Kessel Vs. teamates

[Hunter Gathers]

I do not hammer on US hockey & certainly not on Kessell. You may think pointing out obvious biases & taking issue with people stating things with certainty as attacking, but it is far from it. I also take issue with ridiculous comparisons (ie. Kessell = Crosby as a prospect. I'd say the same thing if somebody wrote Toews = Crosby. I'd think there would be an even bigger uproar over that, but it seems whenever one doesnt say the golden boy is the next coming (ie Crosby), people fly into a rage ) .
In terms of the T.O. issue, you should read a little closer. I didnt say they were analagous. I used it as an example to counter the argument/point that internal strife doesnt affect a team. I thought that was abundantly clear.

I guess your wording wasn't clear enough on that TO comparison because I definately assumed you were comparing the Kessel incidents to the TO incidents. Appologies on that.

 

[Sammy*]

I guess your wording wasn't clear enough on that TO comparison because I definately assumed you were comparing the Kessel incidents to the TO incidents. Appologies on that.

Maybe I should start .
Kessell = T.O.
Can you imagine the hamerring I would get?
No, I must say, Ive never read anything where he or any member of the US team are supposed to be dickheads.
Come to think of it, hockey in general has virtually none, & none at all as compared to other sports.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

I think it's obvious that Kessel just hates everyone named Jack.

If team USA does have problems with some ego's I don't expect them to last long, this is a unit that has essentially been together for the last year or so, and even though many of last years squad have gone off to college's of some sort, they are all still probably quite familiar with one another. Shouldn't take long before the team gels, with or without ego's.

 

[Hart_House_Ca]

I expect the USA to finish dead last and be moved to the B Pool by the end of the day. That's less than 24 hrs now.

 

[KariyaIsGod*]

The post comparing the Kessel and Skille/JJ stuff to the antics of T.O. is one of the most boneheaded and utterly Pejorative Slured posts on this board since it's inception. Are Canadian fans that worried about this team that a few need to make idiotic statements like that?

Take a comprehension course.

It's pretty clear he was using the T.O. example as an illustration of what can happen when there is a locker room rift in team sports... He wasn't comparing precious Phil to T.O. at all other than by implying that perhaps, they might both have some issues with their teammates...

 

[Habs Icing]

How in the world is there any form of "bigotry" in my post? Learn the ****ing definition before you sit there and throw out big words like that there, buddy.

Maybe if you would've been posting here long enough you'd see that, yes, there are a number of FIERCELY biased Canadian fans on these boards and USA is trashed on quite a bit.

But seriously. Learn the definition of a word like "bigot" before you sit there and toss it around.

BTW, I wasted my 7000th post on replying to this comment.

Maybe you should pick up a dictionary and learn the meaning of bigot. You just did it again and what's amazing about it is you're completely oblivious to it. (Do I need to look up the meaning of oblivious for you?)

Just because there are a number of fiercely biased Canadian fans thrashing the USA doesn't make it okay for you to do the same with Canada. And just for info, I've also read a number of fiercely biased Americans fans doing the same.

that's what happenes when you bring nationalism into sports. But of course you don't do that.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Maybe you should pick up a dictionary and learn the meaning of bigot. You just did it again and what's amazing about it is you're completely oblivious to it. (Do I need to look up the meaning of oblivious for you?)

Just because there are a number of fiercely biased Canadian fans thrashing the USA doesn't make it okay for you to do the same with Canada. And just for info, I've also read a number of fiercely biased Americans fans doing the same.

that's what happenes when you bring nationalism into sports. But of course you don't do that.

big·ot ( P ) Pronunciation Key (bgt)
n.
One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.

I'd like you to go ahead and disect my posts and see where I am intolerant to someone who has a different opinion of mine. Obviously you don't understand what the definition means since no where have I posted anything even remotely like you must percieve I have.

That's what happens when you bring big words into a forum. But of course, you don't do that.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Take a comprehension course.

It's pretty clear he was using the T.O. example as an illustration of what can happen when there is a locker room rift in team sports... He wasn't comparing precious Phil to T.O. at all other than by implying that perhaps, they might both have some issues with their teammates...

Take a chill pill and breathe. I already talked it over with Sammy and said I read it wrong in my head what he said. But maybe you should go back and look that up.

Take a vision and reading course.

