Colin Dambrauskas: Is Phil Kessel Finally "That" Player?

Colin Dambrauskas: Is Phil Kessel Finally "That" Player?
- Colin_Dambrauskas

No, hes still a couch potato

He's my kinda player.

wasint he always a player

His two way and passing game has been underrated for the past couple years. The top line of Phil, Bozie and JVR is still a relatively young line, can only see them getting better. Sure he's not all that physical, but not too many 30+ a year goal scorers are. Thank you Kessel

If anybody, including Burke thought Kessel would be the complete package, then they aren't as smart as I am. That being said, he's a (frank)ing G. He's finally at that level that is scary for other teams whenever the guy touches the puck. We are glued to the screen when he starts taking it up the wing because we know he can make something out of little to nothing. He'll never win a Selke, but that's not what he's wanted to do. He's paid the big bucks for offence. I think he's (frank)ing awesome, and I'm pretty friggin' smart.

If anybody, including Burke thought Kessel would be the complete package, then they aren't as smart as I am. That being said, he's a (frank)ing G. He's finally at that level that is scary for other teams whenever the guy touches the puck. We are glued to the screen when he starts taking it up the wing because we know he can make something out of little to nothing. He'll never win a Selke, but that's not what he's wanted to do. He's paid the big bucks for offence. I think he's (frank)ing awesome, and I'm pretty friggin' smart.
- weirdoh

The best way to look at it is this:

If someone were to offer the Leafs 2 first round picks and an additional second today, they don't even let that GM finish his sentence before hanging up the phone.

The best way to look at it is this:

If someone were to offer the Leafs 2 first round picks and an additional second today, they don't even let that GM finish his sentence before hanging up the phone.
- mcleafs

what if its a 1st overall?

The best way to look at it is this:

If someone were to offer the Leafs 2 first round picks and an additional second today, they don't even let that GM finish his sentence before hanging up the phone.
- mcleafs

and what if that 1st overall was connor mcdavid

what if its a 1st overall?
- xXwagzXx

Nail Yakupov.

You just don't give up a proven talent that is still young and getting better for potential. Any potential.

EDIT: McDavid is no guarantee either, no matter the prospect.

Nail Yakupov.

You just don't give up a proven talent that is still young and getting better for potential. Any potential.

EDIT: McDavid is no guarantee either, no matter the prospect.
- mcleafs

The hypotheticals will kill you. I mean, what if it was for Crosby, Malkin and somebody else?

If anybody, including Burke thought Kessel would be the complete package, then they aren't as smart as I am. That being said, he's a (frank)ing G. He's finally at that level that is scary for other teams whenever the guy touches the puck. We are glued to the screen when he starts taking it up the wing because we know he can make something out of little to nothing. He'll never win a Selke, but that's not what he's wanted to do. He's paid the big bucks for offence. I think he's (frank)ing awesome, and I'm pretty friggin' smart.
- weirdoh

That's why I always state, in my opinion there are few players I would trade for Kessel - not because I think he is more talented...because he is so entertaining to watch, and hockey is entertainment. He is a legitimate game changer and I think he's handsom....er awesome.

Hopefully he hits 90 points this year ..

The hypotheticals will kill you. I mean, what if it was for Crosby, Malkin and somebody else?
- weirdoh

No deal.

6-1 Leafs!

Colin Dambrauskas: Is Phil Kessel Phinally "That" Phlayer?
- Colin_Dambrauskas

Nice alliteration!

Nail Yakupov.

You just don't give up a proven talent that is still young and getting better for potential. Any potential.

EDIT: McDavid is no guarantee either, no matter the prospect.
- mcleafs

ya but i drafted mcdavid in my nhl14 and he is a beast

so i would do kessel for him straight up

Nice alliteration!
- 1979AD

Colin Dambrauskas: Is Phil Kessel Finally "That" Player?
- Colin_Dambrauskas

Elite

Phil is starting to be one of those players who is worth the price of admission....anywhere but Toronto

- Woderwick

I hope Lums isn't pissed. If watching 4+ seasons of Breaking Bad has taught me anything it's not to piss of chemistry nerds.

Lots of Kessel love in the replies... I'm not one that joins the group though.

Phil is good. Phil has an awesome shot. Phil is still one dimentional.

It's funny, one of the commentors mentioned that:

We are glued to the screen when he starts taking it up the wing because we know he can make something out of little to nothing.

I, on the other hand, believe that Phil has 2 moves when he starts taking it up the wing. Either he pulls up along the boards just over the blue line and waits for the trailer to come down the middle to pass the puck off to or he takes a wrist shot from outside of the face-off circle. He doesn't have the guts to take it to the net and every defenseman knows it.

Another commentor said that:

He is a legitimate game changer

Again, not a reality. Phil doesn't make anyone around him better. He isn't a leader at all. He disappears against tougher teams. He doesn't compare to Crosby, Getzlaf, Ovechkin, Stamkos. Yes, he can put the puck in the net when he is open or when others do all the work for him, I'll give him that, but he definitely isn't and will never be the cornerstone of a team.

Personally I wish the Leafs had traded him at the trade deadline last year for a player, top prospect and a first round pick instead of signing him to such an outrageous contract. The Leafs may not have been in contention for a wildcard spot this year without him but they would be better off in years to come without Phil tying up $8mil a year.

Lots of Kessel love in the replies... I'm not one that joins the group though.

Phil is good. Phil has an awesome shot. Phil is still one dimentional.

It's funny, one of the commentors mentioned that:
I, on the other hand, believe that Phil has 2 moves when he starts taking it up the wing. Either he pulls up along the boards just over the blue line and waits for the trailer to come down the middle to pass the puck off to or he takes a wrist shot from outside of the face-off circle. He doesn't have the guts to take it to the net and every defenseman knows it.

Another commentor said that:
Again, not a reality. Phil doesn't make anyone around him better. He isn't a leader at all. He disappears against tougher teams. He doesn't compare to Crosby, Getzlaf, Ovechkin, Stamkos. Yes, he can put the puck in the net when he is open or when others do all the work for him, I'll give him that, but he definitely isn't and will never be the cornerstone of a team.

Personally I wish the Leafs had traded him at the trade deadline last year for a player, top prospect and a first round pick instead of signing him to such an outrageous contract. The Leafs may not have been in contention for a wildcard spot this year without him but they would be better off in years to come without Phil tying up $8mil a year.
- jack_oat67

Yet, he's second in the league in goals. What does it matter if every d-man knows what he's going to do?

Do you think D don't know that Ovechkin is almost always going to curl and try to snap a shot on net through their legs? Or that Stamkos is beside the net on the PP already on one knee and waiting for that cross-crease one-timer?

JVR is on pace to eclipse his career best season by 20+ pts. Tyler Bozak has 32 points in 36 games.

Got any other arguments - preferrably valid?