Are you talking about 2-TIME STANLEY CUP CHAMPION Phil Kessel?
- mont23

yup.

Yeah and a big product of Letang being on the ice half the game is the rest of the D-men slot down and face lesser competition. Schultz was on the 3rd pair last year.
- MattStrat

As Schultz and Sid and the Kids line continued to develop, I really loved the matchups they could create. Rather then have a shutdown line, they could just put Sid's line and Letang agaimst the other team's best and overwhelm them in their own zone. Then they could come back with Schultz, Malkin, and Kessel and do the same with the second unit. We never got to see Letang with the team once Schultz amd Guentzel really broke out, but I'm excited for it this year!

Rumours are that it's Malkin that has the biggest problem with Phil Kessel. If that is true,it would make it a Phil Kessel problem,and only a Phil Kessel problem.
- 2centz

All is forgiven when the guys are winning. Didn't you see Geno humping Kessel on the bench as the seconds counted down in G6?

True Love right there.

yup.
- W_1

While playing with Malkin his CF% was above 50%. Playing with Bonino, who sucked balls last season, it was below. But overall Kessel was a +24 at 5v5 goal differential last season+playoffs.

Plain and simple, the Pens score more goals with him on the ice than the other team. Add in the fact that he was on the ice for a +59 goals on the powerplay, you're looking at a +83 5v5+PP situations.

Who wouldn't want that from a player?

As Schultz and Sid and the Kids line continued to develop, I really loved the matchups they could create. Rather then have a shutdown line, they could just put Sid's line and Letang agaimst the other team's best and overwhelm them in their own zone. Then they could come back with Schultz, Malkin, and Kessel and do the same with the second unit. We never got to see Letang with the team once Schultz amd Guentzel really broke out, but I'm excited for it this year!
- Tojo.

The one thing I think Byslma ((frank) johnston, that little btch) better than Sullivan was putting Sid and Geno on the ice together outside of just pps. But as you said, given the tremendous depth with the kids, its almost been an afterthought as Sid and Geno on their own continue to wreak havoc. Just wish we could see em dominate together a bit more near period ends

never said i liked ladds contract either......i don't
- nyislsbossy

I have zero problems with Kessels contract because in the two years with him theres been two cups and I feel very confident the 1st cup doesn't happen without him...most likely not the 2nd one either.

In 4 years from now, if the Pens still have Kessel, I wont care about the contract because it was still worth it....and who knows, with his avoidance of the real physical side of play he could still be effective. Maybe a 40 to 50 point guy.

Cups are everything.

As Schultz and Sid and the Kids line continued to develop, I really loved the matchups they could create. Rather then have a shutdown line, they could just put Sid's line and Letang agaimst the other team's best and overwhelm them in their own zone. Then they could come back with Schultz, Malkin, and Kessel and do the same with the second unit. We never got to see Letang with the team once Schultz amd Guentzel really broke out, but I'm excited for it this year!
- Tojo.

Yeah me too

I have zero problems with Kessels contract because in the two years with him theres been two cups and I feel very confident the 1st cup doesn't happen without him...most likely not the 2nd one either.

In 4 years from now, if the Pens still have Kessel, I wont care about the contract because it was still worth it....and who knows, with his avoidance of the real physical side of play he could still be effective. Maybe a 40 to 50 point guy.

Cups are everything.
- MattStrat

Neither cups happen without Kessel. 100% agree.

The one thing I think Byslma ((frank) johnston, that little btch) better than Sullivan was putting Sid and Geno on the ice together outside of just pps. But as you said, given the tremendous depth with the kids, its almost been an afterthought as Sid and Geno on their own continue to wreak havoc. Just wish we could see em dominate together a bit more near period ends
- DeflatedPucks

While we've talked alot about Sheary leading the league in 5v5 pt/60, Crosby and Malkin were both top 5 as well so it was working well for them. Much better than it usually does. I'd like to see it a lirtle more in situations like that, but like you said, can't complain too much while they are both leadimg lines that are clicking that well.

I have zero problems with Kessels contract because in the two years with him theres been two cups and I feel very confident the 1st cup doesn't happen without him...most likely not the 2nd one either.

In 4 years from now, if the Pens still have Kessel, I wont care about the contract because it was still worth it....and who knows, with his avoidance of the real physical side of play he could still be effective. Maybe a 40 to 50 point guy.

Cups are everything.
- MattStrat

cups dont matter, value contracts matter

in seriousness, thats why I am okay with Hagelin at $4M. hes overpaid but you win cups with guys like Hagelin...

I have zero problems with Kessels contract because in the two years with him theres been two cups and I feel very confident the 1st cup doesn't happen without him...most likely not the 2nd one either.

In 4 years from now, if the Pens still have Kessel, I wont care about the contract because it was still worth it....and who knows, with his avoidance of the real physical side of play he could still be effective. Maybe a 40 to 50 point guy.

Cups are everything.
- MattStrat

I see him aging much more optimistically than Gunner. While Phat Phil's goal scoring won't be increasing anytime soon, I am a big believer in his underrated passing. I really do think he will still be effective going forward throughout the remainder of his contract. 50-60 is what I expect.

Neither cups happen without Phat Phil. 81% Agree!

cups dont matter, value contracts matter

in seriousness, thats why I am okay with Hagelin at $4M. hes overpaid but you win cups with guys like Hagelin...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yeah I dont want to lose Hagelin at all. When he's healthy he's a defensive force and unfortunately his injury was a bad foot one, so that severely hindered his greatest asset and what makes him so effective...his skating.