 

[espo*]

Well,whatever anyone says about the U.S and Canadian teams here i can say that when those teams meet we as hockey fans are gonna get one shitkicker of a game.Canada may lose or the U.S may lose but man..........................i'm gonna be entertained by the best sport in the world when all is said and done..............................i know that for sure.That game will be a doozy!!! If ya can't get it right now,make sure you go someplace that you can.As a true hockey fan,you owe it to yourselves.That game will be sharp,intense,fast and focused.Oh baby..................it's gonna be a great one.

 

[Jet]

Wow... I really had hope this thread was moving away from the pissing match it was becoming... but no such luck I guess.

The one big concern I have about the US team aside from thier obvious depth and experience is Robbie Schremp! This guy is gonna slice and dice defenders all over the ice, especially on the PP. Which kinda makes me a tiny bit happy cause I'm an Oiler fan.

For Matt MacInnis... when you mention Bourque... this is Chris Bourque, the kid who spent some time with the Blackhawks? (Ray's son?)

 

[Habs Icing]

The post comparing the Kessel and Skille/JJ stuff to the antics of T.O. is one of the most boneheaded and utterly Pejorative Slured posts on this board since it's inception. Are Canadian fans that worried about this team that a few need to make idiotic statements like that?

I haven't got time to dissect your posts. Why don't you just re-read this one. You've already admitted to misreading the original post by Sammy. And once you misread you went on to make that last bold sentence.

You don't agree with the opinion of one Canuck and somehow you make the intergalatic leap to all Canadians are worried about "this team". Funny in this same thread I've read a number of posts from Canadians stating that they think the American juniors are the team to beat but you jump on that one post (which you admit to misreading). You should look at your own idiotic statements before you go make pronouncements.

oh another definition of bigot (aside from the one you pulled out)....a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinion; one who regards or treats the members of another group with hatred or intolerance.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Wow... I really had hope this thread was moving away from the pissing match it was becoming... but no such luck I guess.

The one big concern I have about the US team aside from thier obvious depth and experience is Robbie Schremp! This guy is gonna slice and dice defenders all over the ice, especially on the PP. Which kinda makes me a tiny bit happy cause I'm an Oiler fan.

For Matt MacInnis... when you mention Bourque... this is Chris Bourque, the kid who spent some time with the Blackhawks? (Ray's son?)

I agree about Rob Schremp. I think he's going to rule the tournament from the half-boards, especially on the PP. If teams are going to have success against the U.S. they're going to have to stay out of the penalty box.

By-the-way, the Bourque you're thinking of is Rene, and he's not related to Ray. Ray's son is Chris, who currently plays for the Hershey Bears and is property of the Caps.

 

[espo*]

I agree about Rob Schremp. I think he's going to rule the tournament from the half-boards, especially on the PP. If teams are going to have success against the U.S. they're going to have to stay out of the penalty box.

By-the-way, the Bourque you're thinking of is Rene, and he's not related to Ray. Ray's son is Chris, who currently plays for the Hershey Bears and is property of the Caps.

Yep,Teams will have to stay out of the box with them.I'm excited to see just what this teams stretgths are and how to counter it.

 

[Bad News Benning]

take it for what you will but my brother went to the US practice the other day and said Kessel didn't seem to get along with many of his teammates and that he had an argument with head coach Walt Kyle.

 

[USA!]

take it for what you will but my brother went to the US practice the other day and said Kessel didn't seem to get along with many of his teammates and that he had an argument with head coach Walt Kyle.

Oh no im glad hes the only player on the team

 

[MN_Gopher]

take it for what you will but my brother went to the US practice the other day and said Kessel didn't seem to get along with many of his teammates and that he had an argument with head coach Walt Kyle.

Keep in mind that Kessel, Mueller, Frazee and E. Johnson have all known each other form midgets. They are best friends. And all wanted to play for the gophers and Kessel kind of tagged along, being the only non-Minnesotian in the group, along with Stoa who did not make the team. Got to have strong bonds to pull a WI kid to the Gophers.

I am not saying that he does or doesn't get along with some of his teamates. But it would be nice to know what was said over what was obsereved. Not that it really matters but is it possible that the other players are not getting along with Kessel.

I have seen every players at every level argue or get into each others face with a team mate or coach. The trick is to see if it will resolve. Young and Rice had there fits as did Stockton and Malone, heck even Jordan and Jackson had odds. Most pitchers have fits when catchers come to the mound. Athletes are competitive and do not want anyone telling them what to do. I want a guy with a little fire anyway.

