Well lets put it this way, i see players trying all the time to score goals but few succeed at this well.
Phil lacks the will/grit to get in the dirty areas of the ice to be an effective 2 way player.
Is it fear?
Is it him conserving energy/positioning for when/if a O situation opens up?
I'll watch with these things in mind.
So if Phi is strictly for offense...why on earth is he being played for 26 minutes? Is RC trying to pull something out of him that probably won't come?
I definitely agree he doesn't go to the dirty areas...he comes up and shoots his elite shot into the keeper"s chest (at least this year).
I do look for it. You could make a video compilation after every game showing exactly how many minutes Kessel spends standing around while the Leafs are stuck in their own zone.
I do look for it. You could make a video compilation after every game showing exactly how many minutes Kessel spends standing around while the Leafs are stuck in their own zone.
No doubt he is not strong in the Leaf end. While he could at times get more involved he shouldn't be running around either.
You mentioned back check and puck battles and he has been engaged in both of these this year.
So if Phi is strictly for offense...why on earth is he being played for 26 minutes? Is RC trying to pull something out of him that probably won't come?
I definitely agree he doesn't go to the dirty areas...he comes up and shoots his elite shot into the keeper"s chest (at least this year).
First thing that popped to mind was, Carl is sending Phil a message.
Maybe something to do with the shape he came into camp?
Maybe to send a message that, that's what your top forwards play, 23/24 ish mins a game?
Look at last nights box scores.
Kovalchuk in NJ, just under 29 mins toi.
Lots of teams top forwards get between 21/24 mins a night.
It's been toyed with a bit, but playing Kadri with Kessel seems like a decent idea to me. Bozak has definitely played admirable with Kessel, but I feel that Bozak isn't enough of a threat in his own right to make players back off Kessel. Kadri has shown some fantastic vision with his passing plays, but is also proving to be a threat himself. I wonder if playing Kessel with Kadri would allow Kadri's creativity to find Kessel open, but also Kadri can shoot the puck when the pass isn't there.
Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf are the last stand of the Burkites
The same group that desperately supported every move/word Burke said right up until he had to be removed . Are not desperately defending every word/move Dion/Phil make. These two are all you have left. You have all constantly been wrong time after time - this situation will be no different. Phil will be traded - Dion will be demoted and become toxic. NO teams will touch his contract so Toronto will be stuck with him until it expires.
PK moved at the deadline before his NTC kicks in. Phaneuf next deadline as a rental.
Here's what I feel the main issue with Kessel and I could be wrong on this:
Kessel has never been a gym rat, and during the offseason/lockout I don't think he worked out much nor did he get any hockey in. Because of those two issues he's a few steps behind the rest of the pack and its biting him badly now! Thats not to say it'll last, Kessel needs to get himself back into gamshape and his legs back under him, he'll warm up and once he does he'll be white hot, I have zero doubts about his skill, the dude is elite BUT what worries me is his lack of self respect towards his body and off ice work ethic, needs to be addressed.
It's been toyed with a bit, but playing Kadri with Kessel seems like a decent idea to me. Bozak has definitely played admirable with Kessel, but I feel that Bozak isn't enough of a threat in his own right to make players back off Kessel. Kadri has shown some fantastic vision with his passing plays, but is also proving to be a threat himself. I wonder if playing Kessel with Kadri would allow Kadri's creativity to find Kessel open, but also Kadri can shoot the puck when the pass isn't there.
- In theory it works, Kadri is much more creative then Bozie is and would help Kessel get more chances. That being said, Kadri STINKS on faceoffs, and lets face it Kessel line in their own end is pitiful defensively, so no it woudlnt work. Bozak works with Kessel because HE is a defensive consciencse of the line, whereas Kadri is still growing/evolving, he's not ready just yet to anchor the top line.
The issue with Kessel is whether he's likely to re-sign here. Various so-called "insiders" seem to think he doesn't want to be in Toronto beyond his current contract, which (if true) would make trading him this season all the more imperative, before the Leafs lose leverage.
- In theory it works, Kadri is much more creative then Bozie is and would help Kessel get more chances. That being said, Kadri STINKS on faceoffs, and lets face it Kessel line in their own end is pitiful defensively, so no it woudlnt work. Bozak works with Kessel because HE is a defensive consciencse of the line, whereas Kadri is still growing/evolving, he's not ready just yet to anchor the top line.
Being 45% on the draws is not considered bad, which is where Kadri is. He still needs to get better in that department, but he doesn't stink either.
The issue with Kessel is whether he's likely to re-sign here. Various so-called "insiders" seem to think he doesn't want to be in Toronto beyond his current contract, which (if true) would make trading him this season all the more imperative, before the Leafs lose leverage.
You have a link for that right. otherwise your blowing this up on purpose.
