Phil Kessel

[Beaninfritz]

Wow, Kessel is NOT fat. A fat person simply couldn't accelerate and skate as fast as he can. If he in fact did put on weight during the lockout, he just put it on in his face. Most likely he burned off whatever excess within the first month of play too.

Like others have said, he'll have to pay more attention to conditioning down the road (say a few years from now), but at the moment he's doing just fine.

 

[Guy Boucher]

If you really want to try to argue that Kessel doesn't look fatter in the recent mugshot, then...whatever. He's gritting his teeth Give me a break...

You really want to argue that an overweight guy is one of the fastest athlete's on the planet? MOD

 

[anderson3133]

You really want to argue that an overweight guy is one of the fastest athlete's on the planet?

People have this weird idea that they can somehow determine someone's weight by pictures. It happened a lot during the lockout as well, sadly.

 

[Egoclapper]

This is not an overweight man:

Does he have an impressive physique? No. But he is not overweight.

Few NHLers have "impressive physiques". For every Phaneuf and Lupul there's gonna plenty like Kessel, Gunnarsson, Kadri, Bozak, etc etc etc.. who if you saw out on the street you'd never guess they were pro athletes.

 

[Sonny21]

That's fine if others disagree but I certainly can see the difference...

 

[anderson3133]

That's fine if others disagree but I certainly can see the difference...

You're committing so many mistakes in this comparison:

1. Kessel is wearing a jersey in his first picture, hiding any sort of fluff that you deem to be "overweight"

2. The first picture is just prior to season start while the other two are during the off-season, making any real comparison null.

3. You're determining his weight based on photos, a scant few at that, and you're saying this is some sort of linear progression in his weight.

 

[Pi]

I know your getting lots of flack but I do agree with you. I give Kessel HUGE kudos for stepping up in playoffs and how he played and feel we need to re-sign him in off season.

He may not be fat and out of shape per say but has lots of room to improve. I have seen the difference in his face from the press conference with Burke and now. Once he hits 30, he could hit a wall imo.

Nobody needs to jump on each others throats because some people criticize one aspect of a our player. That's fine if some others don't see it or don't agree.

At least it's good that the Leafs have an advantage to sign him. 8 years vs 7 years + we don't have to deal with front loaded contracts and teams shelling out 80M on Kessel.

I think Kessel's best years will be 27-28-29 and then he'll be a ~70 point guy from then on.

There is lots of room for improvement for any player. If Kessel could just work a little harder in his slumps, he could be a 95-100 point player. He certainly has the talent for it, he just needs to work a bit harder.

 

[Sonny21]

You're committing so many mistakes in this comparison:

1. Kessel is wearing a jersey in his first picture, hiding any sort of fluff that you deem to be "overweight"

2. The first picture is just prior to season start while the other two are during the off-season, making any real comparison null.

3. You're determining his weight based on photos, a scant few at that, and you're saying this is some sort of linear progression in his weight.

I am making the assumption that Kessel doesn't take his off season that seriously. Noting more, noting less.

Now weather if he was more in shape, he would be scoring like 90 points and etc I don't really know really.

I don't think it's holding a cause of concern too much right now, but don't believe me, just wait until he hits 30/31 and everyone will see how he will take a step back.

I am honestly not surprised that he found a new gear in playoffs, since Carlyle is known to have tougher practices and concentrate on some conditioning drills as well.

Kessel has earned a lot of respect among lots of fans for his playoffs performance including myself, but it seems anyone see's Kessel in any light of negativity is jumped on and as if how dare anyone criticize Kessel. Sure I also understand sometimes players are nit picked as well a bit too much.

Either way, his off season conditioning has always been a question mark. If that's not a concern to others or don't believe that to be the case, so be it. We all want the Phil Kessel to continue to succeed with Maple Leafs at the end of the day.

 

[Sonny21]

At least it's good that the Leafs have an advantage to sign him. 8 years vs 7 years + we don't have to deal with front loaded contracts and teams shelling out 80M on Kessel.

I think Kessel's best years will be 27-28-29 and then he'll be a ~70 point guy from then on.

