Worth of kessel is equal to Seguin, Hall, Eberle, Murry, Skinner, Duchene, Fowler, Couts, Huberdeau, Landeskog contrary to the belief that he's "worthless" in leaf land.
You think we could get Tyler Seguin, Taylor Hall, Jeff Skinner, Sean Couturier, or Gabriel Landeskog 1-for-1 for Phil Kessel?
I knew a majority would vote YES since Kessel score goals.
For me scoring goals is of course important but going forward that should not be the only requirement for a key player on this team. And lets face it, the money he is making an the money he will be making after his next contract he will be THE key player for us. Having a negative +- (yes, I know, a flawed stat) is not saved by the goals he score. He have been sniffing around 40 goals but so far have managed it so it is not as he is one of the best goal scorers either. For me Kessel is part of the problem of what is wrong with this team and I would not feel sorry for a second if he was traded for a player who perhaps does not possess his talents but who give his all every game in every area of the ice in every game situation. Then you get true value for your money.
Have you seen Phaneuf's adv. stats? He's a better defender than anyone gives him credit for and easily the best on the team.
I would say Gunnarsson is the best defender on this team. Calm and controlled in defensive situations. Able to make a smooth pass out of his zone or skate out with it him self if needed. I would rank Gardiner 2nd (but with the potential to become the best) and Dion only 3rd.
And lets face it, the money he is making an the money he will be making after his next contract he will be THE key player for us.
Why? Almost every top team has 2-4 players making the money Kessel makes. I really don't understand why some seem to think it's Kessel OR instead of Kessel AND. We can add more good players. We should add more good players.
Why? Almost every top team has 2-4 players making the money Kessel makes. I really don't understand why some seem to think it's Kessel OR instead of Kessel AND. We can add more good players. We should add more good players.
And that is why it is so important to spend the money wisely on the right kind of players, a goal scoring winger is not one of those if you want success.
Boston figured out that to keep their other key players they could not hang on to Kessel despite his talents seeing as not only would he not buy in to the overall team tactics and philosophy but his salary would mean they would have to turn a player away who would.
Perhaps some of the people voting NO don't think he will re-sign in Toronto and therefore is not part of the future. The way things are looking right now its no playoffs again so Kresselly might decide to walk.
Never ceases to amaze me how some fans are never happy with what they have. I can't remember the last time the Leafs had a young sniper like Kessel. I do remember watching Bure, Selanne, Bossy etc racking up goals and thinking, wouldn't it be great if the Leafs had a player like that. Looking back now, I'm sure there would be some fans that would even scrutinize those guys, picking on their defensive liabilities.
Never ceases to amaze me how some fans are never happy with what they have. I can't remember the last time the Leafs had a young sniper like Kessel. I do remember watching Bure, Selanne, Bossy etc racking up goals and thinking, wouldn't it be great if the Leafs had a player like that. Looking back now, I'm sure there would be some fans that would even scrutinize those guys, picking on their defensive liabilities.
Oh well, just no pleasing some people.
Selanne never won a Cup until he played a supporting role on a team well into his career, with a team of two-way defence-first players.
Bure never won a Cup.
As a Leafs fan, I personally don't give a **** who plays on the team, just as long as the team is winning.
The Leafs have won dickity do with Kessel on the team.
Selanne never won a Cup until he played a supporting role on a team well into his career, with a team of two-way defence-first players.
Bure never won a Cup.
As a Leafs fan, I personally don't give a **** who plays on the team, just as long as the team is winning.
The Leafs have won dickity do with Kessel on the team.
Good post and is spot on what I said in my post above.
When it comes to skaters, first of all you build a strong core of 2-way players, defenders and centers then you add wingers to suit the style you want to play. But the basics first of all. We have done it the other way around. We have added some nice supporting players and wish that those core pieces will drop in to our laps.
Never ceases to amaze me how some fans are never happy with what they have. I can't remember the last time the Leafs had a young sniper like Kessel. I do remember watching Bure, Selanne, Bossy etc racking up goals and thinking, wouldn't it be great if the Leafs had a player like that. Looking back now, I'm sure there would be some fans that would even scrutinize those guys, picking on their defensive liabilities.
Oh well, just no pleasing some people.
No different than the ones who use to call for Sundin's head and yell "give Domi the C'.
There will always be a very vocal minority that doesn't really understand what they are watching.
As for Kessel, of course he fits into the long term plans. The Leafs will be a good Team again once Phil is the 2nd best forward.
For now I'd say yes he does fit. He contributed a lot. Although there are better options --- not that many better options. We keep Kessel unless we can get at least 2 top 10 overall picks (1 of which is top 5). Or if we get a player like Matt Duchene+ (long term right?).
