Is Boeser the next Kessel?

[Advanced stats]

He's a 30 goal scorer

29

 

[Regal]

Kessel does have great speed. I think people don't realize it partially because he just doesn't look like a good athlete at all.

They're really not that similar of a player or even shooter, though. Kessel's office is the slot/the inner half of the two circles. He uses one of the whippiest/weakest flex sticks in the league, which makes his release extremely deceptive and quick, but slap shots and one-timers are really not part of his arsenal.

Boeser uses a 90 flex stick. His release is very quick and he scores on plenty of snap shots/wristers in the slot as well, but it's not as quick or deceptive as Kessel's. However, unlike Kessel he's deadly on one timers from the top of the circle and can score from pretty much anywhere on the ice.

Boeser has 45 goals in his 1st 96 games. The only guys in the league currently that scored at a faster pace than that over that many games starting their careers: Ovi, Laine, Matthews, Crosby, Kovalchuk. He's 21 and hasn't even hit his prime yet, and that's already significantly ahead of Kessel's career goal/game pace.

I'd say Boeser is the better goal scorer. Kessel is the better all around player.

Can't really add much to these. Good analysis

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

Kessel does have great speed. I think people don't realize it partially because he just doesn't look like a good athlete at all.

They're really not that similar of a player or even shooter, though. Kessel's office is the slot/the inner half of the two circles. He uses one of the whippiest/weakest flex sticks in the league, which makes his release extremely deceptive and quick, but slap shots and one-timers are really not part of his arsenal.

Boeser uses a 90 flex stick. His release is very quick and he scores on plenty of snap shots/wristers in the slot as well, but it's not as quick or deceptive as Kessel's. However, unlike Kessel he's deadly on one timers from the top of the circle and can score from pretty much anywhere on the ice.

Boeser has 45 goals in his 1st 96 games. The only guys in the league currently that scored at a faster pace than that over that many games starting their careers: Ovi, Laine, Matthews, Crosby, Kovalchuk. He's 21 and hasn't even hit his prime yet, and that's already significantly ahead of Kessel's career goal/game pace.

I'd say Boeser is the better goal scorer. Kessel is the better all around player.

Please @milesandmiles post more. You are very perceptive. Your analysis and the way you write is a breath of fresh air.

 

[PavelBure10]

If Boeser turns out to be anything like Kessel point production wise, I'd be ecstatic. Kessel is underrated.

 

[Jauffre]

Needs more male pattern baldness first, Boeser's Hair/60 is too high right now

 

[puckpilot]

They're really nothing a like. Kessel is the speedy winger that can generat chances with his skating. Boeser is no where near as fast and generally depends on someone delivering him the puck at the right time to generate a lot of his chances.

Not saying one is better than the other in this respect. They're just different styles of play.

As for their shooting. Kessel uses quickness of release more to beat goalies. Boeser, though having a great release, can over power a goalie with his shot.

Kessel is the better playmaker. Boeser, from the small sample size, looks to be the better finisher.

 

[Mathew Barzal]

Boeser is kind of a slug.

 

[Turin]

Brock’s hair slows him down. Kessel is also more of a hypersoft playmaker than pure sniper. He just has that crazy snap shot.

 

[Chimpradamus]

Kessel is way more deceptive. When he enters an arena before the game, you could mistake him for being the team bus driver, when he in fact is one of the star players - and very fast at that. He can't carry a line, but he's a world class complementary player.

 

[Eddy Punch Clock]

Both were awarded new cars at an All-Star game.

Debate settled.

...(even though Kessels was out of pity. )

 

[Digitalbooya]

Also Boeser is American

One was born in Wisconsin and the other in Minnesota.

 

[K Fleur]

Has Kessel scored a billion goals against Matt Murray? Probably in practice so that’s one thing Boeser and Kessel have in common.

 

[ScottishCanuck]

I'd be pretty delighted if Boeser has the career Kessel has had.

Don't think they're stylistically the most comparable players though.

 

[Helistin]

Think Boeser is still a few hot dogs away from Kessel. Getting close though.

 

[Love]

Kessel is a much better skater but Boeser has a better shot (yes I know kessel has a great shot). The comparison isn’t terrible but there are better ones for Boeser out there.

 

[LemonSauceD]

I mean I do believe Boeser is currently the better goal scorer. 45 goals in 96gp, only a selective few have done that at 21 post-lockout.

When talking about Boeser's skating, you've got to nitpick the exact problems of his skating. He's got great agility, he's a decent skater, he lacks however quickness (in his first steps), explosiveness and acceleration. Horvat had these problems breaking into the league and during his first off-season hired a powerskating coach, and then the next season he was literally flying all over the ice.

Kessel in his early years was very explosive, I remember. His skating always stood out to me, particularly because he doesn't really look like a fit athlete at all, but that just proves that it's all about technique.

Boeser the better goal scorer right now, Kessel the better overall player but Boeser is heading into Kessel's career trajectory which is nice.

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

Is Kessel that fast? I always thought of him as a heady and quick guy but not straight-line fast. But i don’t see him regularly.

He’s pretty fast

 

[Kamiccolo]

Is Kessel that fast? I always thought of him as a heady and quick guy but not straight-line fast. But i don’t see him regularly.

He can move when he wants to, but floats a lot when he isn't.

 

[Smiggie Balls]

This is an amateur thread.

Kessel is better player hands down for now - he has the history, stanley cups, and numbers to prove it.
Can boeser be better? Theoretically yes but unlikely

Kessel is the equal if not the better goal scorer who is also a great playmaker and has elite speed - attributes that boeser lacks.

total amateur reply

 

[stampedingviking]

Boeser is kind of a slug.

 

[skuzzycuzz]

Not that similar. Boeser’s playmaking is really underrated though. He’s much more than a sniper. As is Kessel.

I couldn’t disagree more about Boeser being a playmaker. He doesn’t have the IQ/vision to be a good playmaker. He can shoot, he can score and that is about it. More often than not plays die on his stick. I’m a lifetime long canucks die hard fan, so no bias here.

 

[skuzzycuzz]

This is an amateur thread.

Kessel is better player hands down for now - he has the history, stanley cups, and numbers to prove it.
Can boeser be better? Theoretically yes but unlikely

Kessel is the equal if not the better goal scorer who is also a great playmaker and has elite speed - attributes that boeser lacks.

I’d have to agree.. I mean potentially Boeser could somehow end up being better than Kessel. Kessels release is better, better skater, better passer. Boeser has the better one timer though.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I couldn’t disagree more about Boeser being a playmaker. He doesn’t have the IQ/vision to be a good playmaker. He can shoot, he can score and that is about it. More often than not plays die on his stick. I’m a lifetime long canucks die hard fan, so no bias here.

You’re certainly entitled to your opinion.
The stats say otherwise though. His assist total equals pretty much equals his goal total this year.
Last year without Pettersson he had 29 goals and 26 assists. Actually his last year in college he became very good playmaker. I think that’s an under appreciated part of his game. He has elite IQ and vision.