There is lots of room for improvement for any player. If Kessel could just work a little harder in his slumps, he could be a 95-100 point player. He certainly has the talent for it, he just needs to work a bit harder.

Yeap, although personally I prefer 5 years max.

 

[anderson3133]

I am making the assumption that Kessel doesn't take his off season that seriously. Noting more, noting less.

Now weather if he was more in shape, he would be scoring like 90 points and etc I don't really know really.

I don't think it's holding a cause of concern too much right now, but don't believe me, just wait until he hits 30/31 and everyone will see how he will take a step back.

I am honestly not surprised that he found a new gear in playoffs, since Carlyle is known to have tougher practices and concentrate on some conditioning drills as well.

Kessel has earned a lot of respect among lots of fans for his playoffs performance including myself, but it seems anyone see's Kessel in any light of negativity is jumped on and as if how dare anyone criticize Kessel. Sure I also understand sometimes players are nit picked as well a bit too much.

Either way, his off season conditioning has always been a question mark. If that's not a concern to others or don't believe that to be the case, so be it. We all want the Phil Kessel to continue to succeed with Maple Leafs at the end of the day.

Most players fall into this category. Watch the Biosteel video from two summers ago and the guy running it says the exact same thing.

Paraphrasing his statement: The last couple of weeks before training camp starts is like the last couple of days before finals. The guys slack all summer and then try to do all of their working out in hopes of passing.

 

[Sonny21]

Most players fall into this category. Watch the Biosteel video from two summers ago and the guy running it says the exact same thing.

Paraphrasing his statement: The last couple of weeks before training camp starts is like the last couple of days before finals. The guys slack all summer and then try to do all of their working out in hopes of passing.

I didn't say he was the only one, did I? Since you did bring it up, that's exactly why it would benefit him if he did join a Biosteel program which I believe is held few weeks before camp opens.

 

[anderson3133]

I didn't say he was the only one, did I? Since you did bring it up, that's exactly why it would benefit him if he did join a Biosteel program which I believe is held few weeks before camp opens.

Biosteel is like a two week program. Very little improvements are made in a two week time, when you're talking about weight.

 

[Sonny21]

Biosteel is like a two week program. Very little improvements are made in a two week time, when you're talking about weight.

It helps them get into better condition, that alone would help. If it was as useless, I can't imagine why the players would waste they're time. Besides, Gary Roberts runs his off season program every year, which many top NHLers attend like Stamkos, Neal, etc etc.

Maybe not every pro NHLer is keeping in great shape over the summer, I doubt many lose them self's too much either.

As I've said, just wait until he gets to 30-31.

 

[anderson3133]

It helps them get into better condition, that alone would help. If it was as useless, I can't imagine why the players would waste they're time. Besides, Gary Roberts runs his off season program every year, which many top NHLers attend like Stamkos, Neal, etc etc.

Maybe not every pro NHLer is keeping in great shape over the summer, I doubt many lose them self's too much either.

As I've said, just wait until he gets to 30-31.

I never said it was useless in its entirety. What I did say was: that for what you guys are complaining about, his weight, it would be useless.

 

[Sonny21]

I never said it was useless in its entirety. What I did say was: that for what you guys are complaining about, his weight, it would be useless.

We're complaining about his conditioning, or lack thereof which seems apparent from his off season pictures. How does one put on weight? Lack of exercise, conditioning, bad diet and etc.

The proof is there that he doesn't take his off season conditioning seriously at all, and all we're saying is that it would greatly be beneficial for Kessel if he improved in that area.

It's that simple really. But hey, continue to state x reason why we're wrong and how Kessel does no wrong.

 

[anderson3133]

We're complaining about his conditioning, or lack thereof which seems apparent from his off season pictures. How does one put on weight? Lack of exercise, conditioning, bad diet and etc.

The proof is there that he doesn't take his off season conditioning seriously at all, and all we're saying is that it would greatly be beneficial for Kessel if he improved in that area.

It's that simple really. But hey, continue to state x reason why we're wrong and how Kessel does no wrong.

