Editor In Leaf
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Toronto Maple Leafs Phil Kessel, the Little Engine that Couldn’t

By Bruce Harte Ashley

Jun 5, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Phil Kessel (81) reacts against the Nashville Predators in the third period in game four of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Phil Kessel (81) reacts against the Nashville Predators in the third period in game four of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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 Phil Kessel, formerly of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion!

Selected 5th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2006 draft, star winger Phil Kessel, never seemed to fit in with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"A year ago, many hockey insiders believed Phil Kessel could have challenged phenom Sidney Crosby to be the top pick in the 2005 Entry had he been eligible.nhl.com"

After three seasons skating with the Bruins while scoring 66 goals and totaling 126 points he was shipped to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a blockbuster trade September 2009. Phil Kessel, the newest savior of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not!

Phil Kessel is a scoring machine and all he did while in Toronto was score and score some more. 181 goals, 213 assists, 394 points in 446 games. A .883 ppg. average over his six seasons. He led the Leafs every year in goals, assists, and points. That is a star. A top player in the NHL. Yet in Toronto, it was never enough. “Too fat, not tough enough, doesn’t hit, eats hot dogs” and God forbid, he goes golfing and fishing and not train hard each summer. As a result, the of two first round picks turned into Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton, everyone blamed Phil Kessel.

Phil Kessel was a Star for the Toronto Maple Leafs

How can any fan of Toronto Maple Leafs not appreciate his talent? The effortless stride. Taking a pass on the fly, beating a defender with his élite speed while letting go a rocket from the dot; every goaltender trembled. Not tough enough? Phil has not missed a game in the last seven seasons.; five with the Leafs, two more with the Penguins. 574 straight games played. That is a tough player. The NHL is a rough league. While the opposition hacks and whacks, he scored. It was not enough.

Due to season after season of Toronto Maple Leafs failures, in addition to one playoff appearance in the strike-shortened 2012-13 season. Because of the painful game seven loss to Boston, it is Kessel’s fault. He scored 4 goals, 6 points in seven games while elevating his play during that series. He was the Leafs best player, their only star yet it wasn’t enough. Three coaches, two GM’s, different linemates, different teammates. It is Kessel’s fault.

The media needed a scapegoat. The knives came out. Let’s blame Kessel… “He is not a leader, too fat, not tough enough, doesn’t hit, eats hot dogs”

Redemption for Phil the Thrill

Brendan Shanahan inherited a mess.  The Toronto Maple Leafs needed wholesale changes. The players at war with the media and the fans. The names on the back of each jersey more important than the crest on the front yet Shanahan understood Phil Kessel was his only star player. To fix the mediocrity mindset infecting the team, it was necessary to burn it down to the ground and start again. His greatest asset was Phil Kessel.

After firing his entire management and coaching staff he then traded his star to the Pittsburgh Penguins agreeing to assume $1.2 million per season for the remainder of his contract. With the Penguins Phil Kessel is “just a guy” not “The Guy”. That title belongs to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. They are “The Guys” No one In Pittsburgh cares if “He is not a leader, too fat, not tough enough, doesn’t hit, eats hot dogs.” No Pittsburgh Penguins fan or media outlet cares if he spends every day each summer golfing and fishing. All the fans care about is Phil Kessel; the missing piece that helped the Penguins win their latest two Stanley Cups.

A Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion

As a die-hard fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, I was saddened by the trade because I understood the necessity. Shanahan’s star had to go yet deep down, I am thrilled that Kessel found his niche.

"I never loved Phil Kessel—as a hockey player, that is. He didn’t play my style. His game wasn’t mine. Simple as that.Quinn MacKeen mapleleafshotstove.com"

Phil Kessel isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, however, he is a star player in the NHL. He was never my favorite Toronto Maple Leafs player yet I always appreciated his talent. And Kessel has talent. Kessel scores goals and he is now a two-time Stanley Cup Champion. Phil never received the respect or achieved the team success he deserved while skating for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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I want to wish Phil the Thrill Kessel heartfelt congratulations as a two-time Stanley Cup Champion. Phil, after what you endured during your time in Toronto, you have earned it.

all stats: eliteprospects.com hockeydb.com

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