Phil Kessel: A Candidate for the Richard Trophy?

[AndrewGForbesTHW]

Honest question - Kessel put up 37 goals twice playing with centre Tyler Bozak in Toronto. Chances are (and I'd be absolutely shocked if it didn't work out this way) he'll be playing with Malkin or Crosby. What are the chances that he competes for the Richard Trophy next season in 2015-16?

I think he could easily put up 40+ goals, but would that be enough or will he score even more?

READ: http://thehockeywriters.com/phil-kessel-a-rocket-richard-candidate-in-2015-16/

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[DanZ]

The Caps will be even better this year so I don't see Ovechkin scoring less than 50.

 

[AndrewGForbesTHW]

The Caps will be even better this year so I don't see Ovechkin scoring less than 50.

Very good point. East will be fun to watch this year for sure.

 

[AvroArrow]

He'll be right up there with Ovi, Stamkos and Perry. I've said it several times before i expect a 50+ goal season. He pretty much single handedly hit 30+ goals numerous times in Tor. Crosby/Malkin have to be able to set him up for at least 20 goals in an 82 game season

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Here's how I think the scoring race will look like :

1. Ovechkin (54)
2. Stamkos (49)
3. Kessel (46)
4. Seguin (43)
5. Perry (42)
6. Tarasenko (40)
7. Pavelski (38)
8 & 9. Pacioretty & Tavares (36)
10. Benn (34)

 

[AndrewGForbesTHW]

He'll be right up there with Ovi, Stamkos and Perry. I've said it several times before i expect a 50+ goal season. He pretty much single handedly hit 30+ goals numerous times in Tor. Crosby/Malkin have to be able to set him up for at least 20 goals in an 82 game season

And if he can stay in the lineup the way he did in Toronto - there's no reason he can't hit the 50 goal plateau.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

If he stays healthy it's Ovi's, but Kessel should be in the pack gunning for 2nd in the league.

 

[AndrewGForbesTHW]

If he stays healthy it's Ovi's, but Kessel should be in the pack gunning for 2nd in the league.

Yeah, Kessel will be up there for sure. If not this year, next year could be much of the same.

 

[supsens]

His numbers will increase about the same as Heaters did when he went to SJ..
On a more serious note, isn't he a score on the move with a wrist shot type? Not a bang home the one timer? I am asking not saying.....

I think he will finally crack 40, not sure about the Richard tho,

just noticed he is only 27, I thought he was older, all bets are off

 

[AvroArrow]

His numbers will increase about the same as Heaters did when he went to SJ..
On a more serious note, isn't he a score on the move with a wrist shot type? Not a bang home the one timer? I am asking not saying.....

I think he will finally crack 40, not sure about the Richard tho,

just noticed he is only 27, I thought he was older, all bets are off

His wrist shot is probably his most dangerous shot, considering how quick he lets it go but his slappers are solid too. He just doesn't use it as much.

 

[AndrewGForbesTHW]

His numbers will increase about the same as Heaters did when he went to SJ..
On a more serious note, isn't he a score on the move with a wrist shot type? Not a bang home the one timer? I am asking not saying.....

I think he will finally crack 40, not sure about the Richard tho,

just noticed he is only 27, I thought he was older, all bets are off

Good question - he does have the tendency to score of the wing with a wrister but he's a pure goal scorer, I think there's other ways you'll see him produce in Pittsburgh.

 

[The Undertaker]

A candidate for the Nathan's hotdog eating contest trophy is more likely.

 

[MeowLeafs]

His numbers will increase about the same as Heaters did when he went to SJ..
On a more serious note, isn't he a score on the move with a wrist shot type? Not a bang home the one timer? I am asking not saying.....

I think he will finally crack 40, not sure about the Richard tho,

just noticed he is only 27, I thought he was older, all bets are off

Heatley went from a prime Spezza to Thornton. Kessel is going from Bozak to Crosby/Malkin, so basically the worst center to play on a top line to the best or 2nd best center in the world.

But I do think anyone expecting a 20 goal increase will be disappointed. I expect Ovie to win with ~50 goals and then several players (including Kessel) competing for 2nd with goals in the 40s. If I had to give an exact number, I’ll say he’ll score 42 goals.

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

I think Kessel will nip at Ovie's heels. He almost put up 40 with Tyler friggin' Bozak.

 

[The Podium]

From fat, lazy and somebody no one wanted since he's not a player you'd win with to a Richard candidate in less than a week... What has changed?

 

[Vaclav Varada]

From fat, lazy and somebody no one wanted since he's not a player you'd win with to a Richard candidate in less than a week... What has changed?

He's always had Richard trophy abilities.

 

[supsens]

From fat, lazy and somebody no one wanted since he's not a player you'd win with to a Richard candidate in less than a week... What has changed?

I don't know, but I can see Crosby and Malkin taking a lot of the shots that Kessel would normally take so I am not sure where a massive goal increase would come from

 

[Pyrophorus]

From fat, lazy and somebody no one wanted since he's not a player you'd win with to a Richard candidate in less than a week... What has changed?

C'mon dude there is no Leaf hate.

 

[The Thin White Duke]

He's always had Richard trophy abilities.

Yeah saying that would get you laughed at a month ago.

Anyway, don't expect Crosby/Malkin to boost his goal totals significantly. Maybe they push him into 40 goal territory but I can't see him hitting 50. His assists will go up dramatically though. The biggest problem in Toronto was that him and his linemates couldn't maintain offensive possession for long, it was usually a rush and a quick shot. Kessel getting more touches in on consistent offensive zone time should make him a 40/55 guy if all goes well.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Ovi still probably wins it. Having a forward like Oshie with Backstrom is also going to push him into Art Ross territory again.

But Crosby DEFINITELY wins the Ross with Kessel next to him.

 

[Bandit]

From fat, lazy and somebody no one wanted since he's not a player you'd win with to a Richard candidate in less than a week... What has changed?

Those things are not mutually exclusive.

 

[cheeeko]

Honestly, Kessel is an amazing player and for the most part it's been a pleasure watching him play for the Leafs.

I don't think he'll break 40 this year.

He had to do it all for Toronto; score, create chances. In Pittsburgh, they have Crosby, Malkin, Hornqvist, Perron, Kunitz.

The offence there is far more spread out than it was here in Toronto. I think he'll be a fantastic addition, but I don't see him breaking 40 goals.

That's not a knock on him, it's just how I see the scoring happening.

 

[Addison Rae]

Yeah I think he'll challenge Ovie this year.

 

[AndrewGForbesTHW]

From fat, lazy and somebody no one wanted since he's not a player you'd win with to a Richard candidate in less than a week... What has changed?

It was select fans and media that didn't want him. Every player he played with loved Phil as a character in the dressing room. As for what's changed.... seriously?? Like seriously? How about Bozak to Crosby/Malkin?

 

[The Bad Guy]

From fat, lazy and somebody no one wanted since he's not a player you'd win with to a Richard candidate in less than a week... What has changed?

The Penguins bandwagon has not improved its Hockey IQ since drafting Sidney Crosby?

I mean I thought other Hawks fans were dumb, but this level of "Kessel is the second greatest scorer in the league" crap we have been hearing makes me feel better about my own fan base.


Kessel will jump from 25 goals in 2015 to low 30s in 2016, that's it.