27 May 2013 16:22:01
Why does Nash get a free pass for a very poor playoffs. All the analyst are saying that Chara is just too good and can shut down great players. Kessel put up good numbers in his series vs. Boston. Yet he is not considered a great player. He is also considered too soft but he was able to fight through Boston's tough defense and get to the dirty areas. Something Nash could not do.

1.) 27 May 2013
Kessel is one-dimensional and soft and did NOT go to the corners and you know it so stop acting like people are making this stuff up about him.

2.) 28 May 2013
Half of his goals in the playoffs were from standing in front of the net and getting to the rebound before the Boston defenders, so you can't say Phil doesn't go to the dirty areas.

3.) 28 May 2013
HA, any more cliches? Actually if you actually watched the playoffs you'd realize that Kessel was far more effective (back checking, going into the corners on occasion, getting to the net). While he played the majority of his game on the perimeter, for a so called one dimensional player he was Involved in a lot more two way play than you're suggesting

Typical hater

4.) 28 May 2013
@ 1st comment

You're so right, someone who finally gets Kessel is one-demensional and doesn't go in the corners or in the slot, he takes bad shots from the outside hash mark and at the blue line

5.) 28 May 2013
Infront of the net is also a dirty area, not just the corners.

6.) 28 May 2013
After all is said, it is blatantly obvious that kessel refuses to go to the dirty areas ( oh no, another cliche ) and takes way too many low percentage wrist shots that are easily caught by the goaltender, allowing no rebound. It is fair to speculate that his game isn't about to change. He is what he is!

7.) 29 May 2013
Phil kessel is better than every single player on calgary.

as one dimensional as he may be, he has changed immensely under carlyle this season, he back checks now and actually tries to play defense, something he never really did, or was asked to do.

say what you want about the guy, people said he couldn't be a playmaker, ask JVR and lupul how good a playmaker he is, without a true 1C to boot.

he is becoming more of a complete player ever year, which is the case with most players, is going to be up for the selke ever? no. but he's definitely improved tremendously defensively since he became a leaf.

he's a top player in the nhl, 1st team all star? no. captain material? no. but seriously people need to cut the guy some slack, he was expected to be the when he got to toronto, he's not. but without him the leafs would probably be screwed.

-ovies hero

8.) 29 May 2013
For a guy who is 1 dimensional (Kessel) he sure showed up and outplayed and outscored the big bad Nash.

9.) 29 May 2013
It's Calgary - the bar isn't exactly high.

10.) 30 May 2013
People focus on what a player isn't more than what he is. Kessel is a young player that will learn, all players do.

Kessel's +
--------------
Top Scorer
Powerplay Specialist
Deadly Shot
Explosive Skater
Great Playmaker

Kessel's -
--------------
Poor Defensive Play at Times
Off/On
Not Physical/Get's into Dirty Areas

Everyone, every player is different. Kessel is one of the BEST players in the league, and everyone insults him because of the trade and him being on the Leafs. He has had a better year in the defensive zone, and Wayne Gretzky didn't hit much, you don't have to be physical to play this game.

-JF