I came here for the Kessel gifs...

I could care less about his stick. His compete and battle level is awful. My 7th grade nephew could steal the puck off Kessel. Trade his @ss at the draft for a 1st, an A-level prospect & solid roster player.
- joescullz

The Penguins didn't even give up that for him, what makes you think the Penguins get that in return.

The Penguins didn't even give up that for him, what makes you think the Penguins get that in return.
- blacksheep1

That wet noodle stick is the reason he never can get the puck out along the boards in his own end. It drove me crazy in T.O.

Here's what I'm not totally understanding about the Kessel situation, when Shero traded for Iginla and Bylsma put him on his off wing it was continual bashing of Bylsma for not using the player to properly utilize his skills, not 1 person ever said that Iginla needed to change the way he had played his entire career to do what was best for the team, now with a very similar situation everyone is bashing Kessel for not changing what has made him successful his entire career to do what's best for the team. Why is no one bashing Sullivan for not utilizing Kessel in a manor that best suits his skill set as they did with Bylsma in the Iginla situation? Why is no one bashing GMJR for adding a player whose skill set didn't match what the team needed? Why is no one bashing GMJR for saying the importance of adding a player like Kessel was having another player that can create his on shot and then allowing the coach to use him in a role where he is to rely on others to create his shot as the did with Shero for not forcing Blysma to play Iginla with Crosby or on the RW? I find it interesting how the narrative has change from a coach many were souring on and a player everyone loved to a coach everyone is in love with and a player everyone was souring on.

I could care less about his stick. His compete and battle level is awful. My 7th grade nephew could steal the puck off Kessel. Trade his @ss at the draft for a 1st, an A-level prospect & solid roster player.
- joescullz

He aint worth that anymore

I could care less about his stick. His compete and battle level is awful. My 7th grade nephew could steal the puck off Kessel. Trade his @ss at the draft for a 1st, an A-level prospect & solid roster player.
- joescullz

So he's still the same old Kessel. I don't think you'll get the return you are looking for. He is on pace for his worst season - including last year. So now it looks like two years on the downswing.

Plus we only got from the Pens
1st rounder(but not really - lottery protected plus you get a 2nd from us)
B grade prospect
Spaling - decent but easily replaceable roster player.

I'd have to expect the return to be equal or lower. Unless you retain salary. That would be hilarious. Every team in the league acquires Kessel - retains salary - dumps him.

Here's what I'm not totally understanding about the Kessel situation, when Shero traded for Iginla and Bylsma put him on his off wing it was continual bashing of Bylsma for not using the player to properly utilize his skills, not 1 person ever said that Iginla needed to change the way he had played his entire career to do what was best for the team, now with a very similar situation everyone is bashing Kessel for not changing what has made him successful his entire career to do what's best for the team. Why is no one bashing Sullivan for not utilizing Kessel in a manor that best suits his skill set as they did with Bylsma in the Iginla situation? Why is no one bashing GMJR for adding a player whose skill set didn't match what the team needed? Why is no one bashing GMJR for saying the importance of adding a player like Kessel was having another player that can create his on shot and then allowing the coach to use him in a role where he is to rely on others to create his shot as the did with Shero for not forcing Blysma to play Iginla with Crosby or on the RW? I find it interesting how the narrative has change from a coach many were souring on and a player everyone loved to a coach everyone is in love with and a player everyone was souring on.
- jaydogg1974

I think OP and myself have been the most vocal against JR, Kessel and the Pens in general for the decisions that have been made. But everyone here is distracted by "what might happen with 87/71!!!" Instead its constant arguing over who lost a game Porter or Kuhnackle. Kessel gets a free pass here all the time. There is an entire blog blaming his stick flex! Never mind that his game is pretty weak, no effort from the dude.

So he's still the same old Kessel. I don't think you'll get the return you are looking for. He is on pace for his worst season - including last year. So now it looks like two years on the downswing.

Plus we only got from the Pens
1st rounder(but not really - lottery protected plus you get a 2nd from us)
B grade prospect
Spaling - decent but easily replaceable roster player.

I'd have to expect the return to be equal or lower. Unless you retain salary. That would be hilarious. Every team in the league acquires Kessel - retains salary - dumps him.
- Allan Bester

Well.. Kap and Harrington.. one B player and an A- in Kap... i think he has real potential.

I use a 75 flex stick...but I'm also like 160 pounds.

Well.. Kap and Harrington.. one B player and an A- in Kap... i think he has real potential.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Forgot Kapanen came in that deal. Sobriety hurts my brain.

Great write up

Always funny when a team make a move and trade for a player who doesn't fit their style of play. I expected Kessel to put the NHL on fire but the so-called 'experts' in Pittsburgh should've known better.

On another note, Kessel must have been trying different things through out the season right? When you miss so many open nets I can't believe he didn't try to play with other sticks.

So, let me see if I understand this, his stick is too whippy for the position that he has been assigned. Playing with Malkin or Crosby puts him in a situation that requires him to be more of sniper than the playmaker he was accustomed to in Toronto.

Is this an analytic problem or a scouting problem that our none of our experts saw happening?

So can the Caps keep playing from behind & get through playoff games in front???

