I mean, expectations from the time he was still an undrafted prospect. He is obviously a lock for 30 goals and 65-70 points a season at this point, but he was supposed to be the next big thing if my memory serves me right.
That was not fair to him and also ridiculous, people wanted an American Crosby. He never had that potential. He has exceeded my expectations, never thought he would ever come close to 40 goals.
Phil is doing what was expected of him. The whole "American Crosby" thing was ridiculous from the start. The guy went fifth overall. I wouldn't rule out 100 points for him given the right linemates. Lupul was excellent this season but Phil reached 82 points because he's a great offensive player. People like to say Phil needs a center, which he does, but he's shown he can be the one man show that other elite offensive players are, he just hasn't put up 80+ points prior to this season. Seems like we now expect players to go straight from the draft to super stardom in just a few months. I don't know what other people's expectations were/are but 82 points in a season...that's pretty damn good.
I mean, expectations from the time he was still an undrafted prospect. He is obviously a lock for 30 goals and 65-70 points a season at this point, but he was supposed to be the next big thing if my memory serves me right.
Obvious troll is obvious.
Don't know what more can be expected of Kessel. PPG player and top 5 in goal scoring w/ Bozak as his center. Not sure what else can be expected.
umm, I don't know, I feel somewhat neutral and happy about this season. I think he did an awesome job carrying our offense throughout the season with decent line-mate like Lupul but I still beleive he has 40+ goals and possibly 90+ points potential, whether he will get there or not is entirely up to him and the future #1 C. though, I have a gut feeling he will eventually at some point in time hit that mark.
I think he would have actually scored 40+ goals, There were numerous times this year where Kessel was really making things happen in the offfensive zone like any top forwards but simply his luck wasn't there at times to really get those results. Nonetheless, this was a solid from Kessel and he was our biggest bright spot all year long.
I hope to GOD the Leafs can draft a player at #5 this year that will score at least 30+ for 4+ straight years, hit 80 points and still potentially not reach his ceiling.
He had a great year and has nothing to apologize for. Gets way too much flak because he was part of that bad trade and the Leafs have stunk. They've stunk in spite of Kessel not because of him. If he doesn't get hurt he's a 40 goal, 90 point player this year. And with scoring being down as it is that's spectacular. He's a bit of a one way player, but that's okay as long as you're being productive.
Don't know if he'll be as good next season but he's got nothing to be sorry for this year. He did his part.
He surpassed Patrick Kane and Zach Parise in points and was the highest scoring American player in the league this season.
So yes, you could argue he is Americas Crosby.
You guys are delusional. If he had 10% of Crosby's work ethic or compete level, he would be an elite player. Instead, hes a soft, floating perimeter player that is the leading scorer on a non-playoff team. Congrats!
I mean, expectations from the time he was still an undrafted prospect. He is obviously a lock for 30 goals and 65-70 points a season at this point, but he was supposed to be the next big thing if my memory serves me right.
You don't need a memory with Google so the "next big thing" quotes should be easy to find.
You guys are delusional. If he had 10% of Crosby's work ethic or compete level, he would be an elite player. Instead, hes a soft, floating perimeter player that is the leading scorer on a non-playoff team. Congrats!
I said Americas Crosby... not Canadas...
I am in no way advocating hes anywhere near as good as Crosby.. hes not. Crosby has more compete and work ethic in him then any other player in the NHL and that's why hes the best in the world.
I think he's been about what was expected, especially in Toronto. Consistently putting up 30+ goals and nice point totals when you're a sniper without a pure passer to play with cannot be understated. Also, I have no idea why he has so many haters and why so many people think he's soft. I've seen many highlights of him making gutty plays.
