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Entries with the tag: Phil+Kessel
Video- Inside Hockey With Phil Kessel
by Paul on 01/22/12 at 09:58 AM ET
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Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night In Canada with the feature on Kessel.
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Kessel The Story Of The First 20 Games
by Paul on 11/21/11 at 06:47 PM ET
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from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,
Of all that has gone on in the first quarter of this sometimes brilliant, sometimes worrisome Maple Leafs season, the emergence of Phil Kessel as a possible National Hockey League star is the story that trumps all that isn’t Crosby.
His rise to this level — as leading goal scorer, leading point getter in the NHL — for as long as it lasts has been completely unexpected. The tendency is to believe this cannot continue, especially considering Kessel’s history as a streak scorer, an inconsistent performer, and a sometimes less than motivated athlete.
But he’s never had a streak that was this good, this long, this focused, this dominant. He’s hasn’t shown this kind of star potential, this kind of on-ice authority, since he was compared with Sidney Crosby as a teenager.
And the two have never been close since.
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Phil Kessel- Almost There But Never Will Be
by Paul on 11/16/11 at 01:41 PM ET
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from Michael Rand of RandBall a the StarTribune,
The hockey world has been impatiently waiting for Kessel to make the jump to the next level for the better part of a decade, and it looks like he might have finally done it.
This is also why it just won’t happen. This cruel world has determined that Kessel is going to be one of those guys to whom real success and true greatness will just be out of reach and who will be a magnet for misfortune. We may be just moments – and certainly not more than a couple of weeks – away from Kessel suffering a broken collarbone or herniated disc or a moderate case of scurvy. His quest to be an elite scorer will be derailed. It cannot happen any other way.
I can’t say that I hold any serious ill will for Kessel, even though many regard him as something of a bridge between a very successful era of Minnesota hockey and a particularly pitiful era out of which the squad only now seems to be crawling. And when we look back in 2020 or sometime thereabouts, we’re all going to be surprised that Kessel had as good of an NHL career as he did. The numbers will be impressive and there will be some young whippersnappers who will make some noise about how he is a hall of famer.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Video- Brodeur Still Has It
by Paul on 11/02/11 at 08:47 PM ET
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Even though he has given up five goals to the Leafs tonight, Martin Brodeur still shows flashes of brilliance.
note 10:43pm, replaced original video with one of better quality.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Martin+Brodeur, Phil+Kessel,
NHL Stars of the Week
by Alanah McGinley on 10/17/11 at 04:27 PM ET
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NEW YORK (October 17, 2011)— Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel, New York Islanders center John Tavares and Dallas Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen have been named the NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the week.
Each Monday, the NHL will recognize three players who delivered the League’s top performances over the past week. Due to the mid-week start to the regular season Oct. 6, today’s selections were based on games from Thursday, Oct. 6 through Sunday, Oct. 16.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Dallas Stars, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: john+tavares, kari+lehtonen, phil+kessel,
Brotherly Battle
by Alanah McGinley on 09/20/11 at 12:18 PM ET
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From James Mirtle at the Globe & Mail:
What’s rare is two sets of brothers, both on different teams, all coming together in the same game.
Tonight in Toronto, the Maple Leafs will dress Phil Kessel and Luke Schenn in order to get them into the preseason lineup against their brothers, Philadelphia Flyers prospects Blake Kessel and Brayden Schenn, a situation that’s creating a bit of a stir leading up to the game.
Leafs coach Ron Wilson said Schenn requested before the season started that he be allowed to play in this game.
“He was texting, calling me all day, to find out if I’d heard [if I was playing],” Luke Schenn said of his younger brother, who he faced once in the WHL four years ago when they were 18 and 16. “Even though it’s an exhibition game, there’s no question it’s a dream come true.”
More NHL brothers facing off tonight. From NHL.com:
When the Winnipeg Jets host the Columbus Blue Jackets in a split-squad game at 7 p.m., the Jets will have defenseman Zach Bogosian looking to shut down brother Aaron Bogosian, a forward for Columbus.
In that same Jackets-Jets game—the first one in Winnipeg in 15 years—brothers Kris and Ryan Russell will be playing together. Jonathan and David Toews will also share a bench as the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Edmonton Oilers.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: blake+kessel, brayden+schenn, luke+schenn, phil+kessel,
Kessel the Best Of The Leafs?
by Paul on 08/07/11 at 06:03 AM ET
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from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,
An Open Book Exam Question for Sunday morning: Who is the best player on the Maple Leafs and where he does he rank in the NHL? After a lot of shuffling of paper and counting, I came up with Phil Kessel as best player and his rank in the NHL somewhere between 45 and 60 ... Next question: Name the last Stanley Cup champion to be led by the 45th best player in the NHL?
a few more hockey notes…
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Golfing Suggestion for Leafs
by Alanah McGinley on 03/31/11 at 11:49 PM ET
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From Douglas Flynn of NESN, via Tweets:
—Marchand admitted he made golf swing gesture to Toronto bench I spotted as he jawed with Leafs toward the end of the second period.
