TLeafsFan
A True BeLeafer
I'm not a Damien Cox fan to say the least but this story is worth a read. But he can't even get his facts straight concerning Kessel's contract given that it has 7 years remaining after this season, not six. His 8 year contract didn't kick in until the start of this season.
STORY: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/happened-maple-leafs-top-line/
The opening few paragraphs are a perfect example of the current state of affairs with that line.
It was early in the second period on Monday night, and the Maple Leafs organized a power play breakout against the Minnesota Wild. Dion Phaneuf turned to his left and made a tape-to-tape pass to Tyler Bozak standing at the red line. Bozak accepted the pass and then circled back into the Toronto zone.
Start again.
Bozak then made a pass to Phaneuf on his left, and the Leaf captain relayed the puck to Phil Kessel at the Minnesota blueline. Kessel, also standing still when he accepted the pass, also then circled back into the neutral zone.
By this point, Leaf fans in attendance had to be wondering; exactly what direction are we going in here?
Ultimately, the play ended in an offside on the other side of the ice involving the third member of the line, James van Riemsdyk. Soon, the Leafs No. 1 line was replaced with a makeshift crew that included Zach Sill, Richard Panik and Tim Erixon, and that group produced two good scoring chances.
Mystification all around.