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Phil Kessel

blacksheep said:
That would be selling short the likes of Sundin, Gilmour and Clarke. We've had a few more gems along the way than your statement implies, but generally, it is correct that Kessel certainly is the best to come along in a long while.
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No, it wouldn't be selling them short at all.
 
Players to Score 30+ Goals Three Years in a Row
Jeff Carter
Sidney Crosby
Jarome Iginla
Phil Kessel
Ilya Kovalchuk
Patrick Marleau
Rick Nash
Alex Ovechkin
Bobby Ryan

Most Combined Goals from 2010 to 2012
Stamkos
Marleau
Ovechkin
Perry
Iginla
Gaborik
Crosby
Sedin
Kessel

Good company. I could be wrong but I think only Marleau, Iginla, and Kessel are on pace for a 4th 30+ goal season.
 
I'm beyond impressed with Kessel this year (not that I'm shocked lol)- Kessel has taken the big step from being a merely good player to an elite one. Kessel is a constant factor in each game whether its scoring a clutch goal or making a highlight reel assist, hes game in and game out our most dangerous forward. Yes, Kessel is still a bit "streaky" when it comes to goal scoring, but even when he isnt sniping a goal, hes making plays, backchecking with authority and just making something happen out of nothing. Call me crazy but this guy is every bit as talented as Stamkos/Malkin/Kane etc, its just that he gets a bad rap because of the trade. I would not be shocked to see this guy get 40-45/80-85pts as early as this season.
 
hockeylover said:
Players to Score 30+ Goals Three Years in a Row
Jeff Carter
Sidney Crosby
Jarome Iginla
Phil Kessel
Ilya Kovalchuk
Patrick Marleau
Rick Nash
Alex Ovechkin
Bobby Ryan

Most Combined Goals from 2010 to 2012
Stamkos
Marleau
Ovechkin
Perry
Iginla
Gaborik
Crosby
Sedin
Kessel

Good company. I could be wrong but I think only Marleau, Iginla, and Kessel are on pace for a 4th 30+ goal season.
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+ Daniel Sedin. He only scored 29 in 09/10, but in 63 games.
 
Pronger84 said:
I'm beyond impressed with Kessel this year (not that I'm shocked lol)- Kessel has taken the big step from being a merely good player to an elite one. Kessel is a constant factor in each game whether its scoring a clutch goal or making a highlight reel assist, hes game in and game out our most dangerous forward. Yes, Kessel is still a bit "streaky" when it comes to goal scoring, but even when he isnt sniping a goal, hes making plays, backchecking with authority and just making something happen out of nothing. Call me crazy but this guy is every bit as talented as Stamkos/Malkin/Kane etc, its just that he gets a bad rap because of the trade. I would not be shocked to see this guy get 40-45/80-85pts as early as this season.
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You're crazy.
 
He's every bit as talanted as those guys from a pure skill standpoint. There's a reason why he was described as the American Crosby as a youngster. Kessel is very Pavel Bure-like at his best.

The issue is, he doesn't possess the physical stature / strength of those guys, which holds him back somewhat.
 
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He's just as big as Stamkos and bigger than Kane.

The guy is 6'0 200. He is a big dude. He just used to play like he was a lot smaller. This year its different though. He goes into the corners, and battles for pucks, and never gets outmuscled. Except against Chara.
 
PlayerToBeNamedLater said:
He's every bit as talanted as though guys from a pure skill standpoint. There's a reason why he was described as the American Crosby as a youngster. Kessel is very Pavel Bure-like at his best.

The issue is, he doesn't possess the physical stature of those guys, which holds him back somewhat.
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I do think he's a legit top line guy and even an 80+ point guy, but I'm not ready to put him in the same class as Stamkos & Malkin.
 
He isn't in the same class as Stamkos and Malkin, until this year.

But I thought we were talking about pure skill. Mogilny and Kovalev were two of the most skilled players ever, doesn't mean they were two of the best players ever though.

But like Leafman mentioned, Kessel is battling and fighting a lot more this year (which maybe wasn't the case in the past), which is a key reason for his success so far.
 
And Kessel is without question one of the more skilled players in the game. Has one of, if not the, best shots in the NHL. Also has probably the best explosive first few steps behind only Crosby. Plus he has sick hands and vision and can do everything at top speed.

His work ethic and heart was always the question mark, never the talent.
 
Kovalev must have been the most streaky NHL player ever. When on his game, mostly unstoppable. But hardly ever on his game for more than a month at a time.
 
PlayerToBeNamedLater said:
He isn't in the same class as Stamkos and Malkin, until this year.

But I thought we were talking about pure skill. Mogilny and Kovalev were two of the most skilled players ever, doesn't mean they were two of the best players ever though.

But like Leafman mentioned, Kessel is battling and fighting a lot more this year (which maybe wasn't the case in the past), which is a key reason for his success so far.
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If the "most skilled" player in the NHL is not the "best player" in the NHL, then he must be lazy. Otherwise, the statement doesn't make sense.
 
acescanuck said:
I bet that he was the most frustrating player to coach for a number of coaches.
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There was talk among Leaf fans of wanting him here before he signed in Montreal. I, for one, am certainly glad we didn't.
One good bodycheck, and he was nothing but a floater for the rest of the game.
 
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