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Phil Kessel

WillNyeTheHockeyGuy

WillNyeTheHockeyGuy

#29
Apr 11, 2010
3,777
0
Toronto
I see all these player threads yet no one has made one about good ol' Phil?

After his trade from Boston, he always seemed to fear the Bruins. Whenever we played Boston, he'd slink back from the play, shied from hits and wouldn't dare show any of the offensive prowess we all knew he had. He just played afraid. When I found out we had Boston to play in the 1st round, I automatically assumed that Kessel would be silent. What he did completely surpassed every expectation I had for him. Not only has he been scoring extremely clutch goals, he's fighting back. Just watching him even attempt to go at Chara just to get the puck back just made me feel awesome. It was such a thing of beauty. Thoughts?
 
Just goes to show that players continue to develop well into their mid-20s.

Kessel has impressed me greatly this year — I've always been somewhat of a Kessel apologist, but he definitely took his game to another level this year. He has developed his passing game (which always showed potential, he just made some questionable decisions at times — not anymore) and is now a weapon from anywhere in the offensive zone. He's learned how to absorb hits and his compete level seems to be much higher than it was a year or two ago.

I think Carlyle has been a big reason why Kessel has blossomed this year, to be honest. Very good fundamental coach.
 
Honestly... seeing him struggle all those games the last three years has been worth it just to see him succeed on the big stage, while Seguin and Hamilton **** the bed.
 
Brian Boyle said:
Just goes to show that players continue develop well into their mid-20s.

Kessel has impressed me greatly this year — I've always been somewhat of a Kessel apologist, but he definitely took his game to another level this year. He has developed his passing game (which always showed potential, he just made some questionable decisions at times — not anymore) and is now a weapon from anywhere in the offensive zone. He's learned how to absorb hits and his compete level seems to be much higher than it was a year or two ago.

I think Carlyle has been a big reason why Kessel has blossomed this year, to be honest. Very good fundamental coach.
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I agree with this too, at least in terms of Kessel steadily maturing. One thing I think I should've mentioned is that I believe Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmour lit a fire under Kessel's *** right before the playoffs. I'm sure most Leaf fans have read the 2 articles our beloved Captains wrote. I'm certain those two had personally spoke to Phil. It sure as hell has helped.
 
Best part about his play is the level of want I've seen. It's at a level I've never seen before... he's throwing checks and getting mad. I saw him take a good run at Marchand.


Lets not forget his nose taunts to Marchand back in Boston when they went to the box.

Couldn't be happier for the guy.
 
Sergei Berezin said:
Best part about his play is the level of want I've seen. It's at a level I've never seen before... he's throwing checks and getting mad. I saw him take a good run at Marchand.


Lets not forget his nose taunts to Marchand back in Boston when they went to the box.

Couldn't be happier for the guy.
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THIS THIS THIS. Holy, that pretty much sealed the deal making him my favorite player on the Leafs. I always thought the thing holding him back was his lack of...I don't know, interest? During this playoff series, every goal, every play, every hit, every chirp, I just see emotion. I literally tried hard to prevent tears rolling when I saw him celebrate that goal tonight. It was just an amazing time to be a Leaf fan. And I agree with you, it's so worth it now thinking back to have gone through all those **** games against the Bruins only to see Phil excel when it matters most. Beautiful.
 
2 gwg so far in his first leafs playoff series.

stepped up and was the best forward on either team in tonight's critical game.

but I assume people still think he's a secondary, non-building block type of player.
 
Nobody should be surprised by Kessel's compete level. Burke had made mention of it before and it was why he wanted Kessel on the Leafs. He wants to win and now when the games matter most, Kessel has stepped up.

He's not a defensive liabillity, he's not shying away from contact, he's going into the dirty areas to get the puck, he's throwing body checks and he's still the most dangerous player on the ice.

I won't mention any names but where are those guys who kept telling us that Kessel trade was the worst trade in Leafs history? Haven't heard much from them lately.
 
Can't say he didn't bring his game against Boston this time around.

He's been great for 2 seasons now. Some people will never be happy with him.
 
hero said:
6 GP, 3 goals, 4 points, +2, 27 shots.

He's done his part so far, that's for sure.
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If Kessel had Seguin's stats right now, we would be looking to run him out of town.

Kessel has proved to me (a long time ago) that he's a legit game breaking talent that deserves the big contract.

I want to see Kessel score 500 goals for the Leafs. I hope he's here for a long time.
 
Sergei Berezin said:
Honestly... seeing him struggle all those games the last three years has been worth it just to see him succeed on the big stage, while Seguin and Hamilton **** the bed.
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The most important game has yet to be played. 6 mediocre games will be forgotten in a second with a solid game tonight. And we all know Seguin has the talent to make that happen. Easily.
 
You really can't ask more from Phil. I thought he has been playing great and mindful of his responsibilities in his own end. I have been very impressed with his year overall.
 
Pi said:
If Kessel had Seguin's stats right now, we would be looking to run him out of town.

Kessel has proved to me (a long time ago) that he's a legit game breaking talent that deserves the big contract.

I want to see Kessel score 500 goals for the Leafs. I hope he's here for a long time.
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Interesting you say that. I just checked out the Ducks' board and the main board and not a single Ducks fan is trying to run Perry out of town after putting up just 2 assists in the 7 game series they just lost.

The Toronto fan base is.. uhh... interesting.
 
Pi said:
If Kessel had Seguin's stats right now, we would be looking to run him out of town.

Kessel has proved to me (a long time ago) that he's a legit game breaking talent that deserves the big contract.

I want to see Kessel score 500 goals for the Leafs. I hope he's here for a long time.
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I love Kess and always have...but Leaf fans are hypocritical...always comparing him to Seguin/Hamilton when it suits them...but then when the comparison is made to point out how Kessel struggles against Boston and Seguin loves playing the Leafs....we hear how its old news....that the trade is history blah blah blah....

Can't have it both ways. Leave it alone... and Seguin/Hamilton have not crapped the bed as some say...Hamilton has hardly played (what is he 20?) and Seguin has been snake-bitten much like Phil was until recently against Boston. I think Seguin is amongst the top shots taken on both squads in this series. Its not like he is invisible...simply been robbed on a number of occassions by King James. But he has certainly played well. And he still has time to redeem himself tonight..so I'd shut up about it unless you want to taunt the hockey gods....be my guest.
 
I've always been a bit critical of Kessel's softness, but this series he's been awesome. His skill level is elite as it always is, but he's also been battling hard, playing well defensively, and most of all not afraid of contact. He's been outstanding, huge props to Phil, IMO he's playing the best hockey of his life right now!
 
As much as I've loved Kessel since he came here, he's definitely grown a lot the past couple years and last night seeing him not only not shying away from contact, but initiating it was something else. I don't expect him to go after Chara every chance he gets, but if he can keep playing without that fear, he might even have another level we haven't seen yet and that's amazing to think about!
 
Jerkini said:
The most important game has yet to be played. 6 mediocre games will be forgotten in a second with a solid game tonight. And we all know Seguin has the talent to make that happen. Easily.
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I don't know that it will be forgotten. It isn't like Seguin has "gone dry". 40% of the guy's career playoff points have come in 1 game. What we've seen from Seguin for playoff point totals this series isn't so much the exception as the rule (or at least closer to the rule than the exception). Let's just hope it continues for one more game.
 
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