Phil Kessel

[ZBBM]

I agree that he is generally working hard on offense. But I was watching him fairly closely on defense last night and he still floats quite a bit.

The bottom line is that he does one thing really well and that one thing only. And he's not doing it right now. Until that changes he's dragging the team down.

 

[Corn Flake]

1st line's plan is get puck to Kessel.  That's not enough options.

I think that is becoming the plan they are defaulting to because of how bad they want to get Kessel going.  If he was going there would be way more natural flow to that line and all 3 of them would be producing more.  So they are looking for him more than they probably should be and passing to him at times when they should be looking for other options.  Just like JVR passing to him on that two on one the other night... any normal time and he takes that shot.

 

[Tutu]

Sorry if this has already been discussed, but I'd like to know what the general attitude in regards to trading Phil Kessel is.

I think Kessel is a great player and I would love to re-sign him, but I question whether he actually wants to stay here.

We've missed the playoffs every season he's been here, In the process he witnessed his old team hoist the Stanley Cup.

It's no secret Mr.Kessel is an introvert who seems rather uncomfortable in the spotlight Toronto puts on him. I wouldn't be surprised if he wants out.

 

[draeko17]

I hear/see a lot of people stating they wouldn't be surprised if Kessel wanted out so let's trade him.  Lots of comments about how he doesn't like the spot like in Toronto and probably wants out because of it and because of how poor the team has been.  Nothing Phil has said ever has given me the impression he is unhappy to be Toronto, regardless of the state of the team.  And it's my understanding he made it clear to Brian Burke that he wanted to come to Toronto.  Likely he knew about the media frenzy that follows the team before he came here and had some idea what he was walking in to.  Certainly he wouldn't have been expecting it be somewhere that he would not be facing a lot of media attention.  Nothing I've seen or heard about Phil Kessel suggests to me that he wants out.

 

[PG]

Likely he knew about the media frenzy that follows the team before he came here and had some idea what he was walking in to.

Not sure about this. Just as one example, I remember Nieuwendyk, who was obviously a multiple Cup-winning veteran, expressing surprise at how much and closely this team is followed by the media. I remember specifically he couldn't believe how many media outlets would be present at their practices.

 

[draeko17]

Likely he knew about the media frenzy that follows the team before he came here and had some idea what he was walking in to.

Not sure about this. Just as one example, I remember Nieuwendyk, who was obviously a multiple Cup-winning veteran, expressing surprise at how much and closely this team is followed by the media. I remember specifically he couldn't believe how many media outlets would be present at their practices.

And I think that's a fair response.  I thought about that while I was drafting my comment.  That's why I wrote "some idea what he was walking in to".  We've heard other players from other teams in the past comment about the media storm that comes with the Leafs and how they wouldn't want to play here. 

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I agree that he is generally working hard on offense. But I was watching him fairly closely on defense last night and he still floats quite a bit.

The bottom line is that he does one thing really well and that one thing only. And he's not doing it right now. Until that changes he's dragging the team down.

Dragging the team down? Really? Are you kidding me?

You do realize that when Kessel is on the ice, Boston has there best players out their to defend against him, including Chara?

What this does it frees up space for the other 2 lines(Grabovski and Kadri)....

Although Kessel isn't contributing on the score sheet(right now), his contributions still help the team progress offensively....He's still dangerous out there and other teams take notice.

 

[PG]

Likely he knew about the media frenzy that follows the team before he came here and had some idea what he was walking in to.

Not sure about this. Just as one example, I remember Nieuwendyk, who was obviously a multiple Cup-winning veteran, expressing surprise at how much and closely this team is followed by the media. I remember specifically he couldn't believe how many media outlets would be present at their practices.

And I think that's a fair response.  I thought about that while I was drafting my comment.  That's why I wrote "some idea what he was walking in to".  We've heard other players from other teams in the past comment about the media storm that comes with the Leafs and how they wouldn't want to play here.

I get what you're saying. I just think understanding the media coverage here is one of those things you simply cannot explain and a player only truly "gets" it after he's here and playing for them.

