That would be great if hockey were all about G's and A's. You are really an average fan and a huge homer if you are trying to put Kessel and E.Staal in the same sentence.
- bureforearthsprez

My opinion is that Staal hasn't bettered or equalled his play he showed in 05-06' as a 21 year-old. Am I wrong?

My opinion is that Staal hasn't bettered or equalled his play he showed in 05-06' as a 21 year-old. Am I wrong?
- RogerRoeper

About that, you are not wrong.

You were wrong, however, when you tried to pass of Kessel as comparable to Staal.

About that, you are not wrong.

You were wrong, however, when you tried to pass of Kessel as comparable to Staal.
- bureforearthsprez

I believe it's fair to loop him in with Staal right now.

2009-10 Carolina NHL 13 3 2 5
2008-09 Carolina NHL 82 40 35 75
2007-08 Carolina NHL 82 38 44 82
2006-07 Carolina NHL 82 30 40 70
2005-06 Carolina NHL 82 45 55 100
- RogerRoeper

Incredible numbers except for this season so far. But way premature to say he's not the star he was supposed to be.

I believe it's fair to loop him in with Staal right now.
- RogerRoeper

I'm done with this argument. Enjoy your fantasy hockey.

I'm done with this argument. Enjoy your fantasy hockey.
- bureforearthsprez

Why because Kessel is a soft, one-dimensional, selfish, soft player who can never score without Savard?

Incredible numbers except for this season so far. But way premature to say he's not the star he was supposed to be.
- groove43

I wouldn't use the word "Incredible" at all.

I wouldn't use the word "Incredible" at all.
- RogerRoeper

Not until he's wearing a Leafs jersey, right?

Not until he's wearing a Leafs jersey, right?
- groove43

He's been putting up Mats Sundin numbers ( a little less) since his big year. I never called Sundin's numbers "Incredible".

It's nothing to do with Gustavsson, he's working on his rebounds and obviously it's going to take him some time to work on the shootout. But all these goals are from terrible defense. Beauchemin doesn't know how to clear a puck and ALWAYS gives it back to the point in the d zone... Schenn is always flat footed and basically acts as a pylon in front of the net, watching the play go by. On the 4th goal, Hagman wasn't covering the man, he was too busy making a basic mistake of watching the play too much... I don't get this team at all, and Ron Wilson is doing a TERRIBLE job handling his players... You want to make Schenn better? Don't give him 10 minutes of ice time a game , send him to the minors and let him regain his confidence, because hes NOT doing ANYTHING here. Seriously though, what is Rickard Wallin still doing on this roster? All he does is take penalties and have a small upside on the PK... The guy just doesn't do anything and is setting the role of the OPPOSITE of Burkes style of play. The Leafs coaching staff made their biggest mistake when they broke up the line that scored HALF the Leafs goals in the preseason. Bozak and Hanson were KEY players then... I seriously thought the coaching staff was better than this, but they aren't.. and for now, I'm done with the team until changes are made.

3-17

pathetic

Sure he is. Staal hasn't become the star he looked like he would in 05-06'.
- RogerRoeper

Kessel is as good as Eric Staal ?!?
43 playoffs points in 43 playoffs games, 4 straight seasons with 30+ goals and 1 100 points season with the Hurricanes supporting cast... are you kidding me?

Kessel is as good as Eric Staal ?!?
43 playoffs points in 43 playoffs games, 4 straight seasons with 30+ goals and 1 100 points season with the Hurricanes supporting cast... are you kidding me?
- hello_there

Kessel and Staal are comparable in that the teams they play for are battling for the Basement Cup ... regardless who fights the hardest to be come the most pathetic basement cup winner, the leafs loose...at least Carolina get thier draft pick

3-17

pathetic
- senstroll

They're only on pace for 12 wins now instead of 13.

Kessel is as good as Eric Staal ?!?
43 playoffs points in 43 playoffs games, 4 straight seasons with 30+ goals and 1 100 points season with the Hurricanes supporting cast... are you kidding me?
- hello_there

And Kessel has 15 points in 15 games in his playoff career.

As mentioned, Staal hasn't come close to his 05-06' season again. And his supporting cast in 05-06' was very good.

And Kessel has 15 points in 15 games in his playoff career.

