SI: Kessel named easiest all-star to intimidate

[TML fan]

145 players eh? That should just about cover all the 4th liners, fringe NHLers, and bottom pairing defencemen in the NHL.

The man battled cancer at 20 years of age. I don't imagine too many things intimidate him.

Good for him for successfully having a testicle removed, but I really don't see the relevancy when compared to having a 220 lb defenseman coming in for a hit against the boards. I'm sure it's still intimidating.

No, I'm sure it's really not. In fact, it's probably caused him to put the game of hockey in perspective and realize that his health and quality of life is more important than "taking the hit to make the play" and thus gives the impression that he is intimidated when he is actually just trying to avoid getting hit by a 220lb defenseman because that might be something he pays for later in life.

Relevant enough for you?

 

[ontariojames]

145 players eh? That should just about cover all the 4th liners, fringe NHLers, and bottom pairing defencemen in the NHL.

The man battled cancer at 20 years of age. I don't imagine too many things intimidate him.

Good for him for successfully having a testicle removed, but I really don't see the relevancy when compared to having a 220 lb defenseman coming in for a hit against the boards. I'm sure it's still intimidating.

No, I'm sure it's really not. In fact, it's probably caused him to put the game of hockey in perspective and realize that his health and quality of life is more important than "taking the hit to make the play" and thus gives the impression that he is intimidated when he is actually just trying to avoid getting hit by a 220lb defenseman because that might be something he pays for later in life.

Relevant enough for you?

That's some pretty ridiculous logic, to assume that because he battled cancer that now he's so much more brave than he was before and that his outlook on life has changed so much that it's changed the way he plays hockey. 

If two sens players or two habs players had been named the most overrated and easiest to intimidate and sens or habs fans reacted to it the way you guys have, like saying SI is out to get the Leafs, you would be calling them whiners who weren't able to accept the truth just because it's their own team. 

If a large group of players vote Phaneuf as the by far the most overrated player in the league, there is probably something to it. If a large group of players vote Kessel as the easiest to intimidate, there is probably something to it. Quit crying about it.

 

[Kin]

No, I'm sure it's really not. In fact, it's probably caused him to put the game of hockey in perspective and realize that his health and quality of life is more important than "taking the hit to make the play" and thus gives the impression that he is intimidated when he is actually just trying to avoid getting hit by a 220lb defenseman because that might be something he pays for later in life.

Relevant enough for you?

So...Kessel isn't intimidated, he just has the perspective to know that taking a hit to make a play isn't worth it?

Is that better or worse?

 

[Kin]

If two sens players or two habs players had been named the most overrated and easiest to intimidate and sens or habs fans reacted to it the way you guys have, like saying SI is out to get the Leafs, you would be calling them whiners who weren't able to accept the truth just because it's their own team. 

If a large group of players vote Phaneuf as the by far the most overrated player in the league, there is probably something to it. If a large group of players vote Kessel as the easiest to intimidate, there is probably something to it. Quit crying about it.

Well said.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

If a large group of players vote Kessel as the easiest to intimidate, there is probably something to it. Quit crying about it.

Hopefully they'll do a poll soon where a large number do vote that way.

 

[TML fan]

No, I'm sure it's really not. In fact, it's probably caused him to put the game of hockey in perspective and realize that his health and quality of life is more important than "taking the hit to make the play" and thus gives the impression that he is intimidated when he is actually just trying to avoid getting hit by a 220lb defenseman because that might be something he pays for later in life.

Relevant enough for you?

So...Kessel isn't intimidated, he just has the perspective to know that taking a hit to make a play isn't worth it?

Is that better or worse?

It's probably better for him. His body will hold up a lot longer.

 

[TML fan]

145 players eh? That should just about cover all the 4th liners, fringe NHLers, and bottom pairing defencemen in the NHL.

The man battled cancer at 20 years of age. I don't imagine too many things intimidate him.

Good for him for successfully having a testicle removed, but I really don't see the relevancy when compared to having a 220 lb defenseman coming in for a hit against the boards. I'm sure it's still intimidating.

No, I'm sure it's really not. In fact, it's probably caused him to put the game of hockey in perspective and realize that his health and quality of life is more important than "taking the hit to make the play" and thus gives the impression that he is intimidated when he is actually just trying to avoid getting hit by a 220lb defenseman because that might be something he pays for later in life.

Relevant enough for you?

That's some pretty ridiculous logic, to assume that because he battled cancer that now he's so much more brave than he was before and that his outlook on life has changed so much that it's changed the way he plays hockey. 

I don't know Phil Kessel, so maybe my assumption that Kessel might think that way is ridiculous, but the logic of it is sound. Ask anyone who has been in combat or has faced a life altering disease like that. REAL adversity. Pretty much all of them will tell you it has changed their outlook on many things.

 

[Kin]

It's probably better for him. His body will hold up a lot longer.

Call me crazy but I'd prefer the player who hangs in there and takes the hit. It's not like Kessel's a tiny guy. He's 6', 200lbs according to the team.

 

[Kin]

Back-to-back Art Ross winners and Hart trophy finalists right behind Kessel. Not exactly bad company to be in.

