Phil Kessel was in the Conn Smythe discussion in each of the two Stanley Cup winning seasons in Pittsburgh. He probably should have won it in 2016. Phil took some criticism after the Penguins lost to the Washington Capitals ending the Penguins attempt at a three peat. In the most Phil way ever he responded to some of that criticism today. Remember, he didn't speak after the Capitals series.

Phil Kessel on his playoff performance: "I don’t even remember. I probably had around a point a game, right? That’s not that bad, is it?"

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) September 16, 2018

That's his way of telling the critics to get bent. He also dismissed the rift between him and his head coach

Kessel on the perception there was a rift between him and Sullivan: "I think some people make issues that aren’t there. It is what it is."

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) September 16, 2018

Phil also talked about the trade rumors

Kessel in response to a question on how strongly fans reacted to stories suggesting he could've been moved this summer: "The fans have been great to me my years here and we've had some good years here. I love them. They've always been supportive and they're great fans here."

— Angie (@acarducci) September 16, 2018

So there it is. We finally heard from Phil a few months after all of these rumors and stories were swirling.

Thanks for reading!

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