Phil Kessel

[Highlander]

I watched Phil (with Boston) play the Leafs several years ago and he scored two sniper goals on us in one game. You could feel the energy in him. I wanted him to be a Leaf from the first time I saw him and watch out, he will get even better. I went to the Tampa Forum to see the Leafs lose last February 0-2 and Kessel was the best Leaf on the ice. Always hustling.

 

[rdowdall]

Why can't I like this guy? Has nothin to do with the trade. Has nothing to do with him being a Yank. Just something about his face or something irritates me. I want to like him, I think he's a better player then he gets credit for, I feel sympathy for all the crap he's had to put up with since becoming a Leaf .... but still. Maybe after his 123 goal season I'll get over it and he'll grow on me.

Every time he comes up for an interview, I expect him to sound like the stapler guy in Office Space.

 

[Rebel_1812]

he was suppose to be the first overall pick in his draft year.  He oozes talent from the pours.

 

[Tigger]

he was suppose to be the first overall pick in his draft year.  He oozes talent from the pours.

I'm a little more talented after a few pours myself...

 

[Kin]

he was suppose to be the first overall pick in his draft year.

So....the fact that he wasn't doesn't temper that? So was Angelo Esposito.

 

[Zee]

Kessel was picked 5th overall, but from his draft year he's currently sitting with the 3rd most NHL points behind only Toews and Backstrom who were chosen 3 and 4 respectively.  So he's doing alright I'd say.

 

[Kin]

Kessel was picked 5th overall, but from his draft year he's currently sitting with the 3rd most NHL points behind only Toews and Backstrom who were chosen 3 and 4 respectively.  So he's doing alright I'd say.

Well, keeping in mind that the other two guys drafted in front of him are a defenseman and a defensive forward I'd say that's to be expected.

If they re-did that draft where does Kessel get picked? Behind Toews and Backstrom for sure. Behind Giroux I think. I think he'd be in the mix for fourth with Lucic, Stewart and Staal.

edit: Or Kulemin. In fact I think Kessel vs. Kulemin is an interesting debate right now.

 

[Number 5]

Kessel vs Kulemin?

I think Kulemin would kill him. Seriously injured, anyway.

 

[princedpw]

he was suppose to be the first overall pick in his draft year.  He oozes talent from the pours.

I'm a little more talented after a few pours myself...

Actually, you just think you are.  To be honest, not everyone perceives it the same way ....

 

[Tigger]

he was suppose to be the first overall pick in his draft year.  He oozes talent from the pours.

I'm a little more talented after a few pours myself...

Actually, you just think you are.  To be honest, not everyone perceives it the same way ....

Not that it was very funny but I thought that was an implied part of the joke, not merely wordplay.

 

[Bullfrog]

Not that it was very funny but I thought that was an implied part of the joke, not merely wordplay.

Don't worry, most people got it and found it slightly humourous.

 

[princedpw]

he was suppose to be the first overall pick in his draft year.  He oozes talent from the pours.

I'm a little more talented after a few pours myself...

Actually, you just think you are.  To be honest, not everyone perceives it the same way ....

Not that it was very funny but I thought that was an implied part of the joke, not merely wordplay.

I missed that ... But I did think your joke was amusing.

 

[Corn Flake]

Why can't I like this guy? Has nothin to do with the trade. Has nothing to do with him being a Yank. Just something about his face or something irritates me. I want to like him, I think he's a better player then he gets credit for, I feel sympathy for all the crap he's had to put up with since becoming a Leaf .... but still. Maybe after his 123 goal season I'll get over it and he'll grow on me.

Every time he comes up for an interview, I expect him to sound like the stapler guy in Office Space.

Quite the bunch of reasons to not like a guy in these two posts.

I really could care less is drool comes out of his mouth when he is interviewed, if he delivers on the ice. 

 

[rdowdall]

Why can't I like this guy? Has nothin to do with the trade. Has nothing to do with him being a Yank. Just something about his face or something irritates me. I want to like him, I think he's a better player then he gets credit for, I feel sympathy for all the crap he's had to put up with since becoming a Leaf .... but still. Maybe after his 123 goal season I'll get over it and he'll grow on me.