—Marchand on the golf swing: “Yeah, that was a little immature of me. I shouldn’t have done that.”
—I wasn’t the only one to spot Marchand’s swing. He heard about it between periods. “I got a little bit of an earful. It won’t happen again.”
—By the way, I asked Marchand about his own golf game, and he said handicap was 6 or 7. I’m sure he’s hoping not to work on it for a while.
At The Bruins Blog:
Marchand said that Phil Kessel popped him in the mouth and there should’ve been a penalty. Instead there was a razzing from the bench and then the gesture.[...]
“He’s been a good player for us,” said Julien. “And again, his emotions can sometimes be a positive, and sometimes you don’t want to cross the line. You certainly don’t like that when it happens, so it’s just a learning process.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: brad+marchand, phil+kessel,
Kessel Loves Toronto
by Paul on 02/07/11 at 12:33 PM ET
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from Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star,
Phil Kessel tried to clear the air Monday morning after comments he made Sunday in practice where he was critical of his linemates, and indicated he and coach Ron Wilson do not speak.
Kessel said Sunday that “it’s not working here” — meaning his line with Tyler Bozak and Joey Crabb — but websites Monday morning interpreted “here” to mean he wanted a trade out of Toronto.
“I was talking about linemates, nothing else,” Kessel said.
“I love Toronto, I love this city and I love the fans and the team, I don’t want a trade or anything like that.”
added 2:57pm, from Bob McKenzie of TSN,
Toronto Maple Leaf general manager Brian Burke met separately this morning with head coach Ron Wilson and winger Phil Kessel. His message was the same to the two individuals, who traded barbs through the media yesterday.
“I just told them to, ‘Sort it out with each other, get it cleared up,’” Burke said. “Because neither one of them is going anywhere. I am not trading the player. I am not firing the coach.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Kessel Talks About Line Change
by Paul on 02/06/11 at 03:05 PM ET
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from Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun,
After practice at the MasterCard Centre. Kessel took the unusual step of sitting in full equipment waiting for reporters at his stall to talk about his woes. Separation from his good pal Bozak is clearly gnawing at him.
“Maybe it’s just not working out here I guess, I can’t get anything going,” Kessel said. “Maybe it’s time for a change or something. I’m not sure if that (putting him with Boyce) is it. Who knows? I’m trying.”
When asked if he and Wilson have discussed the skid off the ice, Kessel replied “me and Ron don’t really talk…that’s all I have to say about that.”
Wilson replied that Kessel is not one to share many thoughts on scoring.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Final Thoughts on Raleigh and All-Star Weekend
by Jon Jordan on 02/01/11 at 01:44 PM ET
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The intent of my trip to Raleigh for coverage of All-Star Weekend was simple: Get a feel for the experience from a professional perspective as well as monitor the pulse of the fans, chat up some players I don’t get to see all that often and also those I see on a regular basis in a different element, do some networking and, as Boss Man Paul continually reminded me to do throughout the weekend, have a little fun.
Looking back, that final component is exactly what I’ll remember most about the adventure and my guess is that most that attended All-Star Weekend – be they fans, players, media, league execs, sponsors or those belonging to some other miscellaneous category – would probably say the same thing.
Raleigh, as many others have opined before me, did a wonderful job as a host. The locals were as excited for the event as they were prepared, welcoming, happy and proud of their city, as well they should be. I’d never spent any significant time in these parts in the past but it will definitely be worth another stop in the future.
This being my first big league event, I had consulted with several people who have experienced something of this nature in the past in the weeks leading up to the trip and, while a few cautioned that an occasion of this magnitude could be slightly intimidating at times, I didn’t find that to be true at all for myself and I’m not sure many other first-timers would say otherwise. The vibe, from the moment I picked up my credentials on Friday morning, was light-hearted. At the same time, the entire operation throughout the weekend was first-class. Kudos to the NHL, the city of Raleigh and the Carolina Hurricanes for pulling everything off in fine fashion.
Filed in: NHL Teams, NHL Talk, NHL Business of Hockey, NHL Media | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Cam+Ward, Eric+Staal, Henrik+Lundqvist, Jeremy+Roenick, Marc+Staal, NHL+All-Star+Game, NHL+SuperSkills, Patrick+Kane, Phil+Kessel, The+Guardian+Project, Tim+Thomas,
Video- Was It Predetermined Kessel Would Be Picked Last?
by Paul on 01/29/11 at 08:46 PM ET
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Again, any other city than Toronto, this would be a non-issue.
I’d say some of the media is digging too deeply.
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Tags: 2011+All-Star+Game, Phil+Kessel,
Phil Kessel Was The Last Player Sitting - Do You Care?
by Paul on 01/29/11 at 01:03 PM ET
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This tweet from Darren Dreger gives us Brian Burke’s thoughts on Kessel being picked last in the ASG Draft last night..
