say much in the press before cause he might not totally trust what will be printed and worries his words might be twisted around so he would usually stay silent.  It's good to see him opening up, and voicing his frustration, maybe it's the start of Kessel taking on more of a leadership role as he gets older.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

http://www.tsn.ca/toronto/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=390185

seems as if Phil is kinda p.o.'ed about the recent slide. this is good to see. He's a helluva leader for this team IMO

Jonas Siegel's opinion of Kessel was he didn't say much in the press before cause he might not totally trust what will be printed and worries his words might be twisted around so he would usually stay silent.  It's good to see him opening up, and voicing his frustration, maybe it's the start of Kessel taking on more of a leadership role as he gets older.

I still think Kessel's defensive game will improve. If NJ can turn a lazy floater like Kovalchuk into a solid two way forward then there is hope for Kessel. Also Mogilny became a good two way forward later in his career as well.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I'd agree with the leadership coming with age comments from some above.  It's hard not to forget given how dynamic the guy is, that's still a young man who is maturing.

 

[Corn Flake]

http://www.tsn.ca/toronto/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=390185

seems as if Phil is kinda p.o.'ed about the recent slide. this is good to see. He's a helluva leader for this team IMO

Jonas Siegel's opinion of Kessel was he didn't say much in the press before cause he might not totally trust what will be printed and worries his words might be twisted around so he would usually stay silent.  It's good to see him opening up, and voicing his frustration, maybe it's the start of Kessel taking on more of a leadership role as he gets older.

Good if he can trust Seigel.  I think he is one of the few out there who is more of a classic reporter and minimizes the opinion side of things.  Would be nice to hear more from Kessel. 

 

[Redleaf]

If nothing else, the last two games have proven that Kessel needs a dynamic partner to work with. He can't provide the offense himself. Lupul's absence is a key reason were not scoring right now.

 

[Zee]

http://www.tsn.ca/toronto/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=390185

seems as if Phil is kinda p.o.'ed about the recent slide. this is good to see. He's a helluva leader for this team IMO

Jonas Siegel's opinion of Kessel was he didn't say much in the press before cause he might not totally trust what will be printed and worries his words might be twisted around so he would usually stay silent.  It's good to see him opening up, and voicing his frustration, maybe it's the start of Kessel taking on more of a leadership role as he gets older.

I still think Kessel's defensive game will improve. If NJ can turn a lazy floater like Kovalchuk into a solid two way forward then there is hope for Kessel. Also Mogilny became a good two way forward later in his career as well.

I never really thought Kessel would improve his game to the point he has this season, and I believe he can still get better.  He's really turned into a more consistent player this season, now he has to get his defensive game in order as well.  The Kovalchuk comparison is valid, he used to be a cherry picker standing at center ice waiting for breakaways.

 

[Erndog]

If nothing else, the last two games have proven that Kessel needs a dynamic partner to work with. He can't provide the offense himself. Lupul's absence is a key reason were not scoring right now.

The complete opposite has been said for a while.

For the 2 seasons prior to this Kessel has basically played with no one (he had Crabb on his line for long stretches last season) and still scored 30+.  He can score 30+ playing with anyone.  Lupul should really helps bury some more of his linemates' chances and keeps Phil a lot more consistent (less dry spells).

 

[Zee]

If nothing else, the last two games have proven that Kessel needs a dynamic partner to work with. He can't provide the offense himself. Lupul's absence is a key reason were not scoring right now.

The complete opposite has been said for a while.

For the 2 seasons prior to this Kessel has basically played with no one (he had Crabb on his line for long stretches last season) and still scored 30+.  He can score 30+ playing with anyone.  Lupul should really helps bury some more of his linemates' chances and keeps Phil a lot more consistent (less dry spells).

Yeah you're right, a big part of why Kessel has been more consistent is the career season Lupul put together.  Teams couldn't just key off Kessel on the top line or Lupul would burn them.  That is true for many players in the league though, if you only have 1 guy on a line producing, that player is going to suffer inconsistent spells when teams really bear down on him.  You need at least 2 guys on a line going.

 

[gunnar36]

seems as if Phil is kinda p.o.'ed about the recent slide. this is good to see. He's a helluva leader for this team IMO

Kessel a leader? ???

If he was really a leader on this team he would play with a lot more heart and actually go in the dirty areas to get the puck.  Someone needs to take him on an orientation around the rink and show him where the corners are...
If Kessel is pissed at anything it should be his own play recently on the defensive side of things.  He is far too easy to play against.  Blocking a shot here and there or winning a puck battle would go a long way to showing some leadership on the ice.

 

[Fanatic]

Stamkos scored # 50. Remember the first half of the season when Kessel was the scoring leader? Too bad for Phil the other guys just kept on scoring in the second half.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Stamkos scored # 50. Remember the first half of the season when Kessel was the scoring leader? Too bad for Phil the other guys just kept on scoring in the second half.

I'm assuming you're ignoring the fact that February was Kessel's 2nd most productive month of the season (next to October) on purpose?

 

[princedpw]

Stamkos scored # 50. Remember the first half of the season when Kessel was the scoring leader? Too bad for Phil the other guys just kept on scoring in the second half.

You don't get very far by saying "Kessel sucks because he isn't the number 1 goal scorer in the NHL" ... if that is what you are trying to say. 

From what I understand, Kessel is the 3rd leading scorer in the NHL after 70 games, playing now with a guy many teams might consider a border-line 3rd line center (Bozak) and another guy Connolly whom a number of fans suggest kicking down to the 4th line or all the way off the team, they despise his play so much. 

 

[Fanatic]

Stamkos scored # 50. Remember the first half of the season when Kessel was the scoring leader? Too bad for Phil the other guys just kept on scoring in the second half.

I'm assuming you're ignoring the fact that February was Kessel's 2nd most productive month of the season (next to October) on purpose?

And I should assume that you find the difference between 10 goals in October and 6 in February to be negligible?

In the first three months of this year he scored 21 goals and since then he is now at 13. I think that is a noteworthy drop off.