Is playmaking underappreciated?

[anderson3133]

Am I the only one that has noticed Kessel not backing down to some of the physical play lately? Like battling the boards harder and hitting? Or are my Leaf shutters to thick?

Or getting into a slash fest with John Scott on the faceoff?

 

[Stephen]

In order to ingratiate yourself to a large portion of the Leafs fanbase, all you really need is a mustache and some muscle.

Playmaking is often to fine a luxury for this fanbase to fully appreciate.

 

[RealisticLeaf55]

Or getting into a slash fest with John Scott on the faceoff?

Hahahaha, I loved that!

 

[BayStBullies]

It has nothing to do with playmaking; Kessel is under-appreciated.

/thread

 

[hobarth]

Playmakers are *******, scorers are men, playmaking is the softest form of offensive production and the easiest way for Kessel to make his paycheck.

I want my Kessel back.

 

[RealisticLeaf55]

Playmakers are *******, scorers are men, playmaking is the softest form of offensive production and the easiest way for Kessel to make his paycheck.

I want my Kessel back.

Takes a playmaker to have a goal scorer

If we make the you-know-whats than I suspect Kessel will show his scoring ability. He is pretty good in the p-offs.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Playmakers are *******, scorers are men, playmaking is the softest form of offensive production and the easiest way for Kessel to make his paycheck.

I want my Kessel back.

Somebody has to set up the play. His linemates sure have not, for the most part. JvR's playmaking skills are lacking. Bozak has made a few nice passes, but not too many. Kessel by far is the best playmaker on his line.

 

[KLM-Line]

This Phil Kessel discussion starts with his predestined role as a sniper/scorer on this team and more importantly on his line. A playmaking Kessel goes to waste if we lack a clutch finisher on that line.

In short: We need Kessel the scorer more than Kessel the playmaker. In the end that`s what the all the fan mocking and critizism is about. Maybe not fair to him but imo it is the truth.

 

[LeeIs]

undercover kessel thread. I voted Harhar.


p.s. who doesn't appreciate a sweet pass or a great play that leads to a goal?

 

[anderson3133]

This Phil Kessel discussion starts with his predestined role as a sniper/scorer on this team and more importantly on his line. A playmaking Kessel goes to waste if we lack a clutch finisher on that line.

In short: We need Kessel the scorer more than Kessel the playmaker. In the end that`s what the all the fan mocking and critizism is about. Maybe not fair to him but imo it is the truth.

Kessel has and will always be a goal scorer. However, he is also streaky, like most goal scorers, and with a shortened season we were guaranteed to see an anomaly on either side of his typical production. In short, we were either going to see Kessel score well below his pro-rated average of mid-30s or we were going to see a massive pro-rated average well beyond his typical mid-30s.

 

[Stephen]

Playmakers are *******, scorers are men, playmaking is the softest form of offensive production and the easiest way for Kessel to make his paycheck.

Tell Doug Gilmour.

 

[Morbo]

Playmakers are *******, scorers are men, playmaking is the softest form of offensive production and the easiest way for Kessel to make his paycheck.

Amazing.

 

[Morbo]

Stuff like this thread is why we can't have nice things, btw.

 

[BayStreetBullies*]

Are guys like St.Louis doomed to sit in the shadow of players like Steve Stamkos? Are they just as valuable as their goal sniping counterpoints?

St. Louis has won the Art Ross, Hart, Lester B. Pearson, and Stanley Cup. Not to mention 4 seasons of 90+ points, and 6 seasons of 80+ points. What shadow?

 

[The_Chosen_One]

It's funny. During those games where Kessel's line disappeared and Kadri's line shined, he was still facing the opposition's shut down line. You'd expect Kadri's line to experience that, but no, Kessel's line is considered main threat by the teams we've faced.

The so-called realists don't understand that hockey is a team sport. It is a grueling 60 minute game which involves multiple lines. Even more, just how does one "disappear" while producing more-or-less a point-per-game? Heck, even Malkin has days when he isn't producing like the 6-1 loss to the Rangers. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy, and noticed that when watching the game.

After all, he's a big guy, with Sundin-esque reach (note: Sundin >>> Malkin). On the Penguins, only Crosby plays extremely consistent. His defensive game often makes him appear better than Gretzky. Never mind the fact that the "Great One" is a god in the privileged area. Let's get real: we're not getting him. Claude Giroux, despite not being as gifted offensively, is comparable and we're not getting him either. I don't we'll seeing top five forwards with that kind of defensive game for a while. Do remember, Richards and St Louis were never top ten picks.

Kessel is so damn underrated. I'd love if he was 6'8", winger version of Eric Lindros. I mean, who the hell wouldn't? No need to undersell the guy, because he's a elite player and if he's gone we're going to find him very difficult to replace. In fact, give Kessel a Wendel Clark that plays centre and watch him compete with Crosby in offensive production. Yes, he's that good.