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Phil Kessel

Corn Flake said:
draeko17 said:
One of the biggest story lines going in to this series was Kessel, and would he "show up" against the Bruins.  I suppose I should wait until after tonight's game (hope I haven't jinxed him....yes, I'm a very superstitious hockey fan...) but I'm just wondering how people are feeling about his play against his former team so far?  Has he stepped up his play like elite players do in the post season (I believe he has).  Has he surprised you at all?
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We were worried he would wilt.. he's done anything but that. I put him in a different category now of the best players in the league who rise to the occasion in big games. That goal last night was the biggest of his career and probably the biggest a Leafs player has scored in the last 8-9 seasons.
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It's amazing to see the transformation of this guy since he arrived in Toronto.  I realize he didn't have a great supporting cast back in his first few seasons, but he's really become a complete hockey player now as opposed to just a pure goal scorer when he arrived.  The ability to set up plays, and be defensively responsible now is a treat to watch, he's always hustling out there even on the back check.  If he has a huge game 7 tonight it'll go a long way into cementing him as a beloved Leafs player for a long time.  He'll elevate his status in the eyes of Leafs fans, even those who have ripped him in the past. 
 
Potvin29 said:
Funny how quickly the local media drops the Kessel vs Seguin storyline when it's Kessel having some success instead of Seguin.
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The media will shine a huge spotlight on it if the Leafs win tonight and Seguin finishes the series with 0 points. 
 
Zee said:
Corn Flake said:
draeko17 said:
One of the biggest story lines going in to this series was Kessel, and would he "show up" against the Bruins.  I suppose I should wait until after tonight's game (hope I haven't jinxed him....yes, I'm a very superstitious hockey fan...) but I'm just wondering how people are feeling about his play against his former team so far?  Has he stepped up his play like elite players do in the post season (I believe he has).  Has he surprised you at all?
Click to expand...

We were worried he would wilt.. he's done anything but that. I put him in a different category now of the best players in the league who rise to the occasion in big games. That goal last night was the biggest of his career and probably the biggest a Leafs player has scored in the last 8-9 seasons.
Click to expand...

It's amazing to see the transformation of this guy since he arrived in Toronto.  I realize he didn't have a great supporting cast back in his first few seasons, but he's really become a complete hockey player now as opposed to just a pure goal scorer when he arrived.  The ability to set up plays, and be defensively responsible now is a treat to watch, he's always hustling out there even on the back check.  If he has a huge game 7 tonight it'll go a long way into cementing him as a beloved Leafs player for a long time.  He'll elevate his status in the eyes of Leafs fans, even those who have ripped him in the past.
Click to expand...

He broke up at least one two-on-one last night by hustling back and catching the 2nd man.  I listened on the radio last night so wasn't exactly sure how it all happened..

I think ... dare I say it.. it's a lot like it was for Sundin at first. It took him a while to earn the fan adoration, a lot of it stemming from him being part of the trade that saw Wendel leave, then had to follow in Clark and Gilmour's foosteps.  Mats had critics all the way up to the end but earned the adoration of probably 99% of Leafs fans out there. Now he's in the Hall of Fame. 
 
Corn Flake said:
edit: I think Kessel, Lupul, Phaneuf and Reimer are stepping up as the core of this team that truly can be a contender at some point.
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I would add Franson and Gardiner to that list.  Their play is a big reason why we got this far.  One of them might be replaceable by Rielly I suppose (we might look to moving one of these 3 to get a center?), but for now they are really taking care of business both defensively and offensively.  Both of them have 4P 1G 3A in 6 games.
 
Potvin29 said:
Funny how quickly the local media drops the Kessel vs Seguin storyline when it's Kessel having some success instead of Seguin.
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It's hilarious really and really shows how the media just runs with the "hot" topic of the day.
 
Zee said:
Potvin29 said:
Funny how quickly the local media drops the Kessel vs Seguin storyline when it's Kessel having some success instead of Seguin.
Click to expand...

The media will shine a huge spotlight on it if the Leafs win tonight and Seguin finishes the series with 0 points.
Click to expand...

@markhmasters: RT ‏@adater Boston sports radio ripping Seguin to pieces, says he's getting ##% handed to him by Kessel

:)
 
Peter D. said:
This series clinched it for me that I'd feel comfortable if the Leafs re-signed him to an 8-year, $56-60M contract.
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X2!!!

You are right on the money in my opinion.

I look at recent contracts signed like UFA Parise $7.5, RFA Stamkos $7.5 and UFA Semin $7.0 MIL you realize what Kessel brings to this team with his solid play.

Get the extension signed this summer Nonis for 8 years at $7.0 to $7.5 per year! 

The contract would end in 2022 when Kessel is 35.
 
Britishbulldog said:
Peter D. said:
This series clinched it for me that I'd feel comfortable if the Leafs re-signed him to an 8-year, $56-60M contract.
Click to expand...

X2!!!

You are right on the money in my opinion.

I look at recent contracts signed like UFA Parise $7.5, RFA Stamkos $7.5 and UFA Semin $7.0 MIL you realize what Kessel brings to this team with his solid play.

Get the extension signed this summer Nonis for 8 years at $7.0 to $7.5 per year! 

The contract would end in 2022 when Kessel is 35.
Click to expand...

Yeah Kessel is a keeper, he's not an issue on the Leafs at all, in fact he's the key cornerstone.
 
Bullfrog said:
But we've been told so many times he's not someone to build around.


....complementary piece and all that.
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And after their unimaginable success who could begin to question that?
 
Peter D. said:
This series clinched it for me that I'd feel comfortable if the Leafs re-signed him to an 8-year, $56-60M contract.
Click to expand...

Me too. He may not be the guy you build around (but, really, how many players in the league really are), but he's certainly a guy you build around.
 
Peter D. said:
This series clinched it for me that I'd feel comfortable if the Leafs re-signed him to an 8-year, $56-60M contract.
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I agree. Phil will never be the beast, ripping flesh off opponents ala Chara BUT he's proven this playoff he's as good as any other NHL player offensively in this league. Yes I said that. You can not get those players
in any way other than thru the draft - almost exclusively in the #1 slot - which ain't happening.

Celebrate Phil on OUR team. I sure am.
 
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