Phillip Joseph Kessel: 200 foot player?

[SteveV*]

Yes, he gets back into the play and doesn't just float at the blueline anymore, but he's not exactly enthusiastic or partically effective at it. He's done enough that people should get off his back about being one-dimensional, but I wouldn't call his defensive play an attribute either.

That's all I'm saying, he isn't Bolland, but he isn't a liability necessarily anymore. At least when he's out there it isn't scary and he actually does win some board battles, pressures the D up ice, gets back in the play better. Plus he can fight

 

[GordieHoweHatTrick]

Kessel is the man. I'd love to see some threads from 2-3 years ago where people argued he wouldn't be anything more than Jason Blake. Silly folks

 

[StanleyTOR]

I honestly have to say:

for Kessel's maturation as a player, credit Carlyle.

This is a homer hypothesis, but I think Carlyle may also have played into Kessel wanting to stay in Toronto.

 

[Frelimo]

I honestly have to say:

for Kessel's maturation as a player, credit Carlyle.

This is a homer hypothesis, but I think Carlyle may also have played into Kessel wanting to stay in Toronto.

You may have a point there. I remember when RC came over people were worried he'd take away Kessel's ability to be creative. He hasn't done that at all, he's just made Kessel at least back check and be less of a liability. It seems pretty clear RC lets his offensive players be creative in the offensive zone as long as the come back and be responsible in the defensive zone.

 

[Pi]

He's about average defensively. He can still do a better job trying to play in our zone IMO...he shies away from any sort of board contact in our zone and it usually results in a cycling game against us.

Love Kessel, but that's the facts. He's come a long way though. I can't really complain with a PPG player, gamebreaking forward not being great defensively. We needed him to be adequate, and he does that.

 

[EscapeGoat]

His defence has improved but his play along the boards is still bad. Almost always loses the puck if he's met by a defender along the boards.

 

[Phaneuffan3]

Ya this guy might have touched the puck as it was rolling.

Its incredible to look at that roster and compare it to our current roster.. wow

 

[diceman934]

Kessel started the first goal that Bozak eventually scored for those who didn't watch last night.

Yes it was his cross ice pass that opened up the seam for Franson's pass.

 

[diceman934]

He's a pretty good playmaker, but as far as pure passing I don't think he's as good as Nazem.

Agree.....Kadri is among the best in the League as seem by his first Assist totals last year.

 

[ALine]

Bruins making a habit of giving up on some young players to quickly? I mean obviously you can't critique them too much because they are a great team but....

Thornton was still fairly young when they traded him for garbage. Went on to win Hart and scoring title with Sharks.

Didn't make room to sign a young Kessel, has went on to be one of the best scorers in the league.

Traded away a young second overall pick, off to a very hot start this season.

I'm not sure if they can be faulted at all. They have a strong team presently and our still set up well for the future. I think it speaks more to Boston's ability to scout, draft and develop players. I guess when your top players on a stanley cup contender are all stud second round picks, you have the luxury of trading your top picks.


Can't say anything bad about Kessel. I second what was said earlier, he really looks like a man out there. He's matured a lot and I credit that Boston series for giving him a taste of what it takes. For the leafs to go anywhere, it's going to take a full effort everynight. That, and his new contract. Kessel still has a lot to prove to the world. Man on a mission.

 

[Commander Clueless]

Man...

How far this team and Phil have come.

I know, crazy right?

No way we go up 2-0 on Detroit anymore.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

I dont think he's a 200 feet player however does he better defensively and hustles a lot more? Damn straight. It makes me proud that he has shut up so many people about he can't succeed in the carlyle system, can't be playing under a defensive coach, can't perform in the playoff and oh the list goes on!

He's definitely not a threat defensively as he was in the past, as he actually uses his body to cover the puck a lot more than before. Does he still make mistakes? For sure but ah well so does everyone, definitely not as many in the past

So kudos to him and thank you BRIAN MOTHER FREAKING BURKE! I MISS YOU IRISH FAT MAN!

 

[goonx]

Bruins making a habit of giving up on some young players to quickly? I mean obviously you can't critique them too much because they are a great team but....

Thornton was still fairly young when they traded him for garbage. Went on to win Hart and scoring title with Sharks.

Didn't make room to sign a young Kessel, has went on to be one of the best scorers in the league.

Traded away a young second overall pick, off to a very hot start this season.

Seguin only had that 4pt night. Otherwise I don't think he's "very hot". The problem with seguin is his personality. Sometimes he disappears so we'll see for the whole season how he does. Boston got a great player back in the trade.

 

[waingr0]

Kessel is getting better each year because he is maturing and becoming more confident. On and off the ice. He has always had a ton of natural talent and not a lot of confidence.

I predict Kessel peaking later than the average NHL foward.

 

[GordieHoweHatTrick]

Kessel is getting better each year because he is maturing and becoming more confident. On and off the ice. He has always had a ton of natural talent and not a lot of confidence.

I predict Kessel peaking later than the average NHL foward.

Precisely.

 

[ponder]

He has slowly and steadily improved pretty much all aspects of his game over his time with the Leafs. A few years ago I was pretty down on him, loved his offensive talent but hated how soft he was, and how little he competed on defence. He's never gonna be Patrice Bergeron, but his 2-way game has improved IMMENSELY. He's now an active part of the defensive effort, not just waiting for the puck but actually going and getting it back. In terms of physicality, he still doesn't hit much, but he's way more willing to engage physically both with and without puck, willing to take the hit and win physical battles instead of just bailing on plays when contact is coming.