Brian Burke suggests last 5 players of the ASG draft should be drawn out of a hat. Doesn’t like negative focus on Kessel.
Now we know how Burke feels, or do we? Last night on Sportsnet…
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Tags: 2011+All-Star+Game, Brian+Burke, Phil+Kessel,
LLL - Kessel Might be Drafted Last Overall
by Shiv on 01/28/11 at 08:16 AM ET
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Leaf Nation will tell you, Kessel does not deserve to represent Toronto in this weekend’s All Star festivities – Grabovski has been the best Leaf this season.
But Kessel will nonetheless appear as an almost obligatory representative for a Toronto Maple Leafs team that really does not have a player worthy of being an All Star.
What will sting the most, however, is this: Kessel is one of the favourites to be the player selected last overall.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Kessel’s Goal Scoring Numbers
by Shiv on 12/30/10 at 08:35 AM ET
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Phil Kessel had a few firsts Tuesday night against the Hurricanes.
He had his first multi-goal game in the last 31 games. He had only his 4th multi-point game of the season, his first in the last 6 games. He also scored his first Powerplay Goal with a one-time slap shot of the season – in fact, it is one of a handful in his entire career, though the Leafs sure wouldn’t mind him doing it more often.
So despite the fact that Toronto lost on Tuesday, Leaf Nation has taken it in stride because the game can easily be a turning point for Kessel’s season.
But before Leaf fans await Kessel’s return to consistent form or rather wait for him to reach such heights for the first time in his career, analyzing Kessel’s numbers yields a different story.
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He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named
by Shiv on 12/14/10 at 09:02 PM ET
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The horse that is the comparison between Phil Kessel and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has been beaten to death. Except Tyler Seguin is the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and he has been named constantly.
But while Tyler Seguin’s name echoes across Toronto relentlessly, Taylor Hall’s does not.
Last year, the Toronto Maple Leafs finished with 74 points in the regular season, 12 points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers who finished with 62 points.
Were it not for the Kessel trade, however, the Maple Leafs would have been the undisputed worst team in the NHL last season.
Why?
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Tags: Phil+Kessel, Taylor+Hall, Tyler+Seguin,
Kessel Or Kovalchuk?
by Paul on 11/19/10 at 11:54 AM ET
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from Mike Brophy of Sportsnet,
So why Kessel over Kovalchuk? That’s easy.
For starters, Kessel is only 23-years old compared to Kovalchuk, who is 27. Also, there is only four more years left on Kessel’s contract after this season compared to 14 more for Kovalchuk. There are kids just learning to skate who could be Kovalchuk’s teammates if he plays the entire duration of his contract.
Also, Kessel may not possess leadership qualities, but I have never heard him referred to as a dog. The same cannot be said for Kovalchuk who often seems disinterested, especially when he doesn’t have the puck.
That much was evident Thursday night. In a game that could be described as life or death for both clubs, even though it’s early in the season, Kessel thoroughly outplayed Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk played 22:50 and had an assist to go with four shots on goal. However, he often seemed lethargic and there was no desperation in his game to get the Devils back into the contest when they fell behind. Kessel, on the other hand, played 20 minutes and finished with one goal—the game winner. He had six shots on goal and hit the goal post on another. He was engaged on virtually each and every of the 21 shifts he skated.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Ilya+Kovalchuk, Phil+Kessel,
Video- Thank You Kessel
by Paul on 10/29/10 at 06:45 AM ET
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After Tyler Seguin of the Bruins scored last night, the faithful Bostonians started a Thank you Kessel chant, which you can watch below.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel, Tyler+Seguin,
Phil Kessel For The ‘Hart’?
by Paul on 10/27/10 at 10:51 AM ET
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from Mike Brophy of Sportsnet,
Based on his performance thus far, Phil Kessel could be in contention for the Hart as MVP and the Maurice Richard Trophy which was introduced in 1999 and goes to the player (or players) who leads the NHL in goal-scoring.
With seven goals in eight games, Kessel is right in the thick of things where the Maurice Richard is concerned. Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Patrick Sharp of the Chicago Blackhawks are tied for the league lead in goals with eight apiece while Kessel, Daniel Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks and Marian Hossa of the Blackhawks trail by one with seven each. For what it’s worth, Kessel has a game in hand on Sedin and two on Hossa.
There are some players that get off to good starts in a season, but you just know they will eventually hit the wall. For instance, does anyone really expect Clarke MacArthur of the Leafs to continue scoring at nearly a goal-per-game pace? Even Sharp and Sedin have both managed career highs of 36 goals in their careers so it would be a shock if they were to challenge for 50 this season.