Again i was not there and have no idea what went on. But there is a line between confidence and cockiness. I want a guy that wants the ball at crunch time, or tell the manager he will get the next out or will hit a homer. Just think if Kirk Gibson was reserved. And when dealing with quiet athletes thet look arrogant too. Barry Bonds quiet guy some say good guy some say jerk. Its easy to peg Peyton Manning and Ron Artest though.

Kessel can come across as a jerk that wants nothing to do with his team or coach or even fans. And he can come a cross as a quiet, shy guy that just wants to play hockey. And could care less about the circus.

Anyway my tirade is over. Merry X mas

 

[Rabid Ranger]

take it for what you will but my brother went to the US practice the other day and said Kessel didn't seem to get along with many of his teammates and that he had an argument with head coach Walt Kyle.

I will take this for what it's worth.

 

[Petey Knights]

I agree with many on here that I think this will be a non-issue. These guys will conduct themselves in a manner that will further their future pro careers. None of these guys wants to be known as a guy that causes a rift in the dressing room. It's a reality that not all teammates are best friends outside of the rink.

The only issue the US might have in this tournament is whether or not Schneider/Frazee will step up and backstop this team to gold. Dynamic, deep offenses go away without gold every year. To win you need great goaltending.

 

[firstroundbust]

So the beef really just seems to be between Phil's mother and the Skille and Johnson families, no?

We can only imagine the drama when Robbie McConnel and Kumar Singh suit up for Canada (this reference will get alot of blank faces from our American friends I think).

*blank face*

 

[Jet]

I agree about Rob Schremp. I think he's going to rule the tournament from the half-boards, especially on the PP. If teams are going to have success against the U.S. they're going to have to stay out of the penalty box.

By-the-way, the Bourque you're thinking of is Rene, and he's not related to Ray. Ray's son is Chris, who currently plays for the Hershey Bears and is property of the Caps.

thx for the info Rabid

 

[Jet]

I think all this talk of this player and that player not getting along doesn't matter so much. I've been on a bunch of teams in my hockey 'career' where players haven't been buddies or liked each other... heck, I've been one of those players! Our teams did pretty well for the most part. It's not something you're thinking about on the ice. If a guy is open, and he's the appropriate person to pass to, you do it... doesn't matter if you like him or not.

Now, the situation where it could matter is when as a unit the team isn't tight. Players don't know each other, there's no bond formed, guys are less willing to stick up for each other. That is a chemistry problem and is usually due to multiple problem players in the room or just not enough time to gel as a team. The US shouldn't have that problem since they've changed their program to foster team building.

The US IMO are the favorites... although I still truly believe Canada will win Gold again!

 

[Hunter Gathers]

I haven't got time to dissect your posts. Why don't you just re-read this one. You've already admitted to misreading the original post by Sammy. And once you misread you went on to make that last bold sentence.

You don't agree with the opinion of one Canuck and somehow you make the intergalatic leap to all Canadians are worried about "this team". Funny in this same thread I've read a number of posts from Canadians stating that they think the American juniors are the team to beat but you jump on that one post (which you admit to misreading). You should look at your own idiotic statements before you go make pronouncements.

oh another definition of bigot (aside from the one you pulled out)....a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinion; one who regards or treats the members of another group with hatred or intolerance.

I guess you've missed the posts on the board of the last few years of the INCREDIBLE Canadian homers that do post here. Even ones that sya the US didn't deserve to beat them not so long ago.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

take it for what you will but my brother went to the US practice the other day and said Kessel didn't seem to get along with many of his teammates and that he had an argument with head coach Walt Kyle.

I HIGHLY doubt this.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

People need to remember that these kids aren't 5 years old and playing in a dodgeball tournament. They are all professionals at this point and know that most of them will be in the pros in some form or another.

 

[ZombieMatt]

jet228 - Sorry for not getting back to you, I was travelling. Rabid answered your question.

Considering the consistent reports about Kessel's difficulty with teammates, including a piece on it with TSN, it doesn't really seem highly doubtful that he would have more disputes. But I didn't see any indication of problems in the practice and game I saw while in Victoria. The team seemed VERY cohesive and appeared to have come together quickly. Just my personal observation.