Yeah I saw that too. I don't think Kessel is too complicated a fellow in that he wears his heart on his sleeve. Anyone who has heard him in an interview can see doesn't have the capability to hide his feelings. I think he is almost like some sort of idiot savant who just happens to be great at hockey. Don't look to him to be the embodiment of a sportman though.
Kessel also shakes his head everytime he misses on a shot. I think that's just him.
Besides, when I'm wide open in the slot, eight feet away, and my linemate takes a shot from the corner, that 99.9% of the time doesn't amount to anything, I'd shake my head too.
I'll say it again, everything will be fine once Blake realizes that Kessel is a sniper and he wishes he were one.
I think he is almost like some sort of idiot savant who just happens to be great at hockey.
wow
Seriously though, I'm not terribly concerned about it yet, but seeing him so demonstrative towards Blake's decisions in only his second game has me on watch. What I find ironic about it all is that he himself is a shoot first pass 10th kinda player himself.
Seriously though, I'm not terribly concerned about it yet, but seeing him so demonstrative towards Blake's decisions in only his second game has me on watch. What I find ironic about it all is that he himself is a shoot first pass 10th kinda player himself.
Ya, but he actually has an elite shot, and doesn't aim for the goalie's midsection all the time.
a) creating the two best chances of the night with beautiful passes - Blake's breakaway and Komi all alone in the slot
b) ripping a beauty shot off the post, just missing the net on chance in close, scoring a goal, and making the screen creating the rebound for Blake's game winning goal
c) a number of beauty backchecks including easily nullifying what looked like a dangerous 2-on-1, and
d) creating tons of forechecking pressure and forcing turnovers deep in their zone all night.
"Junk"
a) The best chance of the game was Luke Schenn to Phil Kessel. He had some nice passes, but a lot of people did.
b) He was decent on that play.
c) He was also pretty bad in their own zone. Blake - Stajan - Kessel basically never left the offensive one. Stajan and Blake take the puck away and move it very effectively. Mitchell doesn't, and they got hemmed for much of the 2nd period when they were on the ice.
d) I don't think his recovery percentage was over 50%. Stajan & Grabovski are both much better centers at puck recovery.
This is true. I like how Blake looked up to the heavens after he scored. I think it hasn't sunk in for him that his 40 goal campaign was a fluke.
My favorite was last year. I think we were down like 4 goals, the game basically over. Blake scored and reacted like we just won Lord Stanley.
If you notice, and this has been the case since he came, his teammates don't react particularly enthusiastic when he scores. I've always found that telling.
What if we traded Stajan + for an upgrade at center.
Honestly, I think it's time for a change with him. I like him and all, he seems like a great guy, but he's been with the team so long in a top six role, and sooner or later they have to figure out he isn't going to be the player they want him to be.
Did you hear Wilson yesterday. He said we have centers that can play, they're just not quite ready. Said Bozak and Kadri. Basically working with what he has now, with the plan that these guys take Stajan's spot. Stajan is SO gone by the trade deadline.
I made a thread about this aways back. I figured a lot of the forward corps are being played just to get shopped at the deadline for picks because we need them, but Burke and Wilson know they have better talent in the minors right now.
Anyone who isn't named Phil or is an impending UFA should beware.
I knew Blake and Kessel wouldn't work out. They both love to shoot, and one is obsessed with consistently faltering wraparounds. Yet, one has the skill to be effective shooting from just about anywhere while the other one has great difficulty burying any chances.
But I was happy Blake scored last night, not for him, but for us.
On top of that, the line needs a big man on the left side, Stalberg, Poni or Kulemin would work I think. They're responsible for the majority of board play and screens.
Kessel also shakes his head everytime he misses on a shot. I think that's just him.
Besides, when I'm wide open in the slot, eight feet away, and my linemate takes a shot from the corner, that 99.9% of the time doesn't amount to anything, I'd shake my head too.
I'll say it again, everything will be fine once Blake realizes that Kessel is a sniper and he wishes he were one.
Thank you Steve!