It is abundantly clear that if he remains healthy, Kessel will be the driving force behind the Maple Leafs’ offence. The 23-year-old Madison, WI, native is on pace for 72 goals this season.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
JJ’s Three Cheers: 10/19/10
by Jon Jordan on 10/19/10 at 07:57 AM ET
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Today’s salute to the performances of yesternight, honoring those who shined in leading their clubs to victory:
***Cheers to Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, who is showing marked improvement early this season and who was named first star in Tampa’s 5-4 win over the visiting Dallas Stars last night. Hedman managed a pair of assists and led all skaters in ice time, sparking an offensive rush on several occasions and, most importantly, playing adept defense in his own end. It is early, as we must continue to note for all who have had fast starts, but Hedman’s growth in year two will play a major factor in the Lightning’s fortunes. So far, with few hiccups, they must be pleased. (Note: They are. Coach Guy Boucher singled Hedman out with post-game praise after the Dallas game.)
Filed in: NHL Teams, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Cam+Ward, Dwayne+Roloson, Joe+Thornton, John+Tavares, Justin+Peters, Marian+Hossa, Michael+Neuvirth, Patrick+Sharp, Phil+Kessel, Semyon+Varlamov, Victor+Hedman,
JJ’s Three Cheers: 10/16/10
by Jon Jordan on 10/16/10 at 01:16 PM ET
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Today’s three cheers (a little late because, you know, a dad’s gotta take his two-year-old to Sesame Street Live every now and again) for the NHL’s top performers from a night ago:
***Cheers to Toronto’s Phil Kessel, whose overtime tally toppled the Rangers in New York, improving the Leafs’ stellar start to a perfect 4-0-0. The OT winner was Kessel’s second of the game and fourth of the season and the former Bruin also added an assist earlier in the contest. Clarke MacArthur also scored for Toronto - the impressive fifth goal of the year for the Buffalo/Atlanta castoff
Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Anthony+Stewart, Clarke+MacArthur, Dustin+Brown, Phil+Kessel, Roberto+Luongo,
Kessel Has Goals On His Mind
by Paul on 06/16/10 at 07:17 AM ET
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from Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star,
On a team historically bereft of big-time scorers, Phil Kessel believes he can achieve what only one Maple Leaf has been able to do in the last 15 seasons.
That’s topping the 40-goal mark.
“I think I can score 40. I could have had it last year if I’d have scored (consistently). I had a lot of chances, plus I missed quite a bit of games,” said the 22-year-old winger as he passed through town for the unveiling of Dion Phaneuf as Toronto’s captain and Tuesday’s opening of Real Sports Bar and Grill, MLSE’s playpen beside the Air Canada Centre.
“I’m going to improve on last year. Hopefully, I’m going to be a better hockey player,” Kessel continued.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Questioning Kessel’s Conditioning
by Paul on 01/24/10 at 09:07 AM ET
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from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,
• Every time I see Phil Kessel bent over at the bench sucking wind, I wonder: How do you build the Maple Leafs around a kid who doesn’t seem to be in game condition?
• This is why the surprising Colorado Avalanche will make the playoffs and the Phoenix Coyotes might not: Of Colorado’s final 32 games, 19 are at home. Of the Coyotes’ final 30 games, only 12 are at home.
• If I’m Vince McMahon I’m lining up John Tortorella and Larry Brooks for Monday Night Raw.
a few more hockey notes…
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Leafs Need More From Kessel
by Paul on 12/23/09 at 09:00 AM ET
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from Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun,
Three games without a point - his worst stretch as Leaf - doesn’t mean a Kessel benching is imminent, but Leafs coach Ron Wilson would like to see more soon from the team’s designated sniper.
“I agree he’s a little off,” Wilson said following Tuesday’s practice at the Mastercard Centre. “He’s not skating, he looks like he’s a little tired. He’s played a lot of games ... that’s as far as I will go.”
Kessel was willing to take it a little further while trying to shake off one of his least memorable nights with his new team. A mediocre minus-four in his past four games, Kessel was held to just four non-threatening shots on goal in Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Sabres.
To add misery to the miserly attack, the winger was on the ice for Derek Roy’s game winner in overtime. Rather than help earn the valuable extra point, Kessel contributed to it going the other way.
“I just haven’t been playing as well as before,” Kessel said bluntly before the team hopped a flight to New York for Wednesday’s game against the Islanders.
“Lately, I just haven’t been the best. I haven’t been terrible, but I know I have a lot better in me. I have to pick it up.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Kessel Returns To Boston
by Paul on 12/04/09 at 07:19 PM ET
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from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,
Good thing for Phil Kessel that Boston sports fans don’t hold a grudge. Just ask Bill Buckner. Or Roger Clemens. Or Johnny Damon.
That Kessel will be booed Saturday night when the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Bruins is a fait accompli. The question is, how many years will fans view him as Public Enemy No. 1.
His exit from Boston was a fascinating one, to be sure.
