I'm going to go in a different direction with the Kessel talk and say his problem right now, and for the last little while, is that he doesn't seem to have his legs.

Think back to how Crosby was earlier in the season, and then consider how he looked last night. The difference is night and day and the biggest part of that is because of his skating.

To me, Kessel hasn't had that great burst or strength in his legs for a while now. He seems to be just a bit off balance most of the time.

Sticks do make a difference sometimes, but when a guy (NHL player) is skating the right way he could score with a Mylec street hockey stick.
- icedog97

I think its laughable that everyone is blaming his failures on his stick flex.

You're right, he's good for a couple rushes a game. Outside of that he's not doing much. On the bench he always looks gassed with his head down, arm on the boards. A couple games ago late in the 3rd he couldn't keep up with the play.

He will be 2 seasons removed from a 30g season after this one unless he goes on a tear starting now. He turns 29 this year. He's at the age where he has to change his diet, training etc drastically to stay with the 20-26 yr olds. Theres a good chance his best days are long gone, JR bought him at his peak.

Kessel's post game interview was hilarious. Ive never seen anyone so uncomfortable on camera.

I'm frustrated at the guy right now too...but deep breath...Kessel comes with warts but finishing ability aint one. He will start burying these chances.

Also, elevating the puck seems like a team wide problem. How many times have we seen forwards with an open net and shoot it right into the pad? Sullivan needs to run a full practice where everyone shoots top shelf for 2 hours straight.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Kessel literally cannot one-time at pass. Its cost us 4 goals this year, in games that I've seen. If he one-times Sids pass last night we go into OT.

Kessel literally cannot one-time at pass. Its cost us 4 goals this year, in games that I've seen. If he one-times Sids pass last night we go into OT.
- brienstel

Has he ever been known for a 1-timer?

The Pens need this offseason was someone who could bang in goals on the LW PP. Not sure if Kessel was ever known for that. I dont think adding a potential 30+goal scorer with a high cap was a smart move.

Has he ever been known for a 1-timer?

The Pens need this offseason was someone who could bang in goals on the LW PP. Not sure if Kessel was ever known for that. I dont think adding a potential 30+goal scorer with a high cap was a smart move.
- sammy87

I've never thought of a player being known for a one-timer. To me it is a fundamental of hockey. The faster you can get a shot off the better chance you have of beating the goaltender, so logically a one-timer greatly increases those chances.

I cannot recall seeing an NHL player as consistently bad at one-timers as Kessel has been this year (Don't know if that is his history as well, can't say I watched him a ton outside of Olympics and Pens games against the Leafs). It's baffling to watch. When he doesn't attempt it his shots are too late, when he attempts it he whiffs.

Yes he could He could stop the puck in a tight game once more than the other goalie That is his frickin job Look it up Goalie Stop the Puck Not rocket science
- holeinone

Baffling how someone could watch that game last night and target Fleury as a reason for the loss.

I've never thought of a player being known for a one-timer. To me it is a fundamental of hockey. The faster you can get a shot off the better chance you have of beating the goaltender, so logically a one-timer greatly increases those chances.

I cannot recall seeing an NHL player as consistently bad at one-timers as Kessel has been this year (Don't know if that is his history as well, can't say I watched him a ton outside of Olympics and Pens games against the Leafs). It's baffling to watch. When he doesn't attempt it his shots are too late, when he attempts it he whiffs.
- PensFan1103

I'm not a fan of Kessel and didn't think he was a particularly smart acquisition, but the guy is a scorer, you have to believe at some point he's going to start finding the back of the net.

I wonder what the Pens record would be today if Kessel hadnt missed so many open nets, hit so many posts and broke so many sticks on open net shots this year...they'd most likely be in 3rd in the Metro, maybe even 2nd. Last night they would of at least got a point and maybe 2 if he didnt miss such opportunities. The Pens shooting % pretty much across the board continues to be putrid though, not just Kessel. I've been thinking for almost 2 full seasons now that it would have to go up soon...I dunno.

I'm not a fan of Kessel and didn't think he was a particularly smart acquisition, but the guy is a scorer, you have to believe at some point he's going to start finding the back of the net.
- MadCap2008

Im thinking that too...but he will still never put out the effort I want to see every night though. If that guy was fearless and wore his heart on his sleeve every night he'd be top 5 scoring.

Great game last night. This is not the Penguin team I am used to seeing dominating the ISlanders. I dont know what is going on out there but they do not look together. Horrible officiating which usually goes the other way. I am happy with the win we lost Halak which to me is no big deal. If these teams meet in the playoffs it is going to be
insane

Not sure if anyone has seen the NHL.com match report, but it's got a nice photo in it.

