lmao you post that and grip about folks spewing ignorance around here, oh man
I don't get this post? How am I showing ignorance for saying Kessel hasn't played with another elite forward on the team his entire time, and Phaneuf hasn't had a top pairing quality defensemen on the roster other than himself?
The point I am making is when the team has more than one option (two elite forwards, two dman they can rely on) suddenly the pressure is halfed, and it gives these players a lot more flexibility.
We seen how Rielly played when he got benched for mistakes under Carlyle and now that he has free run he looks better? Well Kessel and Phaneuf are under the microscope for everything, having some pressure off and another high end talent to work with makes a huge difference.
I'm not willing to write off these two players who have been asked to do everything themselves.
How are we magically going to just get a 1C and 1D?
Did you give one second of thought to that?
I don't know, and I addressed that later in my post by saying I could understand the argument of trading them due to the fact they would be in decline by the time those pieces were ready.
However I will say we have Nylander in the system, and looks like we have a legit chance at McDavid, Eichel, Hanifin, or Strome which would immediately solve one of those holes.
the problem is many here are so ahead of CK in the thought process and understanding of things that he just can't see them, save for their tail lights.
Right, if you want to stick on your high horse and cover your ears and believe what you want, then go ahead. You've already been doing that with our players calling them the issue, then moving on to the next guy/*****ing our guys were traded when they play well for another team.
Way to completely miss the point of his post.
Considering we've had about almost 6 years to draft/develop one since we've acquired Kessel, I think it's pretty safe to say that Kessel is the root of all of our team's problems, right
Truth be told he's never played with a #1D OR another top-liner in his entire tenure here. People always look for the most convenient scapegoat and cling to it.
Yup. I am not saying these guys are exempt from critism, however people are literally acting like Kessel and Phaneuf don't have NHL talent, when in reality they are two very talented players who have never had any help, and we're expected to be Doughty/Crosby for us.
Giving Kessel either an elite linemate, or an elite team mate who draws some of the defensive pressure off would do wonders for him, never mind the fact that if he is cold, the other player might be hot and we can get continues scoring.
Give Phaneuf the same treatment and suddenly he either gets to play much easier minutes or gets talented help so he can do his job better.
Succesful teams have 4 or 5 of these types of players. I'm saying the issue may not be Kessel @ 8m and Phaneuf @ 7, but having Clarkson Lupul, Gardiner, and JVR as their support. They need players in their range of talent.
I agree that Kessel needs a #1C but what are you going to do about his lack of fight? Phaneuf is as good as it gets #1 D pairing or not.
Kessel has lots of fight, we've seen it in him all the time, he loves to win. However the entire team has no morale or fight right now, so it's unfair to single him out. Again, this is something he can be criticized for, just not only him.
Props to you for posting some very reasonable things in this hectic time for the Maple Leafs.
If not sarcasm, thanks! I feel that fans have an unrealistic view of our players and blaming two players for 10 years of failure isn't logical.
I also think Coaching is still an issue, as we lost our entire offensive drive under Horachek, and the same thing happened to Florida under him as coach.