Would I like him to workout as hard as Tavares? Hell ya, who wouldn't?

"Apparent from his offseason pictures" means you think he gets fat, the exact thing I addressed. Unless, of course, you're telling me that he looks slow in still images?

However, his conditioning (speed) never falters, so why should I care if he enjoys his summer the way he does?

 

[threeGo]

Would I like him to workout as hard as Tavares? Hell ya, who wouldn't?

"Apparent from his offseason pictures" means you think he gets fat, the exact thing I addressed. Unless, of course, you're telling me that he looks slow in still images?

However, his conditioning (speed) never falters, so why should I care if he enjoys his summer the way he does?

You should care because you'd expect that from a player that you will be signing for big money. Why not train during the offseason properly and get an increase in production? Why be satisfied for an A- when you can get the A+ with a little effort added?

 

[Leafidelity]

Only ppg player in the NHL with over a thousand amateur dietitians and trainers.

MOD Patrick Kane looks like a prepubescent boy from the waist up. Core and leg strength is hockey.

 

[Sonny21]

Would I like him to workout as hard as Tavares? Hell ya, who wouldn't?

"Apparent from his offseason pictures" means you think he gets fat, the exact thing I addressed. Unless, of course, you're telling me that he looks slow in still images?

However, his conditioning (speed) never falters, so why should I care if he enjoys his summer the way he does?

That's why I said wait until his 30-31, because Kessel is still at a young age where his body recovers faster. I think playoffs were a great example, he showed a gear which we haven't seen thoroughly in the regular season.

It will only get harder for him as he gets older to keep up the same pace/speed/etc throughout the season with a bad off season.

I think one of the points that this whole thing was brought up was believing that Kessel would be even more better if he had better off season and wouldn't be surprised to see him get 90 points and etc. Now whether that would be the case, who knows.

What's wrong with people saying it would be nice for Kessel to improve his off season conditioning anyways? I mean that's fine if you don't think it matters right now, but it also doesn't make anyone wanting to see that wrong either.

 

[Bodybr3ak]

I am making the assumption that Kessel doesn't take his off season that seriously. Noting more, noting less.

Clearly he does because he comes out on fire every season.

You guys ITT seem to have fundamentals for hockey players confused. Having 17 inch shredded biceps isnt going to help you, its all in the core/lower body for hockey players. I can guarantee every s/c coach has front squatting 3x/week in their programs for hockey players.

 

[Sonny21]

Clearly he does because he comes out on fire every season.

You guys ITT seem to have fundamentals for hockey players confused. Having 17 inch shredded biceps isnt going to help you, its all in the core/lower body for hockey players. I can guarantee every s/c coach has front squatting 3x/week in their programs for hockey players.

You don't think training camp and week or so before camp even opens, he gets into better condition? Also when it comes to conditioning, it won't necessarily effect his speed, mainly his stamina/endurance. Without training camp this year, he really didn't exactly come out firing out either.

You also seem to have missed the main point of my argument, while it may it not be holding him back right now, as he gets older (30-31) it surely will without proper off season conditioning.

 

[Hanta Yo]

The difference between an 80 point Kessel and a 100 point Kessel is not fitness level...

 

[Ari91]

It seems like every off season breeds the discussion of Kessel and his weight.

The matter is very simple actually - changing your routine, working out more, eating differently, etc. doesn't necessarily make you a better or worse player. It's all about knowing your body and what works best and makes you feel best. I could understand the concern if it affected his most valuable assets as a player (speed and skill) but it doesn't. Just because he doesn't have the physique of Ryan Kesler or tweets about going to the gym and eating rabbit food for dinner doesn't mean that the guy doesn't take care of himself nor does it leave room to fairly assume that doing something in particular (despite none of us actually knowing what his off season workout is) will make him better.

 

[Incognito]

Kessel has a round face and a receding hairline. If you saw him on the street and didn't recognize him, you'd never guess he was an elite athlete. Looks can be majorly deceiving though.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

i saw kessel downtown recently and he's definitely not fat.