You're helping my point, these new-age composites suck. Shove a stiff stick in his hands and he's likely golden....like a Bronx hotdog with extra mustard.
- Topshelf Mountain

I think we're stuck with him for the duration, but I'm hoping somehow we can trade him this off season. I've seen enough to know we can't afford to pay this guy 6.8 with so many holes in his game.

He's day to day with a vagina injury
- PeteM

Per EJ:

"He'll miss 20 less games than the Isles goalie due to having a pair."

It just hurts so much beyond words that Hamonic stopped that Kessel shot. I hope Halak is out for the season.
- Dcoms

Oooooooooh that's a no no. That's gonna come back to haunt you.

I think we're stuck with him for the duration, but I'm hoping somehow we can trade him this off season. I've seen enough to know we can't afford to pay this guy 6.8 with so many holes in his game.
- madmike71

Just remember when Kessel doesn't hit 30g this year, he will be 2 seasons removed from his last 30g season.

Sutter>Bonino, but had to move Sutter to fit Kessel

The D is terrible because they had to fit Kessel

No fan base misses Kessel

Kessel plays a full season because he doesn't try that hard

Kessel is a death blow to the future of this team....6 more years!

I think we're stuck with him for the duration, but I'm hoping somehow we can trade him this off season. I've seen enough to know we can't afford to pay this guy 6.8 with so many holes in his game.
- madmike71

I'm fine with him being around, he just needs a stronger stick. He single-handedly could have us in third or second in our division if he nets more pucks. He's obviously had the chances. Somebody has to step in and make it happen, or else you're right, that salary doesn't work.

I'm fine with him being around, he just needs a stronger stick. He single-handedly could have us in third or second in our division if he nets more pucks. He's obviously had the chances. Somebody has to step in and make it happen, or else you're right, that salary doesn't work.
- Topshelf Mountain

At 28 yrs old and has scored as much as he has....hes figured out what works for him, its not anybody else job to tell a pro athlete what stick flex to use. Mario has far bigger things to worry about than each players stick flex.

At 28 yrs old and has scored as much as he has....hes figured out what works for him, its not anybody else job to tell a pro athlete what stick flex to use. Mario has far bigger things to worry about than each players stick flex.
- sammy87

So, you're happy with Kessel. And every other 28 year old in every profession shouldn't have guidance when they're paid 6 million per.

Just remember when Kessel doesn't hit 30g this year, he will be 2 seasons removed from his last 30g season.

Sutter>Bonino, but had to move Sutter to fit Kessel

The D is terrible because they had to fit Kessel

No fan base misses Kessel

Kessel plays a full season because he doesn't try that hard

Kessel is a death blow to the future of this team....6 more years!
- sammy87

1st...irrefutable
2nd...moved Sutter to fit Fehr (Bonino just doesn't fit MS system
3rd...The D is far from terrible
4th...Some Toronto fans have missed Kessel
5th...Kessel's heart isn't the issue, it's his finishing ability.
6th...he's far from a death blow. He just needs to figure out how to play with guys that pass like Crosby, Malkin, Letang.

So, you're happy with Kessel. And every other 28 year old in every profession shouldn't have guidance when they're paid 6 million per.
- Topshelf Mountain

If someone said hey maybe if your stick wasn't a rubber band you wouldn't suck so much, he would tell them to piss off. I doubt he would say, hey thats a great idea, let me try it, while were at it I'm open to more suggestions to improve my life.

1st...irrefutable
2nd...moved Sutter to fit Fehr (Bonino just doesn't fit MS system
3rd...The D is far from terrible
4th...Some Toronto fans have missed Kessel
5th...Kessel's heart isn't the issue, it's his finishing ability.
6th...he's far from a death blow. He just needs to figure out how to play with guys that pass like Crosby, Malkin, Letang.
- cranktheradio

If they didn't have Kessel they could have Fehr, but Fehr sucks this season and never plays anyway.

The D isn't good. Lovejoy, Cole, Scuds were all bad all season.

Never met one

Yes it is, ask a TOR fan. Have you ever seen throw his body around?

8.7, 9.5, 7.5, 6.8...name another team that has so much tied up into so little production.

If they didn't have Kessel they could have Fehr, but Fehr sucks this season and never plays anyway.

The D isn't good. Lovejoy, Cole, Scuds were all bad all season.

Never met one

Yes it is, ask a TOR fan. Have you ever seen throw his body around?

8.7, 9.5, 7.5, 6.8...name another team that has so much tied up into so little production.
- sammy87

IDGAF about his physicality and frankly I think he is better than advertised defensively. He passes and skates well. But for $6.8m/yr I expect a lot better finishing ability and puck handling. His stick flex is my #1 issue.

1st...irrefutable
2nd...moved Sutter to fit Fehr (Bonino just doesn't fit MS system
3rd...The D is far from terrible
4th...Some Toronto fans have missed Kessel
5th...Kessel's heart isn't the issue, it's his finishing ability.
6th...he's far from a death blow. He just needs to figure out how to play with guys that pass like Crosby, Malkin, Letang.
- cranktheradio

I don't necessarily agree that his heart is always in it. He doesn't win many puck battles....and by many I mean none. That's a heart issue to me. I'd be willing to overlook that if the puck ends up in the back of the net when he has a prime scoring chance. Unfortunately I've seen him flub more chances than I can ever remember from a supposed sniper.

