• For users coming over from tmlfans.ca your username will remain the same but you will need to use the password reset feature (check your spam folder) on the login page in order to set your password. If you encounter issues, email Rick couchmanrick@gmail.com

Phil Kessel

Has anybody asked the question as to how PK and his public perception (OK my perception) of being "fragile" mentally will get along with Carlyle? I see Carlyle as Keenan-lite and may very well drive PK nuts. It was only a short sample but PK disappeared into thin air after Carlyle took over.
 
lamajama said:
It was only a short sample but PK disappeared into thin air after Carlyle took over.

5 goals and 14 points in 18 games under Carlyle isn't exactly "disappearing into thin air," especially when paired with the fact that he was without Lupul on his wing through that stretch.
 
bustaheims said:
lamajama said:
It was only a short sample but PK disappeared into thin air after Carlyle took over.

5 goals and 14 points in 18 games under Carlyle isn't exactly "disappearing into thin air," especially when paired with the fact that he was without Lupul on his wing through that stretch.

I agree, a little help for him would have gone a long way.
 
BlueWhiteBlood said:
bustaheims said:
lamajama said:
It was only a short sample but PK disappeared into thin air after Carlyle took over.

5 goals and 14 points in 18 games under Carlyle isn't exactly "disappearing into thin air," especially when paired with the fact that he was without Lupul on his wing through that stretch.

I agree, a little help for him would have gone a long way.

Yeah, Lupul missing, a new system and the fact that the team was totally demoralized by then were all factors into this.  Kessel still put up some points, he'll be fine.
 
Zee said:
Yeah, Lupul missing, a new system and the fact that the team was totally demoralized by then were all factors into this.  Kessel still put up some points, he'll be fine.

I'm with whoever said earlier that " the last thing the Leaf's need to worry about, is Phil Kessel"...
We need the rest of the team to pull up their socks and play as close to his level as possible.
 
BlueWhiteBlood said:
Zee said:
Yeah, Lupul missing, a new system and the fact that the team was totally demoralized by then were all factors into this.  Kessel still put up some points, he'll be fine.

I'm with whoever said earlier that " the last thing the Leaf's need to worry about, is Phil Kessel"...
We need the rest of the team to pull up their socks and play as close to his level as possible.

The big change this year will be all Carlyle, all the time.  It's all about the system with Carlyle, no more freewheeling/lack of backchecking.  The entire team has to play together for this to work.  If they do, Kessel has all the talent in the world to put up his points.  I don't think he'll stay top 10 scoring under this system, but the Leafs should win more which is ultimately the goal.
 
Zee said:
BlueWhiteBlood said:
Zee said:
Yeah, Lupul missing, a new system and the fact that the team was totally demoralized by then were all factors into this.  Kessel still put up some points, he'll be fine.

I'm with whoever said earlier that " the last thing the Leaf's need to worry about, is Phil Kessel"...
We need the rest of the team to pull up their socks and play as close to his level as possible.

The big change this year will be all Carlyle, all the time.  It's all about the system with Carlyle, no more freewheeling/lack of backchecking.  The entire team has to play together for this to work.  If they do, Kessel has all the talent in the world to put up his points.  I don't think he'll stay top 10 scoring under this system, but the Leafs should win more which is ultimately the goal.

Kessel played in Julien's system and did okay.  Was actually a plus player.  Of course he was disgruntled and wanted out of Boston because of it, but his play on the ice was fine.
 
Zee said:
The big change this year will be all Carlyle, all the time.  It's all about the system with Carlyle, no more freewheeling/lack of backchecking.  The entire team has to play together for this to work.  If they do, Kessel has all the talent in the world to put up his points.  I don't think he'll stay top 10 scoring under this system, but the Leafs should win more which is ultimately the goal.

Or, we can look at it in the light, that the better team defense the rest of the team plays, will ultimately help Phil out with forcing defensive zone turnovers for the other team and transition to him on offense. Not that he won't back-check more, but I think the better the defense of the team will allow him to score even more.
He's changed his game to be more responsible last season, so I don't think he will have a problem getting more involved in the defense, because it gets him back up the other way quicker.
 
Significantly Insignificant said:
Zee said:
BlueWhiteBlood said:
Zee said:
Yeah, Lupul missing, a new system and the fact that the team was totally demoralized by then were all factors into this.  Kessel still put up some points, he'll be fine.