Every time he comes up for an interview, I expect him to sound like the stapler guy in Office Space.

Quite the bunch of reasons to not like a guy in these two posts.

I really could care less is drool comes out of his mouth when he is interviewed, if he delivers on the ice.

Your assuming I don't like the office space guy.

 

[Corn Flake]

Why can't I like this guy? Has nothin to do with the trade. Has nothing to do with him being a Yank. Just something about his face or something irritates me. I want to like him, I think he's a better player then he gets credit for, I feel sympathy for all the crap he's had to put up with since becoming a Leaf .... but still. Maybe after his 123 goal season I'll get over it and he'll grow on me.

Every time he comes up for an interview, I expect him to sound like the stapler guy in Office Space.

Quite the bunch of reasons to not like a guy in these two posts.

I really could care less is drool comes out of his mouth when he is interviewed, if he delivers on the ice.

Your assuming I don't like the office space guy.

Thats fair.

Kessel at the All Star selection was kind of like Milton at the party with the cake.

"The ratio of cake to people is too big."

"I could... put strychnine in the water cooler"

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

Why can't I like this guy? Has nothin to do with the trade. Has nothing to do with him being a Yank. Just something about his face or something irritates me. I want to like him, I think he's a better player then he gets credit for, I feel sympathy for all the crap he's had to put up with since becoming a Leaf .... but still. Maybe after his 123 goal season I'll get over it and he'll grow on me.

Every time he comes up for an interview, I expect him to sound like the stapler guy in Office Space.

Quite the bunch of reasons to not like a guy in these two posts.

I really could care less is drool comes out of his mouth when he is interviewed, if he delivers on the ice.

Your assuming I don't like the office space guy.

Thats fair.

Kessel at the All Star selection was kind of like Milton at the party with the cake.

"The ratio of cake to people is too big."

"I could... put strychnine in the water cooler"

You don't think he'll burn down the ACC do you?

 

[rdowdall]

Why can't I like this guy? Has nothin to do with the trade. Has nothing to do with him being a Yank. Just something about his face or something irritates me. I want to like him, I think he's a better player then he gets credit for, I feel sympathy for all the crap he's had to put up with since becoming a Leaf .... but still. Maybe after his 123 goal season I'll get over it and he'll grow on me.

Every time he comes up for an interview, I expect him to sound like the stapler guy in Office Space.

Quite the bunch of reasons to not like a guy in these two posts.

I really could care less is drool comes out of his mouth when he is interviewed, if he delivers on the ice.

Your assuming I don't like the office space guy.

Thats fair.

Kessel at the All Star selection was kind of like Milton at the party with the cake.

"The ratio of cake to people is too big."

"I could... put strychnine in the water cooler"

You don't think he'll burn down the ACC do you?

Who knows?  Whatever you do, don't touch his stapler.

 

[Kaberle15]

...Maybe after his 123 goal season I'll get over it and he'll grow on me.

He is in pace for 137G, 82 A for 219 points  and a plus rate of 191 
Also he is playing with Bozak... I can only imagine that his numbers will go up with Connolly  :

 

[slapshot]

Right now, Kessel is playing like someone with superstar status, at least for a couple of games. There are only a handful of players in the league with a skill set like he has. He's lifted his game to another gear. The question is consistency. I'm sure no one expects these kind of games every night, but to have his recent level of effort on a consistent basis, he'll put up some really good numbers.
How many guys in the league that play his kind of game, skating and sniping, have a better skills set? Not many.
When Kessel is playing at the top of his game, you just can't wait for him to get the puck in some kind of scoring position. He's that dangerous. Imagine him playing with someone like Crosby. He's rack up 50-60 goals.

 

[maplesyrup]

The 8 points (5 G, 3 A) in the 3 games is nice and everything but in those three, he's been arguably our best two-way forward too.  - That's the part which is flooring me.