Phil Kessel isnt paid to go into corners. Phil Kessel is paid to score goals and put up points. He does that very well.
Remind me again how many games Kessel has missed since his Leaf debut? Then remind me again how many games Taylor Hall, a guy who is praised for going into corners, has missed
Ya, entering this concussion era playing 82 games a season is becoming more and more impressive and important. A soft 82 points in 82 games Kessel is way more valuable than a tough and bruising 40 points in 40 games Hall.
I still think Kessel needs to show more compete when it comes to puck battles and to be more engaged in the defensive zone but I dont think he needs to be leaps and bounds tougher like some people do.
Ya, entering this concussion era playing 82 games a season is becoming more and more impressive and important. A soft 82 points in 82 games Kessel is way more valuable than a tough and bruising 40 points in 40 games Hall.
I still think Kessel needs to show more compete when it comes to puck battles and to be more engaged in the defensive zone but I dont think he needs to be leaps and bounds tougher like some people do.
Agree about the D zone. Not putting his body at risk in the offensive zone when he is already a PPG player doesnt concern me, but a lack of d-zone effort can hurt the team
He plays a soft game on the ice in terms of his willingness to go into the nasty areas of the ice or initiate contact, but there's zero chance you can call him soft off the ice.
Dude had cancer and major shoulder surgery and missed a combined total of 24 games
Mono, an abdominal tear last season, and apparently a wrist injury this season.
The guy is a great player and has been surprisingly durable! Maybe not playing that physical backchecking game is a good thing because it keeps him on the ice doing what he does best SCORING!
He has a wrist shot like Sakic and a speed like Selanne
Phil Kessel isnt paid to go into corners. Phil Kessel is paid to score goals and put up points. He does that very well.
Remind me again how many games Kessel has missed since his Leaf debut? Then remind me again how many games Taylor Hall, a guy who is praised for going into corners, has missed
Truth. You help your team 0% by being too injured to play (unless you suck and the guy replacing you is better )
One point out of top 5 with a wrist injury.
Since the lockout only 22 players have been top 6 in scoring (out of a possible 42). Now I did not do all of the math on the ages, but I believe only 7 of these players were under the age of 25.
7 players since the lockout have done this. That is it.
If you figure there are 360 forwards (at least) playing a year. he is in the top
1 percent in scoring.
He has played 222 straight games despite an abdominal tear and an injured wrist.
You cannot question Phil Kessel's dedication to winning, and I believe that while he gets the majority of the blame personnel wise (Along with Phaneuf and Reimer), he's one of the only gleaming bright spots this team has right now.
