Why does everyone hate Ryan Kesler?

[Cupless44]

I know he has a bit of a mean streak but I happen to find him a very likeable player. He plays the game as hard as anyone and he always takes the toughest matchups each night, and can shut down any line in the league.

I see a lot of people say Thornton needs a cup, or Ovechkin. Which seems very odd to me. You hate Kesler and then support a complete d bag and the biggest ******* in the league in Ovechkin. You people are so hypocritical.

He is a jerk on and off the ice.

 

[Aestivalis]

Because he says stupid, arrogant **** like 'No human being can withstand that many hits' then loses while said human being skates off to win the Conn Smythe.

That is some legendary crow to be eating. See you at the links, Kes!

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I like Kesler. Mike Richards embarrassing him all series in 2012 is one of my favorite hockey memories

I think he's toned it down a little bit on the Ducks which is probably why OP is struggling with the issue, but the guy has (had?) a mouth and arrogance not commensurate with his talent, had no problem throwing cheap shots but diving when anyone got near him, and refused to answer the bell unless he got to spot pick.

Hell of a defensive center and plays his role to a T though, and has had remarkable production bounce-back from his injury issues as well.

 

[Ceremony]

Extremely disappointed we've had this many posts and no tumbleweed gifs.

 

[cbzblaze]

It's mainly from his time on the Canucks. He's toned it down quite a bit since being on the ducks. Very effective on ice player but his arrogance was off the charts and rubbed people the wrong way. Kesler, Bieksa and Burrows were all punks on that team, just made people hate the Canucks.

 

[JarvisFunk]

I loved it when Canada sent Kesler a message in the World Cup pre-tournament games. After he ran around in the first game trying to be an agitator, in the next game those back-to-back hard hits by Tavares and Thornton had Kesler tucking his tail between his legs and keeping quiet the rest of the way.

This is pretty much how I see Kesler, he runs around, thinks he's a tough guy, and then as soon as he's put in his place, he cowers.

He's a good player when he's not pretending to be tough tho.

 

[ZJuice]

This is pretty much how I see Kesler, he runs around, thinks he's a tough guy, and then as soon as he's put in his place, he cowers.

He's a good player when he's not pretending to be tough though.

Domi earned a place in my heart for the number he did on Kesler

 

[Breakers]

I love Kesler

Plus he is the only player I have ever seen who single handedly won a playoff series when Vancouver played Nashville

 

[Leonardo87]

Love Kesler. Two way forward, blocks shots and is not afraid to get dirty.

 

[57special]

He's an arse.

 

[AvroArrow]

Dives, whines, cries, doesn't fight when challenged, dirty hits. For lack of a better term he's a little B word.

Anybody have that gif of his cartwheel dive while skating past Mike Richards a couple years ago ? That was embarrassing.

 

[PuckSeparator]

He is a dooshbag, pure and simple. Not sure how anyone that has seen him play and is not a fan of the team he's on can stand him to be honest.

 

[2 Minute Minor]

He kicked my puppy, that jackass.

 

[GellMann]

I hate holding and interference and how players get away with it now and he is very good at utilizing that officiating tendency to his advantage. I've seen him literally sit on a player before.

 

[2 Minute Minor]

Wasn't he the guy who was talking smack about Backes' wife Kelly during the playoff series between St Louis and Vancouver?

My serious answer: I don't think he shows respect for his opponents out there. He hits people in vulnerable situations, and generally comes across as a jerk.

 

[mikeyp24]

Only player I have ever got a jersey of that's not on my team. If people think whining and diving are an issue but still like guys like Crosby and hate cheap shots but like guys like Marchand... Its a joke to hate Kesler.

 

[WesMcCauley]

I dont. He is smart, defensive beast and very effective twoway player. He does some stupid **** but he does them for the right reasons. Player you hate to play against and would love to have on your team.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

I know he has a bit of a mean streak but I happen to find him a very likeable player. He plays the game as hard as anyone and he always takes the toughest matchups each night, and can shut down any line in the league.

I see a lot of people say Thornton needs a cup, or Ovechkin. Which seems very odd to me. You hate Kesler and then support a complete d bag and the biggest ******* in the league in Ovechkin. You people are so hypocritical.

You complain that Kesler is hated seemingly for no reason, and then you call Ovechkin a d-bag for no reason.

Do you see the irony in what you wrote?

 

[jaysoneil]

I don't think he can withstand that many hates.

 

[JuniorNelson]

Some people in Vancouver hate Kesler because, when traded he said the Canucks won't be competitive for four years. This came after the Sedins were extended (by hockey genius Aquilini) for four years!

 

[Lieutenant Bookman]

By all accounts he's a huge dbag off the ice

Well he's a Dbag on the ice too so I guess that isn't surprising

 

[Unholy]

The Kesbae <3

 

[Classicnamesup]

He dives and he's a pest. There's lots to dislike.

 

[scorvat53]

I love Kesler

Plus he is the only player I have ever seen who single handedly won a playoff series when Vancouver played Nashville

He was my favourite player when he was in van, That nashville series he was on another level.

 

[Davey Duck]

Bet you would mind if you looked at his Corsi.
HINT: He has a worst CF% than Yakupov.

Among the 381 forwards with at least the 39 games Yakupov has played, one of these players ranks 15th in % of offensive zone starts and the other ranks 361st (18th worst). And the latter leads the league in defensive zone faceoffs, with 42 more starts than the next closest player. I think you can guess which player is which.

And these players both have the exact same Corsi. Interesting choice of players to compare.