Poor Johno Quick - the poor bastard got bear hugged by Scudsmuffin on the first Caps goal (he didn't release either old Rob, must have liked the feel of raw pad on his cup!! I don't like to knock Scuds but it's pretty funny considering everything he's been through here! Going well in LA though!

I think OP and myself have been the most vocal against JR, Kessel and the Pens in general for the decisions that have been made. But everyone here is distracted by "what might happen with 87/71!!!" Instead its constant arguing over who lost a game Porter or Kuhnackle. Kessel gets a free pass here all the time. There is an entire blog blaming his stick flex! Never mind that his game is pretty weak, no effort from the dude.
- sammy87

The only thing I've ever agreed with you about is Kessels effort. He's very rarely giving 100% when pretty much every other player on the team is. It's frustrating to me. Having said this, if he puts the volume on 11 in the playoffs (if they make it in) I really dont give two poops about his efforts this past regular season. He looked like he was shot out of a canon when the Leafs played the Bruins in the playoffs a few years back.

Thats a great stat measuring the time of puck control before goals and really relevant to scouting. Nice work Ryan!

I knew Kessel was more of a playmaker and speed guy than pure sniper but I'm still surprised by his lack of success this year in his time spent with Crosby & Malkin. I do think they should try a 5 game stint of making him a go to guy on his own line. If he can keep up the same production level with guys like Bonino, Fehr & Cullen why not run 3 really strong lines?

I tried playing with some low flex sticks in the past.... better luck playing with a wet noodle

I understand that flex gets him 30 goals a year, 8 million dollars in the bank.... but it might be time to move up to an 80, 85 like someone who is past peewee.

one timers are out of the question , you cannot take a slap shot to save your life, you cant clear the puck right, you cant utilize one the best passers the game has ever seen in a correct way

In toronto it was fine becaue he was the quarter back starting off with the puck.... well now he is the 3rd-4th wide receiver... might want to change it up

The only thing I've ever agreed with you about is Kessels effort. He's very rarely giving 100% when pretty much every other player on the team is. It's frustrating to me. Having said this, if he puts the volume on 11 in the playoffs (if they make it in) I really dont give two poops about his efforts this past regular season. He looked like he was shot out of a canon when the Leafs played the Bruins in the playoffs a few years back.
- MattStrat

Yeah that was 3 years ago and he had something to prove vs the B's. It was also the short season and his production hasn't come close to that in 2 years.

Thats a great stat measuring the time of puck control before goals and really relevant to scouting. Nice work Ryan!

I knew Kessel was more of a playmaker and speed guy than pure sniper but I'm still surprised by his lack of success this year in his time spent with Crosby & Malkin. I do think they should try a 5 game stint of making him a go to guy on his own line. If he can keep up the same production level with guys like Bonino, Fehr & Cullen why not run 3 really strong lines?
- MacPatty

You can't pay a 3rd line RW 6.8 mil. Kessel needs to produce at a high rate. He simply won't get enough ice time and he won't get offensive zone starts that he needs to produce at his pay grade. He's not that good defensively for the 3rd line either.

I tried playing with some low flex sticks in the past.... better luck playing with a wet noodle

I understand that flex gets him 30 goals a year, 8 million dollars in the bank.... but it might be time to move up to an 80, 85 like someone who is past peewee.

one timers are out of the question , you cannot take a slap shot to save your life, you cant clear the puck right, you cant utilize one the best passers the game has ever seen in a correct way

In toronto it was fine becaue he was the quarter back starting off with the puck.... well now he is the 3rd-4th wide receiver... might want to change it up
- nightmare3020

It was just a bad acquisition. He needs a team built around him, not be an auxiliary piece. Paid too much for that role.

I have to use a low flex stick, I'm short so I chop them down quite a bit. I had a 100 flex and after I got done sizing it up it was like playing with a tube of steel.

I tried playing with some low flex sticks in the past.... better luck playing with a wet noodle

I understand that flex gets him 30 goals a year, 8 million dollars in the bank.... but it might be time to move up to an 80, 85 like someone who is past peewee.

one timers are out of the question , you cannot take a slap shot to save your life, you cant clear the puck right, you cant utilize one the best passers the game has ever seen in a correct way

In toronto it was fine becaue he was the quarter back starting off with the puck.... well now he is the 3rd-4th wide receiver... might want to change it up
- nightmare3020

exactly this

It was just a bad acquisition. He needs a team built around him, not be an auxiliary piece. Paid too much for that role.

I have to use a low flex stick, I'm short so I chop them down quite a bit. I had a 100 flex and after I got done sizing it up it was like playing with a tube of steel.
- sammy87

WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE SO ANNOYING!!!!

While I'm sure that there are challenges playing with that whippy of a stick, but to me it seems like there is a mental element of it. How many chances has he had where he has stumbled or just outright fumbled the puck?

I've played with NHL & AHL players a handful of times, and you can give those guys ankle high passes, half a stride behind them, and they can easily corral them. You don't have the success that he's had for that many years without being able to cleanly catch a pass. There seems to be more going on than just a stick.

FlexGate 2016

Yeah that was 3 years ago and he had something to prove vs the B's. It was also the short season and his production hasn't come close to that in 2 years.
- sammy87

Gotta have faith in your team man, if not, whats the point?