Kessel is so under-rated its digusting! The guy has improved his point totals every year since arriving, he's also improved his playmaking tremednously to the point where I'd say he's easily one of our best passers. This year he is much improved on his committment to defence, he's hustling back, tonight he took away several scoring chances tonight, he's doing everything his coach is asking of him and then some.
Was I the only one that got a bit happy when he slammed that water bottle against the bench?
This guy cares, and this guy wants to win. Bad. His attitude is the right one.
I love the effort - he's got a real active stick, isn't shying away from the board battles, and winning a lot of the 1 v 1 scenarios he's getting into.
As I said in the post-game thread, I'm not at all concerned about his lack of goals. He's getting 2 or 3 good chances a night, and doesn't have the luck right now - but as long as Phil get's chances, the goals won't be that far away.
Agreed! He's got two points already, and we know he can score. It is nice to see other areas that he has been criticized about in the past being brought up to speed. He is not one dimensional and we are lucky to have him.
Edit: Oh yeah I have him with the first goal for the prediction thread too
honestly, im surprised phil hasnt scored yet. Dont get me wrong, i love the way hes playing right now. He seems to be much more committed to the defensive aspect of the game, and his backchecking is unreal. I just wish he would throw his body around a bit you know? Not asking for huge hits or anything, id just like to see phil get a little more aggressive.
once he adjusts to carlyle's system we'll be back to watching the high scoring, bottle popping, corner sniping kessel we all love. he looks like a new and improved version of himself from last year. he looks like he's better shape and ready to take this team to the next level. i don't want to get too excited after 3 games and a 2-1 start, but if the Leafs and their goaltenders keep up this level of play we may be in for a fun and surprising season.
It's not like he is slacking, he has 2 points and we know he is trying to find the back of the net. Once he does it will be lights out. Credit to Carlyle because you can tell he has tried to make Phil a 2-way player, as he backchecked and broke up a couple scoring chances again tonight. I was so excited when he threw the water bottle in anger.. shows that he cares and that means something. My favourite is still when he sings the Canadian anthem
It's not like he is slacking, he has 2 points and we know he is trying to find the back of the net. Once he does it will be lights out. Credit to Carlyle because you can tell he has tried to make Phil a 2-way player, as he backchecked and broke up a couple scoring chances again tonight. I was so excited when he threw the water bottle in anger.. shows that he cares and that means something. My favourite is still when he sings the Canadian anthem
Many people forget that a guy like Steve Yzerman, a full decade into his career, was considered a defensive suck and a guy you can't build a team around, so much so that he was almost traded. He finally adapted and by his 16th year managed to win the Selke and became revered with god like status, causing convenient amnesia in many.
Not expecting Kessel to become Steve Yzerman, merely making the point that people with that set of stigma attached to them CAN develop and should Phil decide to turn the corner many years earlier than Steve did, well good for him and good for us.
I remember when Ovechkin was touted as improving his 2-way game when his offensive production started slipping. And yes I have seen Kessel and he was offensively a non-factor in the game against the Sabres
I remember when Ovechkin was touted as improving his 2-way game when his offensive production started slipping. And yes I have seen Kessel and he was offensively a non-factor in the game against the Sabres
Was I the only one that got a bit happy when he slammed that water bottle against the bench?
This guy cares, and this guy wants to win. Bad. His attitude is the right one.
I love the effort - he's got a real active stick, isn't shying away from the board battles, and winning a lot of the 1 v 1 scenarios he's getting into.
As I said in the post-game thread, I'm not at all concerned about his lack of goals. He's getting 2 or 3 good chances a night, and doesn't have the luck right now - but as long as Phil get's chances, the goals won't be that far away.
I'm betting tomorrow he scores.
Nope. I was thrilled to see how much passion he was showing. He is just a bit snake bitten trying to get the first goal of the season (which I think I heard was a milestone in a Leafs uniform- 100th?)
He'll start potting them soon and often.
I remember when Ovechkin was touted as improving his 2-way game when his offensive production started slipping. And yes I have seen Kessel and he was offensively a non-factor in the game against the Sabres
Get out of here.
He's been dangerous on almost every shift this year. His efforts can not be sold short.
Agreed. He's been playing great hockey and getting chances. He's hustling on the ice, he's forechecking (hallelujah)...I know it's a small sample size but I ****ing love Randy Carlyle because no matter what happens, we've already seen what these players are capable of doing when they commit to a Carlyle system.
I'm not worried about his scoring. He'll start potting them in soon enough.
Also, his attitude seems great and I noticed that change since the end of last season. He's a guy that shies away from attention but when the team was falling off the cliff, he was one of the few guys that actually made himself available to the media so that he could answer for his team and show accountability for their decline. Hopefully it's not too soon to say but he seems to be maturing right before our very eyes.