There have been different tales spun from different camps. No matter whom you believe, it’s hard to know for sure exactly what happened.
For example, one side will insist Kessel essentially asked for a trade during the summer, something the kid himself denied upon his arrival in Toronto. His agent, Wade Arnott of Newport Sports, also said a trade was never demanded.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Hit Of The Night- Ohlund On Kessel
by Paul on 11/04/09 at 07:27 AM ET
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Tags: Mattias+Ohlund, Phil+Kessel,
Kessel Proves His Worth
by Paul on 11/04/09 at 07:06 AM ET
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from Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun,
Now that the all the hype and hoopla are over, here are 10 things we learned about Phil Kessel last night from his Maple Leafs debut—one for every shot he had on net.
1. In recent weeks there have been suggestions that the deal to bring Kessel to the Maple Leafs for two first-rounders and a second-round pick might be one of the worst in franchise history.
After Phil The Thrill’s electrifying performance last night, can we put a temporary gag order on such talk please? It is far too early to make such claims. And, after watching Kessel oozing his raw offensive skills last night, you can see why general manager Brian Burke paid such a heavy price to land this talented kid, who has yet to reach his 23rd birthday.
If the Leafs finish dead last and the Boston Bruins get the top overall selection in a deep 2010 draft, the criticism will be legit. But let’s at least give Kessel a chance to prove he’s worthy of Burke’s risky gamble.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
No Reason To Rush Kessel
by Paul on 11/01/09 at 01:12 PM ET
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from Jonas Siegel of am640,
Phil Kessel is taunting the possibility.
He taunts it with a no-look pass.
He taunts it with a bullet from the left circle.
He taunts it with his bursts of speed.
But make no mistake that for all the taunting possibilities, the Leafs would be simply foolish to rush Kessel back this soon.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Can Kessel Get Along With His Coach?
by Paul on 09/21/09 at 08:13 AM ET
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from Damian Cox of the Spin at the Toronto Star,
Kessel, says Chiarelli, demanded a trade and wouldn’t negotiate a contract, so that was that. Indications are that was indeed the situation, and Kessel’s statement that he “never once” demanded a trade was really just semantics. Whether his agent made the demand or whether his unwillingness to talk contract was a passive aggressive strategy, it really doesn’t matter now.
Clearly, Julien’s coaching style was part of the issue, and so the most fascinating part of Kessel’s career as a Leaf when it begins in two months or so will be how he and Ron Wilson are able to forge a working relationship. Wilson’s a demanding coach, and he can be caustic and pointed in his public and private remarks when he feels it is warranted. San Jose officials make no bones about the fact they believe Wilson’s riding of Patrick Marleau retarded Marleau’s development.
Understand this. While Wilson and Burke are friends from years back, Burke now has more personal prestige invested in Kessel being successful than in Wilson, a coach Burke didn’t hire. The Leaf GM will hope Wilson and Kessel get along very well, but it’s a great deal more difficult to find top six forwards than head coaches.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Brian Burke Introduces Phil Kessel To Toronto
by Paul on 09/19/09 at 06:40 PM ET
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Kessel Trade Has Risks
by Paul on 09/19/09 at 06:38 AM ET
Comments (3)
from Damian Cox of the Toronto Star,
The Kessel trade, of course, fits with Burke’s make-a-big-splash-early history. He moved heaven and earth to land Chris Pronger for Hartford. He bagged the Sedin twins for Vancouver. Now he’s arm-twisted the unwilling Bruins into trading Kessel.
Of course there is risk for the Leafs, but arguably greater risk for Boston, which acquired Kessel through the draft just three years ago as a franchise-type player and may be unable to turn their newly acquired first-round picks into NHL talent.
The Leafs haven’t lost anything tangible yet. The Bruins have.
from Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports,
The Bruins, understanding his strengths and weaknesses, protected him. He instantly becomes the most skilled player on the roster, but the highest-paid one too. In Toronto, that comes with a target.
I’m not convinced that the enormously shy Kessel will be comfortable in the spotlight. A white-hot hockey market is not the best fit for him.
Will he discover the work ethic necessary to become a truly great player? And, can the Leafs find a centre who was as good for him as Marc Savard?
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Report- Bruins/Leafs Working Out Trade For Kessel
by Paul on 09/18/09 at 04:55 PM ET
Comments (13)
added 8:43pm, Since Darren Dreger broke the news, let’s go to his story…
The drama surrounding Phil Kessel has finally come to an end as the Boston Bruins have traded their disgruntled sniper to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 1st and a 2nd round pick in 2010, and a 1st round pick in 2011 pending a trade call which is currently underway.
