Nithoniniel
Registered User
6th, 8th, and 6th in the last 3 seasons, so yes, he will contend. Will he win? Probably not.
Why do you keep posting bleacherreport articles? That's a better question.
Why do you keep posting bleacherreport articles? That's a better question.
With bozak as his centre, no way.
But as kessel critic, even I have to admit that with a proper number 1 C, he would have a shot at the art Ross.
But as kessel critic, even I have to admit that with a proper number 1 C, he would have a shot at the art Ross.
Community
44 is Rielly good
MastuhNinks
Registered User
No.
Could he finish very high in the Art Ross trophy race? Yes, he has for 3 straight seasons. However, if Crosby, Malkin or Stamkos play close to 82 games they will beat him.
Could he finish very high in the Art Ross trophy race? Yes, he has for 3 straight seasons. However, if Crosby, Malkin or Stamkos play close to 82 games they will beat him.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
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Kessel has the ability to score at an Art Ross pace for long stretches, but then he also goes ice cold. I don't know if it's just the nature of being a sniper or whatever, but he won't win one unless it all comes together and he has one of those dream seasons.
Kessel also uses a very whippy stick, which limits his arsenal of shots to basically that sling-wrister most of the time. He has no slap shot and isn't a one time threat at all. I wonder if it would do him some good to switch to a more versatile stick to give himself more options aside from the wrister and the tap in. The bomb wrister is nice, but when that's neutralized it doesn't hurt to have other looks.
Kessel also uses a very whippy stick, which limits his arsenal of shots to basically that sling-wrister most of the time. He has no slap shot and isn't a one time threat at all. I wonder if it would do him some good to switch to a more versatile stick to give himself more options aside from the wrister and the tap in. The bomb wrister is nice, but when that's neutralized it doesn't hurt to have other looks.
Right there is the answer. NO.
Imagine Joe Thornton as Phil Kessel's center.
Art Ross would go to one of them.
He has one of the best wristers in the league, why should he weaken it to try to get a better slapshot? Especially since he can take snapshots.
Stephen
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rrc1967
Registered User
I would say kessel is not "entering his prime" as that suggests as when the season starts he'll be 27. Forwards usually peak around 24-27, and if we look at Kessel's numbers they seem to indicate that.
of course he may have a "dream season" where everything just goes right, and there' certainly nothing wrong with a 40 goal / PPG winger at all.
but .. this report - I'd certainly give the nod as far as "odds" to seguin (and no, not starting that debate) .. but at the age of 22 he certainly isn't anywhere close to peaking.
imo this is why he's never reached 40 you need to be able to score multiple ways in order to get to 40, he basically has a wrister/snap shot no back hand, no slap shot, no one timer, and he doesn't score dirty goals or tip ins.
3 years ago was his 6th year in the NHL which for forwards is the first year of the prime so it's not a surprise
Mess
Global Moderator
When Toronto acquired Kessel 6 year's ago he was coming off a 36 goal season. Now his career best is 37 goals.
Hopefully now that he is making $8 mil per we start seeing 40+ seasons at regularity.
He has been a PPG and the Art Ross is awarded to the player that leads the NHL in scoring.
The plan is to actually cut back Kessel's icetime and play the 4th more which might actually decrease his offense not increase it.
Stephen
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There was a nice comparison between he and Stamkos floating around somewhere, and it basically said that whereas Kessel can be fairly passive at times on the power play, Stamkos is actively positioning himself for a one time opportunity which makes him a one strike threat or a garbage goal threat depending on the situation. Because Kessel uses such a specialized stick he isn't able to utilize that aspect as a second option, so teams can usually defend him by taking away his space and time for a wrister. Kessel's really evolved his playmaking game over the years, but he's at a pretty consistent level now. I wouldn't be surprised to see his production spike one of these years but 80 odd points sounds about right. Hopefully he'll also evolve his conditioning so he can keep his speed later into his career. 27 isn't young for a scorer whose game is built on speed.
Rielly4
Registered User
- Dec 12, 2012
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No hes so used to it its what makes him special...
I would say it would do him good to give him a serious one time threat to pass too over on the other side of the umbrella, James Neal woulda been nice.. Maybe Phaneuf or Gardiner can be that guy.
diceman934
Help is on the way.
This 100%....I say that his center may very well change this year....we need someone who can drive possession and help to create offense to help that line be a plus line.
hatterson
Registered User
For him to realistically be a contender, Crosby and Malkin would both need to miss significant time.
If they don't, I'd say he's a contender for a top 5 finish just like he was this year.
If they don't, I'd say he's a contender for a top 5 finish just like he was this year.
Mess
Global Moderator
Crosby finished 24 points ahead of Kessel last year on only 36 goals which for Crosby would be considered an off year as he has shared the Rocket before with 51 in a season.
Crosby would need to miss at least 1/4 of a season to level the playing field with Kessel in points.
I think Stamkos is the potential #1 challenger for the Art Ross behind Crosby, as Stevie can get 50 goals in a season in his sleep.
theIceWookie
#LeafHysteriaAlert
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Crosby's 51 goal season is an outlier. He's only had one other season with as prolific a goal scoring pace, and the rest settle in around the 32-39 range.
