Comments on: Breaking Down the Kessel Trade

By: Leah Blasko

Leah Blasko — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 18:40:36 +0000

I think the reason Kessel came so cheap has nothing to do with him not being as good as he was valued, it’s the few teams he would accept a trade to that made the difference. Kessel was able to say I want to go to X team or Y team and the Leafs, if they wanted to really start their rebuild, had to do that. They couldn’t pull a Chicago and ship him to Columbus like the Hawks did with Saad.

By: Kevin Creagh

Kevin Creagh — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 18:31:12 +0000

Alex, thanks for the comment. You’re the first person I’ve heard refer to Kessel’s speed as average or a bit better than average. All accounts and my own personal few times seeing him is that he is a top-tier in terms of speed.
I also have some concerns about his effort, but I think he gave up on a terrible, awful, no good Leafs team. His +/- was not -34 bad at any point in his previous years. He’s not winning the Selke anytime soon, but I think he just gave up.

I’m hearing that Kessel wants to be a “9 to 5” guy and just show up to the rink, shoot some pucks, get a goal, go home. Doesn’t want to be a leader, but he’s been paid by teams to act as one. He doesn’t have to do that here.

I’m not expecting a miracle, but if he scores 35-40, keeps his surly attitude in check, and gets the team deep in the playoffs…

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:35:29 +0000

Hey. Don’t get too excited.

You should be somewhat suspicious of how low-cost it was to get Kessel. He will drill a hole in the bottom of the boat to escape when the ship is going through rough seas. He rarely showed up this season and was dreadful. A plus-minus of -34 is an amazingly bad stat.

Yes Bozek is not a first-line center, but not for lack of offensive skills. Like Kessel, he becomes invisible in the defensive end and is no leader. But he was pretty good at setting up Kessel. So I just think Kessel won’t make a big jump in goals in Pittsburgh, because he was being set up pretty well. He was the Leafs’ only offensive weapon really.

At best, this works for a season or two in Pittsburgh. Kessel has one outstanding skill, to fool the goalie with a quick flick before his shot. He camouflages his shot really well. His speed is average or a bit better than average. The Leafs let him loaf a lot at the offensive blue line.