I see him aging much more optimistically than Gunner. While Phat Phil's goal scoring won't be increasing anytime soon, I am a big believer in his underrated passing. I really do think he will still be effective going forward throughout the remainder of his contract. 50-60 is what I expect.

Neither cups happen without Phat Phil. 81% Agree!
- DeflatedPucks

Yeah anything from 40 to 60 points will be fine with me....you just wait and see what 50 point guys are going to be paid in 4 or 5 years from now with cap inflation. They'll be getting 5 to 6ish mill per.

@joecool:

Dude... That might have been the worst take in this thread in a while and you're competing with some real doozies.

Why did Kessel not win the Conn Smyth in 2016? Because of the Toronto media vote. He lost by two (count em') TWO votes if I recall correctly, or some absurdly small margin, and the Toronto media voted MVC (most valuable Canadian) in part because of tradition and in part because they wanted to spite Phil. Do you even remember 2016? Kessel was nuts that playoffs and played a good 2 way game. We all saw it.
- Victoro311

He forechecked well, when hagelin was pressuring with him. In absolutely no way would I consider that a good two way game. Without hagelin with him, what did he do this year in respect to forechecking??

cups dont matter, value contracts matter

in seriousness, thats why I am okay with Hagelin at $4M. hes overpaid but you win cups with guys like Hagelin...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

He deserved every penny winning the footrace against Pk "(frank)" Subban

I see him aging much more optimistically than Gunner. While Phat Phil's goal scoring won't be increasing anytime soon, I am a big believer in his underrated passing. I really do think he will still be effective going forward throughout the remainder of his contract. 50-60 is what I expect.

Neither cups happen without Phat Phil. 81% Agree!
- DeflatedPucks

Same here. I think his PP skills will age well so I don't expect much of a dip. He's probably already no longer an elite 5v5 player. Won't be worth the contract, but should still be an effective player for years.

And of course, we will gladly take on the bad years for the Cups he's helped us win and hopefully can again!

He forechecked well, when hagelin was pressuring with him. In absolutely no way would I consider that a good two way game. Without hagelin with him, what did he do this year in respect to forechecking??
- joecool2931

+78 all situations goal differential.
+24 even strength goal differential.

End of story.

Same here. I think his PP skills will age well so I don't expect much of a dip. He's probably already no longer an elite 5v5 player. Won't be worth the contract, but should still be an effective player for years.

And of course, we will gladly take on the bad years for the Cups he's helped us win and hopefully can again!
- Tojo.

+24 goal differential at 5v5 is pretty god damn good.

He forechecked well, when hagelin was pressuring with him. In absolutely no way would I consider that a good two way game. Without hagelin with him, what did he do this year in respect to forechecking??
- joecool2931

Won a cup! Who cares if he set foot in the defensive zone at all. I sure as hell don't.

Won a cup! Who cares if he set foot in the defensive zone at all. I sure as hell don't.
- mont23

Win games by scoring more goals than the other team.

Kessel had a +78 all situations goal differential, so there's that.

Won't the NHL likely be on a new tv contract for Kessels last few years. If the league doesn't botch that (very possible) then the cap might increase enough that 6.8 for a declining kessel is reasonable value.

And then I look at an inferior guy like oshie getting paid just a bit less and on contract till 39.

He deserved every penny winning the footrace against Pk "(frank)" Subban
- DeflatedPucks

If you enter "subban" in google translate from swedish to english, it says "female dog".

That is true...not a joke haha.

Neither cups happen without Kessel. 100% agree.
- j.boyd919

I think trading Phil talk is absurd but just to add in....doesnt he have the same strict no trade list? What teams would he go to? What would we trade him for?

Doesnt make a ton of sense....

I think trading Phil talk is absurd but just to add in....doesnt he have the same strict no trade list? What teams would he go to? What would we trade him for?

Doesnt make a ton of sense....
- YouMeAndDupuis9

The question is a big IF...IF Sprong can be a 20+goal scorer on the cheap for the next 2-3 years then Kessel has value to trade to address other needs and free cap to sign someone if needed. $6.8 is a lot to pay for a 3rd line RW that doesn't play well with your top 2 C's.

The other players that have some value in a move are either in a position of weakness for the Pens Maata at D or Sheary at LW. I dont think Hornquest has much trade value with 1 yr left and he provides something nobody else on the Pens has.

Pens are weak at LW, C and arguably D.

The question is a big IF...IF Sprong can be a 20+goal scorer on the cheap for the next 2-3 years then Kessel has value to trade to address other needs and free cap to sign someone if needed. $6.8 is a lot to pay for a 3rd line RW that doesn't play well with your top 2 C's.

The other players that have some value in a move are either in a position of weakness for the Pens Maata at D or Sheary at LW. I dont think Hornquest has much trade value with 1 yr left and he provides something nobody else on the Pens has.

Pens are weak at LW, C and arguably D.
- sammy87

Had a +24 goal differential at 5v5 with Malkin this season. You're wrong.

Pens aren't thin at LW with Guentzel and Rust capable of LW, Sheary, Hagelin, Scott Wilson.

They aren't thin at D either with Letang, Schultz, Dumo, Maatta, Cole, Hunwick. Their D-corp is coming into the season better than it was when they raised the cup last year.

They have ONE roster spot that needs filled, and that's 3C. Which isn't that important when you have guys like Sid, Malkin, Kessel putting up 70+ points, Letang and Sheary putting up 45-50+ points, and Schultz and Guentzel putting up 30-40+ points.

Sprong's production is in no way going to replace Kessel's 70 points.