I remember reading an article about Phil in the Star and the interviewee was his brother. The article didn't come out and say so but one could tell that they had obviously originally asked Phil himself and he had turned them down. That in itself is no big deal but I remember a good portion of the article was his brother talking about how Phil has come out of his shell and really does love the attention and playing in Toronto. my reaction was umm, yeah, I am not buying what you're selling.

If I had to place a bet on it, my guess is he leaves. And that may not necessarily be a bad thing depending on what they get for him, and in what direction the team is going.

 

[cw]

Likely he knew about the media frenzy that follows the team before he came here and had some idea what he was walking in to.

Not sure about this. Just as one example, I remember Nieuwendyk, who was obviously a multiple Cup-winning veteran, expressing surprise at how much and closely this team is followed by the media. I remember specifically he couldn't believe how many media outlets would be present at their practices.

I think that was the season the Leafs players banned newspapers from their dressing room - because of the garbage in their articles and so it wouldn't bother the players.

Apparently, (if no one has already mentioned it), doesn't read the media on the team - probably for the same reason.

 

[draeko17]

Likely he knew about the media frenzy that follows the team before he came here and had some idea what he was walking in to.

Not sure about this. Just as one example, I remember Nieuwendyk, who was obviously a multiple Cup-winning veteran, expressing surprise at how much and closely this team is followed by the media. I remember specifically he couldn't believe how many media outlets would be present at their practices.

And I think that's a fair response.  I thought about that while I was drafting my comment.  That's why I wrote "some idea what he was walking in to".  We've heard other players from other teams in the past comment about the media storm that comes with the Leafs and how they wouldn't want to play here.

I get what you're saying. I just think understanding the media coverage here is one of those things you simply cannot explain and a player only truly "gets" it after he's here and playing for them.

I remember reading an article about Phil in the Star and the interviewee was his brother. The article didn't come out and say so but one could tell that they had obviously originally asked Phil himself and he had turned them down. That in itself is no big deal but I remember a good portion of the article was his brother talking about how Phil has come out of his shell and really does love the attention and playing in Toronto. my reaction was umm, yeah, I am not buying what you're selling.

If I had to place a bet on it, my guess is he leaves. And that may not necessarily be a bad thing depending on what they get for him, and in what direction the team is going.

I hear ya.  But I've been impressed with how such a shy guy has handled the media spot light, especially given some of the things that happened (the allstar game in Raleigh (?) for example).  It seems to me Phil has evolved a bit, grown up and become a bit more comfortable under the microscope that comes with playing for the Leafs.  But it's just my opinion.  We'll have to see how it plays out.  I hope he stays.

 

[cw]

http://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnpodcasts/Leaf%20Report%20Podcast%20Feb%201st.mp3

In the 24minute mark they begin to talk about Kessel and they make a good point. If you swap out Kessel with Stamkos and the start was the same the frustration shown would be more "Look at that Canadian kid with heart" whereas Kessel gets "Look at that American with no heart."

I think he gets a bad rap mostly for the trade history and personality.

I don't get the feeling that people are questioning his heart.  Most of the talking heads that I have seen that have been discussing the Kessel situation have been saying that he is doing all the right things and going to the tough areas of the ice.  His teammates have been saying that he has been working hard.  He's just snake bit.  Because it is January.

Did you listen to the CBC broadcast last night? They essentially said he's not going to the right places. He's shooting from the outside. He's not going to the dirty places.(I've personally found the opposite, but we all know how Healy loves to rip on any move the Leafs make).

Before he even came to Toronto, I spent some time looking at videos of Kessel's goals. He scores a lot while he's on the move. He's not a Dino Ciccarelli goal suck or doesn't hang around the crease to bang them in like Roberts or Andreychuk did. I think one has to take that into account when analyzing his shooting - which Healy didn't do.

