Still really like Kesler. One of my favorite two-way guys in the league. I understand the hate, there has to be villains in the NHL, and he's one of them. He seems real human to me. People can hate him all they want, but as a NHL star, people expect him to above and beyond.
He came into the league and was projected to be a 3rd/4th line shut down guy. He worked his butt off for a few years, to the point his defensive game was so solid that he could hold his own line. There was a bit of bad blood, even in Vancouver because he did sign that offer sheet but Nonis matched it. People questioned his offense but we all know how it's developed. Canucks acquiring Mats Sundin might have helped.
While, lots of people hate him. He is a competitor. Vancouver fans won't admit it, but he was the heart and soul guy for the teams for years. He did everything. He got his respect as a shut down guy, and at that time, he was fighting whoever. He wasn't a coward when he was coming into the league. He gained and earned his respect. He wasn't afraid of anything, he'd take on guys tougher than him, if they were better than him on the ice.
It wasn't until he started putting up points and started to score big goals, that he became confident and cocky. He's a guy that demands respect, and he deserves everything. Alain Vigneault was a coach, who absolutely did not want his best players fighting or going into the penalty box. So, what did Kesler do? Agitate. He's not stupid. This guy drew penalties like nobodies business. He made the Vancouver team hard to play against, when nobody else on that team could provide physical contributions.
The guy is an absolute stud. You can say all you want about that Vancouver team, but no one on that team was a tough guy. They had guys like Kesler and Burrows who played a role to **** people off, and the diving worked. They just took advantage of it.
He's a top level shut down center, with a lethal shot, ups his game during the playoffs, physical, he's everything you want in a shutdown center. He can put garbage on his wing, and he'll still be able to make that line effective. He is a line on himself. So, I don't blame him for being selfish at all.
People hate him for the wrong reasons. Whining, crying, diving, whatever. You guys act like, guys like Crosby, Malkin, Thornton, name whoever. Who's you think hasn't done it. It's simple, he's American, he's a pest, he's cocky, and he's damn good. So, its easy to hate him but boy, oh boy, I'd love to have him on my team. People absolutely hate him for the wrong reasons, but when his career is one and done, people will reflect on what a hell of a player he is.
As for rookies, Rookies need to earn their respect. That's how Kesler made a career for himself. That's how he knows how its done because it's worked for him. Where as, the Twins were sheltered in their early years and everyone had to protect them and hold their hands. It's a different career path and people should understand that. Kids like Corey Schneider, Cody Hodgson, and Jake Virtanen were prized and top prospect coming up and into the NHL. These guys were entitled, there was nothing wrong with Kesler wanting these kids to show some respect. He earned everything he's got.