Does Kessel get extra credit as a "missing puzzle piece" ?

[Creativero]

Pittsburgh had a little 5 year dry spell in terms of playoff success before Phil came over last year. He's go 40 points in 41 games and the Pens have obviously been pretty successful. He's right there with Crosby and Malkin in terms of production and I thought last year and was probably better than Malkin last year. Does he get some extra historical credit as the big addition that brought the Pens back to being a dominant playoff force beyond just a 40 point in 41 games playoff run?

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[Creativero]

He also lead the team in scoring with Bones as his center last year which can't be easy no matter how much shelter Crosby and Malkin gave him.

 

[Roboturner913]

Absolutely, no question.

 

[olli]

He does, but so does Sullivan.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

They don't win the cup last year or be where they are this year without Kessel and Sullivan.

 

[TMLife*]

Kessel <3

 

[Zestfule]

Extra credit? Isn't this what a lot of people said when he was in Toronto? That he was a great player and a great 'extra' piece but not one to drive a team to a cup?

 

[hamzarocks]

give kessel elite teammates and kessel=kane. His regular season production is returning to the ppg level and i can see him going back to 35g and 45a moving forward, along with ppg+ production in the playoffs. The guy is amazing and one of the best players the leafs had talent wise. Love to see him finding success with the pens. The guy is a not locker roo cancer, he's not a me first player. He is a guy that can on any given night win you a game with his amazing skills when suited to be the 3rd best player on the team.

 

[Pharrell Williams]

i love phil kessel with all my heart.

 

[Pharrell Williams]

Extra credit? Isn't this what a lot of people said when he was in Toronto? That he was a great player and a great 'extra' piece but not one to drive a team to a cup?

well did he drive the team to a cup

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

Kessel: 40 points in 41 games
Malkin: 41 points in 40 games
Crosby: 38 points in 40 games

In the 2 runs they've had with Kessel, he has been equally important as Malkin and Crosby. He also gets plenty of credit as an elite playoff performer.

 

[Seanaconda]

He also lead the team in scoring with Bones as his center last year which can't be easy no matter how much shelter Crosby and Malkin gave him.

Wasn't that basically malkins line but he was coming back/ still injured but bones was hot so they kept kessel anddd hags? I can't remember the lw on that line and gave malkin whatever the third line wingers were.

Obv worked crosby prefers grinders and Malkin can play with anyone even tho he was banged up like always

 

[BrindamoursNose]

Hate saying it, but yes.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

He was part of the puzzle.

1. Pens forged a new identity under Sullivan where they were never out of games it seemed, they had an identity that fit the talent they had. From that December on, the Penguins worked their ass off trying to remove the terrible playoffs thanks to Bylsma/Johnston.

2.A rookie goalie emerged when we needed one to, if Murray isn't ready and we roll in with Zatkoff and Jarry/Murray backing up, we're boned.

3. Kessel was added, as were a few other guys. Cullen played a huge role as a UFA signing, Lovejoy played his part, Fehr scored timely goals...then the trade to move Perron who wasn't working anymore for Hagelin, who fit the new identity that Sullivan was creating.

4. HBK was born, got hot right when we needed them to.

5. Youth movement, under Sullivan, they blended veteran with youth and it was the right mix.


It's not just Kessel. Kessel was a big part of it.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

Phil the Thrill should get all the credit all the time.

 

[zeke]

Leafs handed the pens a dynasty.

still stings a bit.

 

[Frank Garrett]

Phil is a beast.

 

[Dying Alive]

He's even rescuing teammates stranded on the side of the road at this point. Phil is a legend.

 

[Fugazy]

Yes he does, but also have to give credit to Sullivan for the job he's done in Pittsburgh.

 

[Menzinger]

Leafs handed the pens a dynasty.

still stings a bit.

Yep.

Kessel's warrior playoff mentality has clearly been a main driver of team's postseason success.He's been a joy to watch though.

Overall this is one of the best trades that a contending team has made to push them over tr top in recent memory.

 

[tacogeoff]

Kessel: 40 points in 41 games
Malkin: 41 points in 40 games
Crosby: 38 points in 40 games

In the 2 runs they've had with Kessel, he has been equally important as Malkin and Crosby. He also gets plenty of credit as an elite playoff performer.

yup. those three are unbelievable talents and playoff performers. If the penguins can keep on getting solid goaltending they are hoisting the cup again.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Great talented player. Phil may not be the kind of guy that can shoulder a team like Crosby but put him on a team with Crosby (and Malkin) sharing the other teams attention, then you see how great Kessel really can be.

I think everyone always knew Kessel was an extremely talented player. His speed and shot are nothing new. The questions were more about his weight and attitude.

 

[AvroArrow]

Filthy Phil has made the same level (if not more) of an impact as Jordan Staal with the Pens. He was their #3 guy and flourished in that role, Phil has fit in perfectly there glad to see him doing well with his new team

 

[SEALBound]

Kessel on the ice.

Sullivan on/ff the ice.

Rutherford off the ice.

The rejuvenance of the Penguins org is really something to behold.

 

[zeke]

Kessel: 40 points in 41 games
Malkin: 41 points in 40 games
Crosby: 38 points in 40 games

In the 2 runs they've had with Kessel, he has been equally important as Malkin and Crosby. He also gets plenty of credit as an elite playoff performer.

still lmao at the idiot commentators calling it the "Bonino Line" last year. what a joke.