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Kessel Should Be Ashamed

December 9, 2010, 12:19 AM ET [ Comments]
Howard Berger
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
TORONTO (Dec. 9) – Phil Kessel has to be better than this. He just HAS to be.

No one expects the talented forward to put the Maple Leafs on his back anymore; he isn’t that type of player and never will be. But, invisible? That doesn’t cut it — not now, not tomorrow, not next month or next season. And, damned well not for $5.4 million of cap space and three draft choices, two of them first-rounders. Really, folks, this doesn’t fall on Brian Burke any longer. The trade with Boston will be debated for eons, but Kessel must hold up his end of the bargain. Right now, he is mailing it in… night after night after night. And that’s on HIS shoulders, nobody else’s.

Burke didn’t go after Kessel with a loaded gun. The Wisconsin native was happy to leave Boston, and thrilled to be showered with riches by the Blue & White. He worked hard to rehabilitate a wonky shoulder and performed with loads of zeal and gusto after pulling on a Toronto jersey for the first time 13 months ago.

Today, only the number on his uniform bares similarity to that player. There is no evidence that Kessel can or will do anything to justify his status as the club’s marquee figure. He has three lousy goals in the past 18 games – a tailspin that resembles the 2-in-24 calamity through the middle of last season. Heck, John Mitchell could do that, and for a lot less money.

If there’s an injury holding him back — something the Leafs are keeping quiet — Phil shouldn’t be on the ice. Period.

Kessel is treated with kid gloves in this city. You’ll hardly hear a peep of condemnation from Ron Wilson, who has occasionally tried to get through to the winger by planting his rump on the bench for a few shifts. But Wilson won’t go overboard, knowing his boss has staked a large chunk of reputation on No. 81. Reporters tip-toe around Kessel and his peculiar disposition, wondering if we’ll ever get more than the patented shrug; the pained smile, and the “Aw darn, it has to go in for me eventually” pretense.

Is there any fire beneath that façade? Any legitimate yearning to go the extra mile for the Leafs one of these nights? Perhaps an inclination to take a bit of heat off Burke – who has provided Kessel unconditional shelter and support – by venturing away from the periphery now and then (or at least trying to initiate something from that area)? Is there enough in the character reservoir to generate scoring chances like he used to, even if he’s prone to misfire?

Or, has it all come down to collecting a salary and staying out of harm’s way?

The Maple Leafs’ top gunner has been nothing shy of an embarrassment lately – to himself and management. It’s time he started paying attention to what’s happening around him – the losing; the justifiable disappointment; the call for something better.

If there was a smidgen of evidence that banishing him to press row for a game or two would irk Kessel, perhaps Wilson might select that option. But, what’s the use? Fast Phil will shrug it off; pretend he’s hot and bothered, then go for a Sunday skate once again. All the while being capable of more... maybe a whole lot more.

As such, there's only one place Kessel can look for motivation: in the mirror. If the guy staring back at him doesn’t have more fiber and mettle than we’ve seen the past month, both player and club are doomed to mediocrity.

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