As mentioned, Staal hasn't come close to his 05-06' season again. And his supporting cast in 05-06' was very good.
- RogerRoeper

Your just being silly. Staal went head to head with Chara and outplayed him in front of the net, behind the net and on the boards. Staal is the kind of player that can carry a good team all the way to the Holy Grail. Kessel on the other hand has done nothing to demonstrate that he has the personal character to carry a team. He may but we have not seen any evidence of it yet.

If I had a choice between Richards or Staal it would be difficult but I think I would take Staal. It is not my intention to diminish Richards in any way, he is a wonderful talent. I just think that Staal is that good. And, on the right team, perhaps Boston or New Jersey or Nashville he would instantly turn a solid team with good depth into a serious Stanley Cup contender. Carolina simply does not have the depth.

Your just being silly. Staal went head to head with Chara and outplayed him in front of the net, behind the net and on the boards. Staal is the kind of player that can carry a good team all the way to the Holy Grail. Kessel on the other hand has done nothing to demonstrate that he has the personal character to carry a team. He may but we have not seen any evidence of it yet.

If I had a choice between Richards or Staal it would be difficult but I think I would take Staal. It is not my intention to diminish Richards in any way, he is a wonderful talent. I just think that Staal is that good. And, on the right team, perhaps Boston or New Jersey or Nashville he would instantly turn a solid team with good depth into a serious Stanley Cup contender. Carolina simply does not have the depth.
- spatso

Chara had a shoulder, knee, and groin injury last year in the playoffs. It showed courage just to suit up......but yes, you are correct, Staal outplayed the very injured Chara.

FYI, I think Staal is somebody you build a team around.

If I were a GM, he'd be one of the 5 or 6 forwards I look to build my franchise.

And Kessel has 15 points in 15 games in his playoff career.

As mentioned, Staal hasn't come close to his 05-06' season again. And his supporting cast in 05-06' was very good.
- RogerRoeper

You're such a big homer.

Your just being silly. Staal went head to head with Chara and outplayed him in front of the net, behind the net and on the boards. Staal is the kind of player that can carry a good team all the way to the Holy Grail. Kessel on the other hand has done nothing to demonstrate that he has the personal character to carry a team. He may but we have not seen any evidence of it yet.

If I had a choice between Richards or Staal it would be difficult but I think I would take Staal. It is not my intention to diminish Richards in any way, he is a wonderful talent. I just think that Staal is that good. And, on the right team, perhaps Boston or New Jersey or Nashville he would instantly turn a solid team with good depth into a serious Stanley Cup contender. Carolina simply does not have the depth.
- spatso

i agree with you, Staal is the type of player who can lead a team all the way while Kessel would be part of the supporting cast...

i agree with you, Staal is the type of player who can lead a team all the way while Kessel would be part of the supporting cast...
- D4nY

Kessel would be a good line mate for someone like Staal, but he does not bring the leadership intensity that seems to be part of the natural talent of a few players. You see it in Crosby, Richards and Ovechkin. It is not just the ability to score. It is the ability to lift their game to a higher level when it really matters. It is more than just intensity. Lots of players have intensity, it is really about an added skill level that seems to kick in when it really matters.

I know that Richards does not put up the kind of numbers that Crosby or Ovechkin produce but he does bring a remarkable skill set. He scores important goals, he can shut down the other teams best player and he is frightening on the penalty kill. I think Stall is more the Richards type leader but with even more of an offensive up side to his game.

Kessel would be a good line mate for someone like Staal, but he does not bring the leadership intensity that seems to be part of the natural talent of a few players. You see it in Crosby, Richards and Ovechkin. It is not just the ability to score. It is the ability to lift their game to a higher level when it really matters. It is more than just intensity. Lots of players have intensity, it is really about an added skill level that seems to kick in when it really matters.
- spatso

Kessel has a point per game average in the playoffs. He doesn't have a physical element to his game at all though, so I wouldn't want to have to rely on him once a game started getting rough when it counts. He may prove me wrong if he ever gets to play in the playoffs again lol.

They well deserved the win. They played really well and I was happy for them.

Surely the agony is over now and the leafs will definitely make the playoffs.

Surely the agony is over now and the leafs will definitely make the playoffs.
- Jimbo976