And that confirms that it is 100% his equipment and not his complete inability to do one like some are arguing.
- jfkst1

How does it confirm that it's his equipment??? Presumably he's using the same "wet noodle" stick in those videos that he's using now so it does without a doubt is prove that him using his current stick doesn't make him incapable of 1-ttiming a puck.

why the hate for the rags fan? all you doing is just reinforcing the notion that pens fans are bumholes...

why the hate for the rags fan? all you doing is just reinforcing the notion that pens fans are bumholes...
- martox

I don't see the problem here

So... good luck being a coach and putting the high priced Kessel on the 2nd unit. Not that that doesn't make sense, but if it doesn't work right away, its one of those career suicide moves.
- Guile

Do you think asking a player to switch pp units to the lesser unit would be easier or more difficult than asking him to change his equipment and playing style he has played with his entire career? I have to think a move to the 2nd pp unit would be a much easier sell than trying to sell him on changing his equipment and style, the later could also be a career suicide move if it completely destroys the player you pay 6.8M/year and gave up 3 assets for in a trade.

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

Not a team... he needs to be the main piece on his line. Put him with a couple of finishers, let him carry the puck most of the time, and he'll be PPG no problem.

why the hate for the rags fan? all you doing is just reinforcing the notion that pens fans are bumholes...
- martox

If he wants to bring up the Pens losing he can accept his own franchise's shortcomings. Scum Rags fans are the biggest trolls on HB.

How does it confirm that it's his equipment??? Presumably he's using the same "wet noodle" stick in those videos that he's using now so it does without a doubt is prove that him using his current stick doesn't make him incapable of 1-ttiming a puck.
- jaydogg1974

If he's able to do it with a stick that isn't designed for that purpose at all he can certainly do it with a stick that has a greater purpose for that.

Did anyone else see Yohe's article containing his conversation with Dubinsky, Boll and Tortorella? It was a good glimpse at the complete lack of respect they have for Sestito's comments and how his comments and him being on the bench will have ZERO effect of how they gameplan and play Crosby.

Im not complaining about Letang dips!it. Just saying he has a lot of talent and a 1 timer isn't one of them.

Crying about Kessel not being able to 1 time and a bunch of nerds using charts suggesting he use a stiffer stick is about the dumbest thing. He's never been good at it. Its like asking Mccutcheon to be a better HR hitter. Not his game bro.
- sammy87

So why bring up Letang not being good at one timers. Not his game bro.

Put him on the 2nd PP and have it run through him. Give him some scrubs and he will get it back.

As for changing the stick? It's a mental thing. His stick is fine.
- bryant

So which right hand shot do we put on the top powerplay? Bennett? Fehr? Rust?

If he's able to do it with a stick that isn't designed for that purpose at all he can certainly do it with a stick that has a greater purpose for that.
- jfkst1

I'm not sure I follow the logic on this, your now conceding that he IS capable of shooting a 1-timer with his current stick that isn't really designed for that type of shot but you're still suggesting that he should switch to a stick that he isn't comfortable with but is more suited to 1-timers because it would make the fans & bloggers feel better about the situation?

So why bring up Letang not being good at one timers. Not his game bro.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

you're pretty dense.

you're pretty dense.
- sammy87

Good comeback.

So which right hand shot do we put on the top powerplay? Bennett? Fehr? Rust?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Actually Fehr has shown success there when with Washington... but I don't think his shot is back after that elbow surgery yet, and don't know where he is after this last injury. We have young kids, Kunitz can always return to the top PP... we do have a number of options.

So why bring up Letang not being good at one timers. Not his game bro.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

It's not Kessel's game either but when now had 2 days of discussion, a full blog and 100's of comments on Kessel not being good at it. Letang's becomes relevant to the conversation because the supporters of Kessel changing stick bring up that ever NHL player should be at least competent at shooting 1-timers, defenseman actually use 1-timers far more often than forwards as well.

I'm not sure I follow the logic on this, your now conceding that he IS capable of shooting a 1-timer with his current stick that isn't really designed for that type of shot but you're still suggesting that he should switch to a stick that he isn't comfortable with but is more suited to 1-timers because it would make the fans & bloggers feel better about the situation?
- jaydogg1974

I never believed that he wasn't physically capable of performing a one timer like some claimed. I assumed it was because his stick makes it too inefficient to perform. Ergo, a different stick would make that skill more efficient. And IF he is gonna stay on the 1PP in that configuration he has to be able to one time the puck. That's completely illogical to have a player with such an egregious technical flaw in that position.

Good comeback.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I dont really like to put down the mentally challenged that can't grasp the basic concept of comparing 2 talented players that struggle with a particular skill.

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

Kessel is no Iginla. He doesn't deserve the respect Iginla does. You don't mold a team around Kessel. He's not competitive. Doesn't play hard. He's lazy and a floater and im glad we managed to get a great return for him. Try getting that return now!

Kessel is no Iginla. He doesn't deserve the respect Iginla does. You don't mold a team around Kessel. He's not competitive. Doesn't play hard. He's lazy and a floater and im glad we managed to get a great return for him. Try getting that return now!
- domi_legend

Yes, he's still better than any player on the Leafs. Get the F outta here troll.

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 it looks like we're getting a first, so yeah. It'll be 16th-18th overall. So thats good. Id argue that Kapanen is more than just a "B grade prospect"... He was the number one European ranked skater in the draft, ahead of Nylander. He's been great this year, especially since that gold medal winning goal in the WJs. And we got a 2nd for Spaling. Most importantly we managed to get fatso off of our team, far away from our young guys. I mean think of them having Kessel as their role model LOL.

Yes, he's still better than any player on the Leafs. Get the F outta here troll.
- MattStrat

Kessel is terrible. How our management suckered you into taking him, I have no idea. Kessel was the last thing you guys needed.

7 more years!

Well it looks like we're getting a first, so yeah. It'll be 16th-18th overall. So thats good. Id argue that Kapanen is more than just a "B grade prospect"... He was the number one European ranked skater in the draft, ahead of Nylander. He's been great this year, especially since that gold medal winning goal in the WJs. And we got a 2nd for Spaling. Most importantly we managed to get fatso off of our team, far away from our young guys. I mean think of them having Kessel as their role model LOL.
- domi_legend

Yeah he's been great this year. Called up for 4 games, 0 goals, 0 assists and then sent back down. Now normally that wouldnt be a big deal but the fact the Leafs are pretty much rolling lines of prospects and still sent him down says quite a bit about where he's at right now.

Kessel is terrible. How our management suckered you into taking him, I have no idea. Kessel was the last thing you guys needed.

7 more years!
- domi_legend

As terrible as he might be...he's still better than anyone on the Leafs. Its a funny thing, a Leafs fan thinking he knows what a hockey team needs. Especially one that thinks Tie Domi is a legend.

Kessel is terrible. How our management suckered you into taking him, I have no idea. Kessel was the last thing you guys needed.

7 more years!
- domi_legend

It really shouldn't take 7 more years of rebuilding before the Leafs make the playoffs again. But maybe...

Yeah he's been great this year. Called up for 4 games, 0 goals, 0 assists and then sent back down. Now normally that wouldnt be a big deal but the fact the Leafs are pretty much rolling lines prospects and still sent him down says quite a bit about where he's at right now.
- MattStrat

The kids that will be staying up are 22+. Kapanen is 19. Nylander will be sent back down in a couple of days. Let them win a championship with the Marlies. Kapanen was very impressive during his 4 game run and has been awesome on the marlies. We'll see what happens...