He's NO different than a great wide receiver or great running back wanting the ball. That's what snipers do as well, eh? Kessel dishes the puck, too, but if he's got a shot he thinks he can make (because he's made them before) let'r rip.
If a problem develops on the line, Wilson better recognize it and make a change asap.
So if you guys lost today, the probability that Howard 'turd' Berger would've wrote another daily "Leafs must get X pts in remaining Y games to keep up with last years 8th place team" article on hockeybuzz would've been 100% right?
Funny, don't see a game report from him tonight
One of you web wizards should write a little web updater for needed pace to 93 pts and email the link to Howard so he can stop mailing in his assignments but doing simple math for how badly you guys are off the playoff pace.
Leafs need to play at a 101 point pace to hit 93 points this year.
Leafs have played at a 109 point pace since Gustavsson returned from injury.
a) The best chance of the game was Luke Schenn to Phil Kessel. He had some nice passes, but a lot of people did.
Nope, the best chances of the game were the Blake breakaway from Mitchell, and Komi all alone in the slot from behind the net from Mitchell.
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b) He was decent on that play.
That was four different plays I just described - two resulting in goals, one resulting in a post.
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c) He was also pretty bad in their own zone. Blake - Stajan - Kessel basically never left the offensive one. Stajan and Blake take the puck away and move it very effectively. Mitchell doesn't, and they got hemmed for much of the 2nd period when they were on the ice.
Mitchell was our best defensive forward in this game, and the top line was the only line that wasn't screwing up defensively all night.
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d) I don't think his recovery percentage was over 50%. Stajan & Grabovski are both much better centers at puck recovery.
Mitchell's the best at puck pursuit, forechecking, and forcing turnovers of the three - and most definitely was the best at that this game.
Yeah I saw that too. I don't think Kessel is too complicated a fellow in that he wears his heart on his sleeve. Anyone who has heard him in an interview can see doesn't have the capability to hide his feelings. I think he is almost like some sort of idiot savant who just happens to be great at hockey. Don't look to him to be the embodiment of a sportman though.
I'd be frustrated playing with Blake as well, you have sustained pressure, then Blake suddenly does a 180 from a bad angle and wrists a shot directly (and I mean DIRECTLY) into the crest of the goalie? If he wants to continue shooting from the bad angles, at least get it down on the ice and let your teammates look for a rebound.
Kessel also shakes his head everytime he misses on a shot. I think that's just him.
Besides, when I'm wide open in the slot, eight feet away, and my linemate takes a shot from the corner, that 99.9% of the time doesn't amount to anything, I'd shake my head too.
I'll say it again, everything will be fine once Blake realizes that Kessel is a sniper and he wishes he were one.
He knows Kessel is THE sniper, but there's alot of pride and selfishness involved, and understandably so because Blake did score over 40 goals the season before he signed with Toronto. He's also alot older than Kessel and has been around the NHL alot longer. He continues to be paid big dollars, thus he's trying to produce like one. Unfortunately, I see very little reason for him not to continue shooting the puck even if they are low percentage shots. I guess the positive out of this scenario is that the opposition won't just be able to focus on Kessel alone.
a) The best chance of the game was Luke Schenn to Phil Kessel. He had some nice passes, but a lot of people did.
b) He was decent on that play.
c) He was also pretty bad in their own zone. Blake - Stajan - Kessel basically never left the offensive one. Stajan and Blake take the puck away and move it very effectively. Mitchell doesn't, and they got hemmed for much of the 2nd period when they were on the ice.
d) I don't think his recovery percentage was over 50%. Stajan & Grabovski are both much better centers at puck recovery.
Stajan's lack of puck control is brutal for a centreman and his 1 point playing 5-on-5 hints at that. In OT of the Tampa game, didn't he back-hand the puck from behind the Tampa net to a Tampa player that lead to the OT goal (I know Kaberle and Komi screwed up on the crossover, but still). And in the Carolina game, he kept losing the puck in the neutral zone when the Leafs were mounting an offensive rush, causing turnovers that went the other way, what's with that?
wow