Although there's no denying that after last year's finals there were a lot of people saying that one of the reasons Vancouver lost was because their forwards were pushed around the way they were by the Bruins. Regular season scoring is all well and good but the issue with a player getting intimidated by physical play is more likely to become an issue once the playoffs roll around.

 

[Bullfrog]

145 players eh? That should just about cover all the 4th liners, fringe NHLers, and bottom pairing defencemen in the NHL.

The man battled cancer at 20 years of age. I don't imagine too many things intimidate him.

Good for him for successfully having a testicle removed, but I really don't see the relevancy when compared to having a 220 lb defenseman coming in for a hit against the boards. I'm sure it's still intimidating.

No, I'm sure it's really not. In fact, it's probably caused him to put the game of hockey in perspective and realize that his health and quality of life is more important than "taking the hit to make the play" and thus gives the impression that he is intimidated when he is actually just trying to avoid getting hit by a 220lb defenseman because that might be something he pays for later in life.

Relevant enough for you?

No, not really. Nor does it explain why he's always been known as a soft player (including prior to any cancer diagnosis) and was known to be intimidated at his combine interviews. anyway, this is just a comment on your strange logic.

I'm fine that he's a soft player, because he's got a very specific role, which he does well. However, I'd like to see him take a hit rather than bail on a play once in awhile.

 

[TML fan]

It's probably better for him. His body will hold up a lot longer.

Call me crazy but I'd prefer the player who hangs in there and takes the hit. It's not like Kessel's a tiny guy. He's 6', 200lbs according to the team.

That's not crazy. That's a preference. Nobody is making you like Kessel. I guarantee you that there are professional athletes out there who will tell you that the punishment they put their bodies through at a young age was not worth the price they are paying later in life. I think someone who has faced a serious health problem like Kessel did might have that kind of outlook on the game. Again, I can't speak for Kessel but I think there is some logic and relevance behind that thought.

There have been enough montages of Kessel taking a beating this season to show that he does hang in there, and his numbers back that up.

 

[Stronger Than All]

SI: "random ridiculous poll we came up with to put down the Maple Leafs for no particular reason"

 

[Corn Flake]

Kessel can take a hit just fine, but he can be intimidated.

The Rangers did this with Bryan Boyle a few weeks ago and it did pretty much negate Kessel completely.  But in fairness, throw Boyle out there against most team's skill guy and the same thing will happen. 

Kessel needs a linemate to push back on that kind of crap. You can't expect your skilled guys to be dealing with a 6'7 250lb behemoth screaming at them all game and crushing them in the neutral zone.

But is he the easiest to intimidate?  Who cares.

 

[Kin]

That's not crazy. That's a preference.

Well, it's a preference in the same sense that wanting the team to be good, rather than bad, is a preference.

 

[Kin]

SI: "random ridiculous poll we came up with to put down the Maple Leafs for no particular reason"

I love the idea that this is all part of some diabolical plan on the part of SI. They just asked the question.

 

[TML fan]

145 players eh? That should just about cover all the 4th liners, fringe NHLers, and bottom pairing defencemen in the NHL.

The man battled cancer at 20 years of age. I don't imagine too many things intimidate him.

Good for him for successfully having a testicle removed, but I really don't see the relevancy when compared to having a 220 lb defenseman coming in for a hit against the boards. I'm sure it's still intimidating.

No, I'm sure it's really not. In fact, it's probably caused him to put the game of hockey in perspective and realize that his health and quality of life is more important than "taking the hit to make the play" and thus gives the impression that he is intimidated when he is actually just trying to avoid getting hit by a 220lb defenseman because that might be something he pays for later in life.

Relevant enough for you?

No, not really. Nor does it explain why he's always been known as a soft player (including prior to any cancer diagnosis) and was known to be intimidated at his combine interviews. anyway, this is just a comment on your strange logic.

There is a difference between not wanting to get hit and being afraid to get it. That's where my "strange logic" comes from.

 

[TML fan]

That's not crazy. That's a preference.

Well, it's a preference in the same sense that wanting the team to be good, rather than bad, is a preference.

I don't get it. Are you saying Kessel is a bad player?

 

[Kin]

I don't get it. Are you saying Kessel is a bad player?

No, I'm saying it's a bad thing if one of the team's better offensive weapons can have his effectiveness reduced when the other team starts hitting him, regardless of whether or not the root reason is "intimidation" or a realization of the relative meaningless of hockey games brought on by the hard won wisdom one achieves after dealing with a serious illness.

 

[maplesyrup]

Kessel is awesome. I think he's one of the more dangerous players in the league. I love the fact that coupled with his all-world speed, hands, and shot he's learned to play a little "D" too but c'mon people... You've watched him play. He gets pushed around all the time and I've only seen him stand up for himself once or twice...and even then he didn't drop 'em. SURPRISE FOLKS... HE'S SOFT! So what? Move on.   

 

[Kin]

SURPRISE FOLKS... HE'S SOFT! So what? Move on. 

So what? It affects the team. They're on a 4 game losing streak, barely hanging onto a playoff spot and that's an issue going forward.