He's gone from being a liability without the puck to decent without the puck, while also going from a very good offensive player to an elite offensive player. You don't need every player to be great defensively, but you DO need every player to be at least decent, and Kessel has got to the point where you don't worry at all about him being a defensive black hole. A few years ago he was a talented but flawed player, but since then he's transformed himself into a legit franchise player.

 

[ponder]

His defence has improved but his play along the boards is still bad. Almost always loses the puck if he's met by a defender along the boards.

He's way better than he used to be, though. He used to completely bail on board battles, and win basically none. Now he competes in almost all of them, and wins a decent number. No longer a liability along the boards, or anywhere really. Still below average in some areas, but slightly weak at a few things really doesn't really hurt the team much. It was when he was terrible at these things that it was a legit issue, and that's no longer the case.

 

[SteveV*]

He has slowly and steadily improved pretty much all aspects of his game over his time with the Leafs. A few years ago I was pretty down on him, loved his offensive talent but hated how soft he was, and how little he competed on defence. He's never gonna be Patrice Bergeron, but his 2-way game has improved IMMENSELY. He's now an active part of the defensive effort, not just waiting for the puck but actually going and getting it back. In terms of physicality, he still doesn't hit much, but he's way more willing to engage physically both with and without puck, willing to take the hit and win physical battles instead of just bailing on plays when contact is coming.

He's gone from being a liability without the puck to decent without the puck, while also going from a very good offensive player to an elite offensive player. You don't need every player to be great defensively, but you DO need every player to be at least decent, and Kessel has got to the point where you don't worry at all about him being a defensive black hole. A few years ago he was a talented but flawed player, but since then he's transformed himself into a legit franchise player.

Well put.

 

[Porn*]

he's matured and grown as a player... incredible... love watching him on the ice now, he's always a threat.

did we overpay? perhaps a little... but i'm still stoked ot have one of the younger, premier wingers in the game.

the key with kessel is work ethic and his want to win... that has improved ten fold and we're seeing it now.

 

[Patty Lee]

There was no doubt that empty netter was going in..NONE...and there was no defender in site to stop it...Kessel was closest to the puck. Saying he is a hero because he didn't steal away a goal from his team mate is like saying Im a good husband because I don't beat my wife. Give it a rest. Give Kessel credit where he deserves it and he deserves it in a lot of areas and in a lot of games. This isn't one of them.

he doesn't deserve as much as he seems to be getting, but it's not like the wife beating at all. probably 50/50 on who would have tapped it in.

however instict would have been to tap it in, so he did put some thought into not doing it.

 

[sonnykeyes]

however instict would have been to tap it in, so he did put some thought into not doing it.

Have to agree - it's a sign of maturity to take that moment to turn over the options in his mind, even harder to do when the play is going on.

 

[Tyler Biggs*]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH3eSfj3y08

Of all of Kessel's goals and plays, it's a non-goal and non-play that elevates his stature. It's hard for haters to criticize him now, he re-signed, he's a Maple Leaf.

Thank you Kessel!

 

[Remuskokafication]

All I can think every single time I scroll by this thread:

 

[gtforepro]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH3eSfj3y08

Of all of Kessel's goals and plays, it's a non-goal and non-play that elevates his stature. It's hard for haters to criticize him now, he re-signed, he's a Maple Leaf.

Thank you Kessel!

I was a Kessel-hater. I'm happy to admit I think I was wrong now. He seems to be giving 100% all the time in all areas. I loved seeing him all fired up against the Sabres in pre-season. Great stuff.

And I LOVE how he didn't touch the puck. I think most players would have, just on instinct. It was definitely meant as a pass from Raymond, but Phil noticed early that it could be going in and just shielded it with his stick and body. Again, I think most other players receive that pass and finish it themselves, and you couldn't call them out on it.

Also, if he'd just touched it as it was going over the line and then started pointing and laughing at Raymond, that would have been pretty funny. Could see him doing that to Bozie since they're such buds...

A Phil Kessel 200-foot player thread...who woulda thunk it?

 

[pucci2001]

There have been a ton of compelling storylines so far this season, but one seems to be happening under the radar, namely Kessel becoming a complete player. Lost in the unselfishness last night, the fact Kessel is now routinely on the ice at the end of the games. Perhaps more noteworthy, when Kessel is on the ice at the end of games nobody is cringing, there is actually some confidence that he can get the job done.

Kessel is much better on the boards, using his body for positioning. Kessel is winning pucks on the forecheck, in a way I've never seen before. There was a time where you never expected Kessel to take a puck, he'd simply wave his stick in a futile effort. Now, however, he looks pesty, he's pressuring with authority, and I don't think Phil is getting the recognition.

Kessel looks like a man out there now, if that makes sense. No longer the blatant defensive liability, there is a maturity to his game, which I see as an evolution from last year's playoffs against Boston. His compete level has clearly improved.

I just have a lot more confidence in Kessel now, he is showing us things we've never really seen before, he's becoming a legit 200 foot player. I'm not saying he's Bolland or Kulemin, but a sniper, fantastic player maker, who isn't a defensive liability, man we are lucky to have him...

He is the ****ing best. Not quite #1 but honestly He is in my top 15 players in this league if not top 10.