Kessel and the Maple Leafs then quickly agreed to terms on a new five-year, $27 million deal.
continued and below you can check how this story broke early this evening…
added 10:!6pm,
Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Friday evening that the team has obtained the rights to restricted free agent forward Phil Kessel from the Boston Bruins. In exchange, Boston will receive the Maple Leafs’ first-round draft picks in 2010 and 2011 and their second-round draft pick in 2010. Kessel and the Maple Leafs agreed to terms on a multi-year contract following the trade
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
The Chances Of Kessel To Nashville Are Slim
by Paul on 09/18/09 at 07:23 AM ET
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from Bob McKenzie of TSN,
I don’t doubt the Nashville Predators have significant interest in Boston Bruins’ restricted free agent Phil Kessel.
And I don’t doubt, all things being equal, Boston would rather move Kessel to Nashville and the Western Conference than to the division rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
But here’s why Nashville, regardless of what it offers Boston, is at a serious disadvantage in the Kessel sweepstakes.
Kessel, it appears, wants to play in Toronto, not Nashville. And as long as that remains the case, Nashville can’t trade for him.
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Would Kessel Be Comfortable In Toronto?
by Paul on 09/17/09 at 06:38 AM ET
Comments (3)
from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,
Some won’t believe he’ll ever be comfortable in his own skin, which by itself raises the issue of how will he handle the boondoggle that is Toronto hockey. You can’t hide in Toronto. Some players love that. Some get eaten up by it.
When I spoke to Kessel at the USA Olympic camp, he did seem more grown up. He did make eye contact. He didn’t look at his shoes the way he had in previous conversations.
He will be traded before his Oct. 2 birthday because the Bruins must be under the salary cap by the start of the season. They may even do better in a trade than they would have had someone signed an offer sheet for Kessel.
Kessel will be paid somewhere above $4.5 million US a year, which would entitle the Bruins to a first-, second- and third-round draft pick. The Leafs will pay that much for him, probably more.
added 9:13am, via John Glennon of the Tennessean,
The Predators have offered a combination of draft picks and prospects to Boston for forward Phil Kessel, General Manager David Poile said Wednesday.
“I certainly believe in being aggressive and persistent and going after what I want. But I’ve made it clear what we can do,’’ Poile said. “It’s fairly apparent what other teams are doing.’‘
There have been reports saying Toronto is willing to give up two first-round draft picks and a second-rounder for Kessel.
“If (Chiarelli) gets two firsts and a second, he’s getting really good compensation,’’ Poile said. “But it is all in the eye of the beholder for a 21-year-old player who scored 36 goals.’‘
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
The Latest On Kessel
by Paul on 09/16/09 at 07:56 AM ET
Comments (8)
from Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports,
It’s been reported that Toronto is offering two first-round picks and a third-rounder for Kessel.
One source said that offer is now the two first-rounders, a second-rounder and a player – although Burke denied that by e-mail Tuesday night.
As for the player, I can’t get confirmation, so I’m not going to guess.
At least one other team isn’t giving up hope.
It’s been a four days since Nashville’s David Poile admitted his interest. Since then, he hasn’t spoken to his Boston counterpart.
“Nothing is happening ... I don’t know where it stands,” the Predators GM said Tuesday afternoon.
“But we’re interested. Who wouldn’t be?”
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Kessel In Control
by Paul on 09/14/09 at 09:24 AM ET
Comments (5)
from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe,
For the moment, and possibly well on into November, Kessel holds the cards as a restricted free agent. If Chiarelli were to make a deal with, say, the Predators, Nashville GM David Poile would only give up assets if he is assured Kessel will sign in Tune Town. Likewise, the Leafs won’t flip picks and/or players Boston’s way unless Chiarelli already has inked Kessel to a sign-and-trade.
All signs point to Kessel preferring the Leafs over the Predators, which, if nothing else, proves he did learn something during his year at the University of Minnesota. Decent team, the Preds, but there is only one Toronto (unless Jim Balsillie succeeds in divvying up the hockey mecca).
The dynamic of the Kessel proceedings will shift as late November approaches because Kessel, per the collective bargaining agreement, cannot play in the NHL this season unless he has signed a deal by Dec. 1.
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Predators Admit Interest In Kessel
by Paul on 09/12/09 at 09:07 AM ET
Comments (1)
from John Glennon of the Tennessean,
So it would only make sense that Nashville would have an interest in Boston forward Phil Kessel.
Predators General Manager David Poile confirmed as much on Friday, saying he’s talked with Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli and Kessel’s agent, Wade Arnott, in recent days.
“He’s a young player that scores goals,’’ Poile said, “and that’s very much of interest to us.’‘
added 1:12pm, via Darren Dreger’s Twitter,
Two horse race for Heatley. San Jose and Chicago.
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Predators Should Target Kessel
by Paul on 09/11/09 at 08:44 PM ET
Comments (0)
from Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated,
It’s time to bust the budget for Phil Kessel….
No one’s saying that Kessel is all that separates the Preds from a lengthy playoff run. Far from it. At 21, he remains a work in progress, both on and off the ice. He’s far too predictable when carrying the puck, and far too soft away from it. He requires the kid glove treatment from his coach and a centerman capable of creating his play for him. Bottom line: he’s still got a lot to learn.