Philbo shooting the puck in the final seconds of the match. It's not even directed at goal? The net could have been clear of everyone & it still wouldn't have gone in. Maybe with puck luck it takes a deflection & goes in, but (frank) me a player of Philbo's level has to put that in the net!!! I just hope they go in when we need them to!

Can't really blame Flower on deflected goals, but again maybe a better goalie doesn't let the 2nd go 5-hole??? Power play (frank)ing special teams!!

Oh the paaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnn!!

How was See nothing, hear nothing, know nothing??
- Aussiepenguin

It clearly would have went in.

Im thinking that too...but he will still never put out the effort I want to see every night though. If that guy was fearless and wore his heart on his sleeve every night he'd be top 5 scoring.
- MattStrat

I was apprehensive when we brought him here based on the fact that he is never going to be a "heart on his sleeve" type player. I was opened minded because we didn't give up much to get him, but I'm very disappointed he can't regularly bury those "grade-A" chances. Stunned actually.

6th, 19th , 77th (kessel) , 4th between defensemen 2 points from 3rd and with 10 games less played... the production from our players is FAR from the problem.

toews with his 10 mil cap hit has 47 points at 49th place....

though I CAN agree that kessel has been a disappointment BUT it is not that he is a bad player just his freaking stick. his heart has not been his weak suit here. sure I would like to seee him get more physical but if don't I don't care so much. he NEEDS to test a normal stick. his 65 flex stick just does not work when playing with more skilled players like crosby and malkin. he needs to be able to recive passes and finish them fast. that was what he was brought in to do.
- martox

Why doesn't it? Neal used an extremely whippy stick with a low flex(I believe it was a 75 flex) and he had absolutely no problem playing with Geno and scoring 40. I know everyone is pissed about Kessels struggles(rightfully so) and are looking for answers for it but the stick that he has used his ENTIRE career and been successful with isn't the issue.

Great game last night. This is not the Penguin team I am used to seeing dominating the ISlanders. I dont know what is going on out there but they do not look together. Horrible officiating which usually goes the other way. I am happy with the win we lost Halak which to me is no big deal. If these teams meet in the playoffs it is going to be
insane
- kasperrko

Pens controlled the play for long periods last night. Had many, many opportunities to tie and/or win it. Isles converted on a PP and the Pens didnt. That's the difference.

I was apprehensive when we brought him here based on the fact that he is never going to be a "heart on his sleeve" type player. I was opened minded because we didn't give up much to get him, but I'm very disappointed he can't regularly bury those "grade-A" chances. Stunned actually.
- madmike71

I wish I could say he was just off balance trying to rush that shot as time was expiring....but it seems to be a reoccuring issue.

Hes on pace for 25 goals, if he has a good little stretch and ends up at 30, should we be happy with that?

Why doesn't it? Neal used an extremely whippy stick with a low flex(I believe it was a 75 flex) and he had absolutely no problem playing with Geno and scoring 40. I know everyone is pissed about Kessels struggles(rightfully so) and are looking for answers for it but the stick that he has used his ENTIRE career and been successful with isn't the issue.
- jaydogg1974

Agree 100%. Like someone pointed out, Neal came over and didn't do jack poop his 1st season, I'm not worried about Kessel. This entire season has been an adjustment for the entire team from HCMJ to HCMS to dealing with the usual injuries and AHLers up. I agree that he has to start burying those chances, but I'm not about to lynch the dude over a few missed opportunities. Players have missed opps all the time, Sid, Geno, Letang, etc. they all have the same missed opportunities night in and night out. Just the way the game goes sometimes.

I wish I could say he was just off balance trying to rush that shot as time was expiring....but it seems to be a reoccuring issue.

Hes on pace for 25 goals, if he has a good little stretch and ends up at 30, should we be happy with that?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

15 players last season hit 30 goals. Scoring 30 goals nowadays is a lot harder than it sounds. I'd be happy with 30 goals IF he can net a few and get going. Honestly, IMO, all he has to do is contribute in the playoffs and I'll be pleased.

I wish I could say he was just off balance trying to rush that shot as time was expiring....but it seems to be a reoccuring issue.

