Player Discussion Ryan Kesler

[branmuffin17]

Assist was great! He also played over 20 mins but he wasn`t taking the crucial faceoffs, Rico was doing that instead, even when Kes was on the ice. So he obviously is not the old Kes.

Which is very odd... If he's not 100% bench him

I think a lot of it ended up being because Rico is a left hander and they were in the left faceoff circle. Prefer not having Kesler win it back toward his goalie.

Game stats had both under 50%, but Kes was 10-13 (43.5%) while Rico was 8-12 (40%).

 

[Kalv]

I think a lot of it ended up being because Rico is a left hander and they were in the left faceoff circle. Prefer not having Kesler win it back toward his goalie.

Game stats had both under 50%, but Kes was 10-13 (43.5%) while Rico was 8-12 (40%).

10 from 23 is very unKesleresque

 

[Paul4587]

Faceoffs fluctuate more than anything in hockey. Some times you just don’t have the sharpness and timing to consistently win them. Even guys who average 60% on the year have night where they are sub 40%.

And I agree with the comment about Henrique only taking draws because they were on his strong side.

 

[branmuffin17]

10 from 23 is very unKesleresque

But is still better than Rico, and WAAAAY better than Steel (4-11, 26.7%) or Street (1-6, 14.3%), especially when considering a defensive faceoff.

So yes, Kes averaging above 50% lifetime, this isn't like him...but I don't think it's because they think Rico will do a better job.

 

[ADHB]

If I recall, he wasn’t all that great at faceoffs last year either. I don’t think it’s a health issue. I think he was off so long and so busy rehabbing that he just hasn’t had time to focus on them. Once he can play and practice regularly for a while, I imagine he’ll get back to normal in the circle.

 

[Kalv]

You are right. But my point was that no matter what - Kes is not like he used to be in some areas of his game. Before the injury it wouldn`t matter which side it was - Kes would take that faceoff and win more times than not.
If his faceoffs aren`t that good, could it be his strenght that is lacking?

 

[branmuffin17]

Very possibly a strength thing. Remember also him talking about dropping 20 lbs. That's less force he can put, whether fighting to a stalemate, or forcing the puck back due to added weight.

@ADHB last year, he had 53.4% faceoff wins. The 3 years prior to that he was no lower than 56%, but 53% is still good.

 

[AngelDuck]

If he can be a solid 3C I will consider it a huge win. So far he looks less lethargic and slow than last year but is still rusty.

I don't know if we'll see the Kesler from 2014-2017 again

 

[Kalv]

Very possibly a strength thing. Remember also him talking about dropping 20 lbs. That's less force he can put, whether fighting to a stalemate, or forcing the puck back due to added weight.

@ADHB last year, he had 53.4% faceoff wins. The 3 years prior to that he was no lower than 56%, but 53% is still good.

Hmm good point, if he had 53.4 last year, imo no reason for it to be lower this year. Have to keep an eye on his FO`s going forward

If he can be a solid 3C I will consider it a huge win. So far he looks less lethargic and slow than last year but is still rusty.

I don't know if we'll see the Kesler from 2014-2017 again

I don`t think he will fall off THAT much. I think even now you could argue he is a servicable 2C with adequate wingers. Have to keep an eye on him of course because the sample size is small now, but he just averaged 20mins a night on a back to back earning a point while playing with meh or uncomplimentary wingers and still looked ok, except a few things.

 

[MMC]

Been a complete nonfactor so far, pointless in his last 11 games.

 

[paine]

4th line center.

 

[Trojans86]

4th line center.

sad to say but pretty much. I wonder if taking some time off to heal the hip and work on rebuilding his strength would help.

 

[Paul4587]

I would say mid to low range 3C but even then it’s not ideal. Hopefully he can regain some mobility because that’s what’s really hurting him the most.

 

[branmuffin17]

Not sure he's even 3C worthy at this point...he's definitely not seeming to have any speed, and I'm not seeing nearly as much in the battle / pest factor.

5 points in 24 games. As an FYI his faceoff % is currently at 52.8...close to last year, but a bit down, and significantly down from years before.

 

[KelVarnsen]

He needs to retire. He is a shell of himself and his contact has to be one of the worst in the league.

It does make me sad to watch him play because of how bad it has become. Compete non-factor.

 

[Pennaduck]

His TOI is down even from last year. He's currently on pace for 16 points and has 1 G, 0 A in the last 20 games so at the recent rate he may end up with even fewer points than that on the season. I don't put too much stock in plus/minus but his -10 is worst on the team and significantly worse than the next closest forwards in terms of plus/minus (Silf, Rakell, Street are -4).

So he's not providing much offense and not providing the solid defensive play that you could use to justify the lack of offense, and he does not really make an impact in terms of physical play. He still shows some glimpses of what he used to be (IMO) so I wouldn't say it is a pain to watch him play, but he's basically a total non-factor on the ice most nights and at best he is a grossly overpaid average 3rd line center at this point.

The current CBA has opt-out clauses for both the NHL and NHLPA that can be exercised in Sept 2019. Our best case scenario is if owners push for a lockout to get another compliance buyout deal and we are able to buy out the contract without it affecting the cap.

 

[Exit Dose]

I hope Carlyle pulls him off the goddamn power play. He brings nothing there, and I would contend that he's actually a detriment. But hey, this is the road to mediocrity that we're on. Even if we make the playoffs, it's not going to matter.

 

[paine]

He needs to retire. He is a shell of himself and his contact has to be one of the worst in the league.

It does make me sad to watch him play because of how bad it has become. Compete non-factor.

Why would he retire? He's not leaving $20 million on the table.

 

[pbgoalie]

The good news is, he’s being managed better. Getting nights off, not too much ice time.....you know, letting him get as fully healed as possible.....right?

Right?

 

[Duck Off]

Why would he retire? He's not leaving $20 million on the table.

yeah he's not going to retire, but I think I remember seeing something where Stephens said if he's go on LTIR for rest of his career; 80% of it is covered by insurance. Him simply going on LTIR is a win.

 

[AngelDuck]

On pace for 16 points lol. You are fooling yourself if you think he is even a 3rd line level player. Antoine Vermette put up (who we rightfully wanted run out of town last year) put up 16 points in 64 games last season with 0 PP time.

Every possible option to getting him off the team needs to be mulled over this offseason by the people in charge. It's not an exaggeration to say that at this point.

The coaching staff hasn't shown to be capable of properly reducing his role. We are giving 17 minutes of ice time per night to a complete blackhole.

 

[Deuce22]

As long as he is active, RC will continue to run him out there for big minutes. He's got him on the PP, for crying out loud.

 

[Getzmonster]

Other than Ritchie recently, we don't really have anyone else that can park at the top of the crease with skill enough to tip in pucks or clean up rebounds. At least, I'm guessing that's how Randy sees it. Kes can win draws and create some net-front presense. I think that's all there is to it.

 

[Exit Dose]

Other than Ritchie recently, we don't really have anyone else that can park at the top of the crease with skill enough to tip in pucks or clean up rebounds. At least, I'm guessing that's how Randy sees it. Kes can win draws and create some net-front presense. I think that's all there is to it.

Veteran presence?

 

[Getzmonster]

Veteran presence?

Lathered in it.