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Kessel Draws Interest From Multiple NHL Teams
by Paul on 09/11/09 at 03:36 PM ET
Comments (0)
from Darren Dreger of TSN,
While the option of signing Kessel to an offer sheet remains for the Leafs and the other teams in the mix, the morely likely scenario is a trade.
Sources say the trade offers for the 21-year-old winger are in excess of what the Bruins would receive as compensation if Kessel were to sign an offer sheet. In other words, Boston is contemplating a trade that will return a more impressive package than the compensatory one that includes a first, a second and third-round draft picks.
The Leafs, New York Rangers and the Nashville Predators are the three most aggressive bidders, but at least two other teams are also believed to be in the hunt.
At this point there is nothing imminent, but Kessel’s future is a hot topic in Boston.
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How Kessel To Leafs Could Work
by Paul on 09/11/09 at 06:55 AM ET
Comments (4)
from Damian Cox of the Toronto Star,
It’s believed he wants to join the Leafs and he’s already familiar with Burke and head coach Ron Wilson through his association with the U.S. Olympic program.
But the fact he doesn’t want to play for the Bruins doesn’t necessarily make it any easier for the Leafs to get their mitts on him.
For starters, the B’s can match any free agent offer sheet for Kessel, something Chiarelli has said he would do. The Bruins’ GM is apparently no longer crazy about dealing Kessel inside the Northeast Division, and Kaberle can no longer be included in any trade proposal now that his no-trade clause has kicked in again.
Burke and Chiarelli have held trade talks and it’s believed the Leafs are willing to pay more for Kessel than the compensation required if he were signed to an offer sheet. If a contract offer came between $3.9 million and $5.2 million per season, the Bruins would receive first-, second- and third-round draft picks as compensation.
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Kessel Denies Negotaions Have Broken Off
by Paul on 09/10/09 at 06:19 PM ET
Comments (0)
from Mike Brophy of Sportsnet,
Phil Kessel says he does not expect to play this season with the Boston Bruins, but he has not broken off negotiations with the team.
“I don’t know who is saying that, but it’s not true,” Kessel told Sportsnet.
The Boston Globe reported the free agent planned to sign an offer sheet with one of the other 29 teams, according to Kessel’s Toronto-based agent Wade Arnott.
He admitted negotiations and trade rumours have been unpleasant and the odds of playing for the Bruins are slim at this point. But that doesn’t mean the door is closed.
a bit more and can we please start the season!!!
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Kessel Takes A Stance
by Paul on 09/10/09 at 12:47 PM ET
Comments (1)
from Kevin Paul Dupont of Bruins Blog,
Phil Kessel has made it clear that he doesn’t intend to negotiate any longer with the Bruins, his Toronto-based agent in recent days informing the Boston front office that the right winger’s priority instead is to sign a free-agent offer sheet with one of the league’s 29 other teams.
All of which doesn’t necessarily mean that Kessel’s days in the Hub are numbered.
The Bruins, per CBA rules and guidelines, still reserve the right to match any offer sheet Kessel signs, and if they choose to match they are only prohibited from trading Kessel for the first year of his new deal.
‘‘No comment,’’ Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli responded via e-mail early this afternoon when asked about Kessel’s latest stance on negotiations.
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Burke & The Kessel Talk
by Paul on 09/09/09 at 02:50 PM ET
Comments (0)
from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,
We’ll say this: if the NHLPA pulls its collective head out of its butt before this deal sneaks past, they should be making some phone calls. Considering Burke’s complaints that Lowe overpaid for Penner, thus raising the salary bar for those of his ilk, then the PA should be eager to know if any discussions between GMs involves establishing a perhaps more cost-effective level for Kessel.
In fact, we’re e-mailing this column straight to our choice as the next union leader, Bonnie Lindros.
Burke is one of the most competitive men we’ve ever met. He sweats while watching a rugby game on TV — we’ve seen it.
But does warning a fellow GM that you intend to legally acquire one of his players have any place in the same sentence with the word “competitiveness?”
In this case, might the words “honourable” and “collusion” amount to the same thing?
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Tags: Phil+Kessel,
Who Would You Want On Your Team- Heatley Or Kessel?
by Paul on 09/09/09 at 10:52 AM ET
Comments (6)
from Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News,
Two snipers, one question: Dany Heatley or Phil Kessel?
Who would you take?
With NHL training camps inching closer by the day, there are, by my math, roughly 90-plus goals worth of uncertainty still floating around out there in the unhappy Senator and unsigned RFA Bruin.
Will one or both be wearing new uniforms when the season starts? Probably not. It seems more certain with each day that Heatley will begin the year in Ottawa and, despite some draft pick shuffling in Toronto, Kessel remains a valued commodity in Boston.