Hes on pace for 25 goals, if he has a good little stretch and ends up at 30, should we be happy with that?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

In his first season, maybe. Ive said it many times, I'll give him 2 full seasons. See, I know we're never going to get a balls to the wall fearless player in him but if he put in 40 this year his lack of drive could be somewhat forgiven. The extra goals might of won games for us. It'll also be forgiven if he starts burying must of those, by my estimations approx 35/40 so far this season, missed golden opportunities in the playoffs.

Imagine he worked as hard as Rust.

Didn't Kessel just come off a pretty good stretch? I'm not going to say he shouldn't have put in 1 of those opportunities last night but guys we scored 1 goal. There were a lot of opportunities missed.

The issue with Kessel is actually quite simple and many mentioned it before the trade becomes official and the issue is fit, people has this misconception that if a player has talent he can fit with any team an excel playing with any teammates and that just isn't true, not by a long shot actually. Kessel isn't and never was a fit in Pittsburgh but fans built this facade that if he scored 30 with minimally talented Tyler Bozak that he had to be a lock to score 40-50 playing with the ultra talented Crosby or Malkin, well the fact is that Kessel is a player that excels when he's the lead dog and free wheels doing his thing while the players around him support his play, he isn't a player that's going to excel being a support player that has to feed off the play of the other players. All of his struggles receiving passes and then getting shots off stem from the fact that that is a major weakness of his, he's best at carrying the play and creating his own shot, not shooting from someone else setting him up. I said it from Day 1 and took quite a bit of heat for saying it but the Kessel trade was also going to be a bad trade regardless of the value because Kessel was never going to be a fit with Sid or Geno and paying him 6.8M would make him a poor fit to play with Bonino/Fehr on the 3rd even though that would be his best fit.

Agree 100%. Like someone pointed out, Neal came over and didn't do jack poop his 1st season, I'm not worried about Kessel. This entire season has been an adjustment for the entire team from HCMJ to HCMS to dealing with the usual injuries and AHLers up. I agree that he has to start burying those chances, but I'm not about to lynch the dude over a few missed opportunities. Players have missed opps all the time, Sid, Geno, Letang, etc. they all have the same missed opportunities night in and night out. Just the way the game goes sometimes.
- j.boyd919

Sid and Geno were both hurt long term in Neal's first season If I recall. I'm not buying the "adjustment" excuse. What kind of adjustment is needed when the puck is sitting on a platter for a guy that's been playing the sport at a high level for his whole life.

I can buy into "just the way the game goes", but man has he butchered a TON of wonderful chances.

Didn't Kessel just come off a pretty good stretch? I'm not going to say he shouldn't have put in 1 of those opportunities last night but guys we scored 1 goal. There were a lot of opportunities missed.
- dbell646

Since Sulli took over, Kessel has 25 points in 38 games.

Baffling how someone could watch that game last night and target Fleury as a reason for the loss.
- MadCap2008

It's his MO. He isn't smart.

The issue with Kessel is actually quite simple and many mentioned it before the trade becomes official and the issue is fit, people has this misconception that if a player has talent he can fit with any team an excel playing with any teammates and that just isn't true, not by a long shot actually. Kessel isn't and never was a fit in Pittsburgh but fans built this facade that if he scored 30 with minimally talented Tyler Bozak that he had to be a lock to score 40-50 playing with the ultra talented Crosby or Malkin, well the fact is that Kessel is a player that excels when he's the lead dog and free wheels doing his thing while the players around him support his play, he isn't a player that's going to excel being a support player that has to feed off the play of the other players. All of his struggles receiving passes and then getting shots off stem from the fact that that is a major weakness of his, he's best at carrying the play and creating his own shot, not shooting from someone else setting him up. I said it from Day 1 and took quite a bit of heat for saying it but the Kessel trade was also going to be a bad trade regardless of the value because Kessel was never going to be a fit with Sid or Geno and paying him 6.8M would make him a poor fit to play with Bonino/Fehr on the 3rd even though that would be his best fit.
- jaydogg1974

I was for him having his own line for all the reasons you mention before and I still am. He needs to be the top dog on the line and lead it. If* Bennett could stay healthy I'd slot him on Malkins right and put Kessel on 3rd line RW....and I'd try this for longer than a game or game and a half.

*big if

Pens controlled the play for long periods last night. Had many, many opportunities to tie and/or win it. Isles converted on a PP and the Pens didnt. That's the difference.
- MattStrat

Yeah I know but I am used to total dominance. I really thought that they would destroy the Isles last night

Yeah I know but I am used to total dominance. I really thought that they would destroy the Isles last night
- kasperrko

But the Isles have been so hot lately. I expected a very tight battle and thats what we got. The win could of went either way.