I'm with whoever said earlier that " the last thing the Leaf's need to worry about, is Phil Kessel"...
We need the rest of the team to pull up their socks and play as close to his level as possible.

The big change this year will be all Carlyle, all the time.  It's all about the system with Carlyle, no more freewheeling/lack of backchecking.  The entire team has to play together for this to work.  If they do, Kessel has all the talent in the world to put up his points.  I don't think he'll stay top 10 scoring under this system, but the Leafs should win more which is ultimately the goal.

Kessel played in Julien's system and did okay.  Was actually a plus player.  Of course he was disgruntled and wanted out of Boston because of it, but his play on the ice was fine.

Yeah that's what I was saying.  Kessel is talented enough to still lead the Leafs in points, hell he's expected to, but I doubt he'll be in the top 5 scoring like he was last season.  I see many low-scoring games this season if Carlyle gets what he wants.
 
Zee said:
Significantly Insignificant said:
Zee said:
BlueWhiteBlood said:
Zee said:
Yeah, Lupul missing, a new system and the fact that the team was totally demoralized by then were all factors into this.  Kessel still put up some points, he'll be fine.

I'm with whoever said earlier that " the last thing the Leaf's need to worry about, is Phil Kessel"...
We need the rest of the team to pull up their socks and play as close to his level as possible.

The big change this year will be all Carlyle, all the time.  It's all about the system with Carlyle, no more freewheeling/lack of backchecking.  The entire team has to play together for this to work.  If they do, Kessel has all the talent in the world to put up his points.  I don't think he'll stay top 10 scoring under this system, but the Leafs should win more which is ultimately the goal.

Kessel played in Julien's system and did okay.  Was actually a plus player.  Of course he was disgruntled and wanted out of Boston because of it, but his play on the ice was fine.

Yeah that's what I was saying.  Kessel is talented enough to still lead the Leafs in points, hell he's expected to, but I doubt he'll be in the top 5 scoring like he was last season.  I see many low-scoring games this season if Carlyle gets what he wants Luongo.

:P
 
bustaheims said:
lamajama said:
It was only a short sample but PK disappeared into thin air after Carlyle took over.

5 goals and 14 points in 18 games under Carlyle isn't exactly "disappearing into thin air," especially when paired with the fact that he was without Lupul on his wing through that stretch.

Don't forget that injured wrist he had. There was something noticeably lacking from his shot near the end of the season and that obviously explained it.
 
Nik Pollock said:
Kessel was the Leafs only mention on TSN's top 50 players in the league list, coming in at a robust 47th:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=81134

Meh, he's still ahead of RNH and Hall  :o

All kidding aside there's a few I'd take issue with (Staal @ #21, Spezza @ #23, Parise @ #13 amongst some others)

Getzlaf had 11 G and 57 pts last year and was a -11. Good enough for 34th. Bergeron had 22 G and 64 pts and was +36 and is 35th.

Hrmmm...

 
Chev-boyar-sky said:
Nik Pollock said:
Kessel was the Leafs only mention on TSN's top 50 players in the league list, coming in at a robust 47th:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=81134

Meh, he's still ahead of RNH and Hall  :o

All kidding aside there's a few I'd take issue with (Staal @ #21, Spezza @ #23, Parise @ #13 amongst some others)

Getzlaf had 11 G and 57 pts last year and was a -11. Good enough for 34th. Bergeron had 22 G and 64 pts and was +36 and is 35th.

Hrmmm...

Not to mention Eberle at 25 - but TSN falls over themselves for him going to the washroom.  Or Seguin at 31.
 
Chev-boyar-sky said:
Meh, he's still ahead of RNH and Hall  :o

All kidding aside there's a few I'd take issue with (Staal @ #21, Spezza @ #23, Parise @ #13 amongst some others)

Getzlaf had 11 G and 57 pts last year and was a -11. Good enough for 34th. Bergeron had 22 G and 64 pts and was +36 and is 35th.

Hrmmm...

The difference between the majority of the 21-50 range is pretty small and their rankings are very debatable. In some cases, last season had a massive influence on their rankings. In others, it seems to have had very little impact. Not surprising from a subjective ranking.
 
After seeing Kessel break away on a partial break for a loose puck on Saturday, I apologize for all the pannetone jokes.
 

About Us

This website is NOT associated with the Toronto Maple Leafs or the NHL.


It is operated by Rick Couchman and Jeff Lewis.
Back
Top