That's what was written here last training camp - judge them by the team wins - so now what? BTW you are part of the rabid culture - you are writing on a Leafs chat board.
No-one wants to run our leading scorer outa town - but I guess suggesting an all round game to go with his impressive scoring is unfair.
Kessel was not the problem last year, and he isn't the problem this year. Does he have personality issues that might clash with the media and fans, probably, but the reality is that he gets a ppg season practically every year.
Pretty much every year it's the same thing with the media pertaining Kessel, yet every year he is the only consistent thing about this team. He's the only thing that comes even close to an elite category. So why are we here chastising the only thing that is good about this team? I am not saying he is is not tradeable, or a guy you build around, but he is the solitary thing that has performed on this team year in and out. Kessel is not a problem for this team; their problem is their ATROCIOUS centre depth, their terrible defensive system, and equally atrocious defensive depth.
And by rabid fanbase and media I'm not talking about just being a fan, but about being meticulous about one thing and magnify it to where it doesn't need to be. Anywhere else, this would have just blown through. This team's problems has nothing to do with Kessel, this team is bad for the reason I've stated and the management staff not addressing those needs enough.
And as for all around game, some players will never have that two-way game, Kessel isn't the first player nor the only player in the NHL to not have an all around game. When you have talented players who perform at PPG levels, you let things like that slide. He isn't liability anymore to the same level he was when he got here. He has improved his two way game; he does backcheck, he's implemented stop-and-go in his game, but regardless Phil will never improve his two-way to the point where some people will be satisfied. He is just not that kind of player. You deal with it and let him play, his offence is a big help to the team.