Another point I've tried to make before and hasn't been made often if at all in the media is that the Leafs are trying to play better defensively and that curtails offense. As well, they're isn't as much run & gun or there's a lack of skating transition in a number of their games and that would also detrimentally affect Kessel's ability to score/the quality of scoring chances he's getting when considering the style of scoring he's had success with.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I agree that he is generally working hard on offense. But I was watching him fairly closely on defense last night and he still floats quite a bit.

The bottom line is that he does one thing really well and that one thing only. And he's not doing it right now. Until that changes he's dragging the team down.

He's not dragging the team down.  He's been driving the offense and getting chances, and that is giving chances to other players on the team, JVR's goal against Washington being one example of that.

 

[ZBBM]

I agree that he is generally working hard on offense. But I was watching him fairly closely on defense last night and he still floats quite a bit.

The bottom line is that he does one thing really well and that one thing only. And he's not doing it right now. Until that changes he's dragging the team down.

He's not dragging the team down.  He's been driving the offense and getting chances, and that is giving chances to other players on the team, JVR's goal against Washington being one example of that.

Sure he is. I get what you and OTH are saying but let's say he WAS scoring. Wouldn't that create even more space and chances for others on his line?  Of course it would. Therefore the fact that he is not scoring is dragging the team down. That's the way it is when you see a pure scorer and very little more.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I still don't see why it is termed as 'dragging the team down,' as that implies that he's doing something to affect the team negatively, when really he is just playing his usual game, minus any shooting luck so far.  But he's always had streaks of 6-7-8 scoreless droughts, and he appears to be more involved at both ends of the ice, so I don't see where he's dragging anyone down.

 

[Kin]

Here are some of the NHL players who have scored a goal this year:

Cody Mcleod
George Parros
Ryan Garbutt
Jake Muzzin
Keith Aulie
Brandon Prust

 

[PG]

At some point, saying he's "snakebitten" is just a diplomatic way of saying he's not doing his job.

I know he's getting chances but he is getting paid to bury them.

I am fully aware of the streaky nature of certain goal scorers. And I have no doubt he'll have a stretch where he scores 7 goals in 10 games or something like that. But that doesn't mean he is above criticism.

 

[TML fan]

At some point, saying he's "snakebitten" is just a diplomatic way of saying he's not doing his job.

I know he's getting chances but he is getting paid to bury them.

Goalies are being paid too.

 

[Kin]

At some point, saying he's "snakebitten" is just a diplomatic way of saying he's not doing his job.

I know he's getting chances but he is getting paid to bury them.

To be fair to him, I don't think it's right to say he's being paid to do any specific thing but rather that he's supposed to be contributing at a level he really hasn't been.

 

[BrownRolo]

Here are some of the NHL players who have scored a goal this year:

Cody Mcleod
George Parros
Ryan Garbutt
Jake Muzzin
Keith Aulie
Brandon Prust

Exactly. A few players who have yet to score:

Iginla
Nugent-Hopkins
Mike Richards
H. Sedin

Tons of players with only one goal like Seguin aka "The Man Who Can Do No Wrong" and Staal, who got his first tonight.

Which list of guys would you rather have on your team? If Kessel doesn' t hit the post on one of his chances, no one is complaining. Seems a little silly. If after the next ten games Kessel is still scoreless than it might be a problem. I see him out there playing hard, plus I notice every game he makes a couple of great passes.  He is the least of the problems on this team of bums. 

 

[Zee]

Here are some of the NHL players who have scored a goal this year:

Cody Mcleod
George Parros
Ryan Garbutt
Jake Muzzin
Keith Aulie
Brandon Prust

Exactly. A few players who have yet to score:

Iginla
Nugent-Hopkins
Mike Richards
H. Sedin

Tons of players with only one goal like Seguin aka "The Man Who Can Do No Wrong" and Staal, who got his first tonight.

Which list of guys would you rather have on your team? If Kessel doesn' t hit the post on one of his chances, no one is complaining. Seems a little silly. If after the next ten games Kessel is still scoreless than it might be a problem. I see him out there playing hard, plus I notice every game he makes a couple of great passes.  He is the least of the problems on this team of bums.

Problem is dating back to end of last season Kessel has 2 goals in 24 games