A couple games ago I remember Geno rolling his eyes after another wasted beautiful set-up.

If someone said hey maybe if your stick wasn't a rubber band you wouldn't suck so much, he would tell them to piss off. I doubt he would say, hey thats a great idea, let me try it, while were at it I'm open to more suggestions to improve my life.
- sammy87

If he's a pro he looks at tape and realizes that's the problem.

IDGAF about his physicality and frankly I think he is better than advertised defensively. He passes and skates well. But for $6.8m/yr I expect a lot better finishing ability and puck handling. His stick flex is my #1 issue.
- jfkst1

He's never battling in the corners like Kunitz or Hornquest. He lets the play come to him, he's not creating much on his own. He's on pace to finish with about as many goals as Sutter had last year. You really can't defend him. He was a bad acquisition.

If he's a pro he looks at tape and realizes that's the problem.
- Topshelf Mountain

So you really think that he's blind at this moment to what a bunch of posters on HB think? His moment of clarity will come driving home from the rink listening to MM and some caller says hey maybe Kessel should use a stiffer stick and he swings by a hockey store and grabs one? If he hasn't figured it out by now.

He's never battling in the corners like Kunitz or Hornquest. He lets the play come to him, he's not creating much on his own. He's on pace to finish with about as many goals as Sutter had last year. You really can't defend him. He was a bad acquisition.
- sammy87

I'm not defending him. But he is also gonna finish with a lot more pts than Sutter did last season. He deserves criticism at this point no doubt about it. 100 ft player that plays with three of the best offensive talents in the world earning $6.8m/yr needs to produce more. However, my problem with him is specifically his stick. If he shooting at 12% like he did from 2011-14 he would go over 30 goals easily and few are complaining about him. That's what he needs to get back to ASAP.

If they didn't have Kessel they could have Fehr, but Fehr sucks this season and never plays anyway.

The D isn't good. Lovejoy, Cole, Scuds were all bad all season.

Never met one

Yes it is, ask a TOR fan. Have you ever seen throw his body around?

8.7, 9.5, 7.5, 6.8...name another team that has so much tied up into so little production.
- sammy87

Chicago. Kane 10.5 Toews 10.5 Hoss 5.5 Seabrook 5.8 ~32.3 mill = 206pts
Sid and the gang ~ 32.25 mill = 216pts

I'm not defending him. But he is also gonna finish with a lot more pts than Sutter did last season. He deserves criticism at this point no doubt about it. 100 ft player that plays with three of the best offensive talents in the world earning $6.8m/yr needs to produce more. However, my problem with him is specifically his stick. If he shooting at 12% like he did from 2011-14 he would go over 30 goals easily and few are complaining about him. That's what he needs to get back to ASAP.
- jfkst1

Exactly right. If he buries his chances nobody cares about the rest.

So you really think that he's blind at this moment to what a bunch of posters on HB think? His moment of clarity will come driving home from the rink listening to MM and some caller says hey maybe Kessel should use a stiffer stick and he swings by a hockey store and grabs one? If he hasn't figured it out by now.
- sammy87

Right now he's blind to finishing. If he wants to play better and help win games he needs to execute better, or have your clarity-call ring on the ride home.

Exactly right. If he buries his chances nobody cares about the rest.
- madmike71

Where is this supposed elite snap shot of his? Maybe I'm failing to notice those goals, but I have yet to see what benefit that stick is providing. I've seen the speed and the passing but this stick is god damn killing me. I seriously think if he just used a normal stick he'd be a 30 goal/70 point winger no problem.

The fact is Kessel was brought in to score goals when they need it. He has not been doing that at all. He is supposed to be a "difference maker". Sure he has looked good for most the season, but he's being paid to bury those types of goals and has choked consistently. Hopefully he can improve when it matters the most in the playoffs

6th...he's far from a death blow. He just needs to figure out how to play with guys that pass like Crosby, Malkin, Letang.
- cranktheradio

That's totally it.

That's totally it.
- Blackstrom2

Let me rephrase. He needs to learn to adjust his game with other superstars. Guys who put the puck on your stick with speed and accuracy. He needs to be ready for those passes.

Let me rephrase. He needs to learn to adjust his game with other superstars. Guys who put the puck on your stick with speed and accuracy. He needs to be ready for those passes.
- cranktheradio

It has nothing to do with not being ready for them. It has to do with not having the literal tools to do anything when he gets those passes. He'll bust his stick if he one times the puck. And 87/71 play a style that demands their wingers one time the puck.

It has nothing to do with not being ready for them. It has to do with not having the literal tools to do anything when he gets those passes. He'll bust his stick if he one times the puck. And 87/71 play a style that demands their wingers one time the puck.
- jfkst1

I'm almost positive ovi uses a stick flex around 75, and he can bomb the puck like no other. The flex isn't the reason he can't get a one timer or catch a pass