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Tags: Dany+Heatley, Phil+Kessel,
Burke Talks Kessel
by Paul on 09/08/09 at 01:27 PM ET
Comments (6)
from TSN,
An animated Brian Burke discussed the rumours with reporters Tuesday at the team’s training facilities in Toronto.
“I do not contemplate an offer sheet to Phil Kessel at this time,” Burke told reporters.
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Chiarelli Says Teams Interested In Kessel
by Paul on 09/08/09 at 05:44 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe,
“Nothing has really changed,’’ Chiarelli said, noting that at least three clubs have contacted him in recent weeks to try to trade for Kessel, who last season scored 36 goals. “I’d like to have him in the mix, but obviously he’s not . . . and obviously teams are interested.’’
Some four months after his club lost to Carolina in the second round of the playoffs, and with Kessel still unsigned, Chiarelli said he finds himself at what he referred to as a “philosophical impasse’’ in regards to signing his third-year right wing.
“While you like to bring along players of skill and youth and keep them in your organization, I also have to be cognizant of other dynamics,’’ said Chiarelli.
Such as a payroll already at about $55 million. Such as a roster that on July 1 will have top scorer Marc Savard reaching unrestricted free agency and young standouts Milan Lucic and Blake Wheeler reaching the same restricted free agency plateau where Kessel now stands.
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Nothing New On Kessel… Yet
by Paul on 09/06/09 at 08:16 PM ET
Comments (0)
from Kevin Paul Dupont of Bruins Blog at the Boston Globe,
KITCHNER, Ont.—Toronto GM Brian Burke and Boston GM Peter Chiarelli, both of whom will be in attendance here at rookie camp on Monday, reported no developments on the Phil Kessel front.
Burke made a deal on Saturday to reacquire a second-round draft pick, triggering alarms that he might be readying an offer sheet for Kessel, a restricted free agent.
‘‘Nothing…yet,’’ Chiarelli wrote via email when asked if there were any news pertaining to the 21-year-old Kessel.
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Teams Interested In Kessel
by Paul on 09/03/09 at 06:59 AM ET
Comments (5)
from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,
“More than one team is very interested,’’ said the source.
General manager Peter Chiarelli didn’t offer any insight on a possible trade.
“I don’t comment on contract negotiations,’’ said Chiarelli. “But we really would like to get Phil in the mix. You don’t come across players like this very often. It’s hard to come by players with this skill. We believe there’s still a lot of growth to his game.’’
Wade Arnott, Kessel’s agent, declined to comment on a possible destination for the 36-goal scorer. Arnott, however, confirmed a virtual nonexistence of negotiations with the Bruins. Arnott said the Bruins made only one contract offer, which was quickly rejected, prior to the draft.
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Is Kessel Headed To San Jose?
by Paul on 08/28/09 at 03:08 PM ET
Comments (7)
from Joe Haggerty of Big Bad Blog at WEEI,
So the Sharks freed up $4.667 in salary cap space while heading into the last few weeks of the off-season, and require at least two more forward spots to round up their NHL roster among the top 12-forwards for next season. It doesn’t take a noted puckologist to assume that Dany Heatley and Phil Kessel are two of the best skill forwards still hanging out there in hockey limbo, and the Sharks have been rumored to be in the Kessel run at several different points over the last few months.
“This trade speaks to the confidence we have in the young players coming up through our system who have earned the right to compete for a spot on this team,” said Sharks GM Ron (Doug) Wilson in discussing the deal. “It also creates some flexibility in our team payroll for potential future transactions as the season progresses and adds two more talented players to our reserve list that can help this organization in the future.”
The $4.667 million in payroll flexibility also fits in roughly with what Kessel was expected to be looking for in a multi-year deal this summer while rehabbing right shoulder surgery.
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All Kessel Can Do Is Wait
by Paul on 08/18/09 at 06:06 AM ET
Comments (2)
from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe,
For now, after logging three NHL seasons, Kessel is waiting to see where his career path leads, along with his pay scale. He remains an unsigned restricted free agent, the sole Boston regular still not to have a deal in place with the season opener (Oct. 1) only six weeks on the horizon.
Kessel, noting the possibility that his next NHL game may not be with the Black and Gold, said he fully expects to have a new contract in place before the start of the season. And although he categorized his negotiations with Boston at a “stalemate,’’ he also said he was not disappointed by the talks between his agent, Wade Arnott, and Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli.
“Because, obviously, it is a business, too, for [the Bruins],’’ he said. “It’s kind of like we are at a standstill and I don’t now what is going to happen, to tell you the truth. I think it can go either way at this point.’’
Asked how he would like to see it resolved, he said, “Obviously, you would like to stay, but you don’t know if it is going to work out in the end. My only thing is, you want it to go sooner [rather] than later . . . you know, if you are not going to be there, [or] if you are . . . it is easier on you [to know] where I am and where to go.’’
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