Interesting Kessel tidbit

[chippa13 1844]

Last year, the crack Phil Kessel regularly heard, from his coaches as well as his teammates, was to use a man's stick.

The joke was cutting. Only because it was true.

As a 19-year-old last season, Kessel's choice of weaponry was a Bauer with a lightweight junior shaft, the preferred and recommended stick for teenagers. Kessel is a creature of habit, and despite playing in the biggest and baddest of leagues last year, he had no plans of ditching the shaft, which gives him whip-like action on his release, for a men's version.

Even this season, the 20-year-old will keep the junior shaft.

[Chadd 916]

intermediate, not really junior

[Cavs019 708]

The funny thing is he shoots harder and has more skill than 95% of his teamates, who almost all belong in the AHL.

[Guy Incognito 0]

Wouldn't a whippy shaft like that throw off accuracy to someone who creates a lot of torque?

[djinferno 2]

if it works, use it...

[chippa13 1844]

The funny thing is he shoots harder and has more skill than 95% of his teamates, who almost all belong in the AHL.

I think you have the Bruins confused with someone else. They may not be the iron of the league but they definitely aren't the Pens of 3 years ago.

[Jason Harris 31]

What I found bemusing about Kessel, although I understand it would be lamentable from his perspective, but he's still in a very pimply stage of his life. You don't see too many interviews with professional athletes who are breaking out all over their face. :D

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

Yeah, he needs Puffy to hook him up with some Proactiv.

[badsk8ter 0]

Did Kessel sign a deal with NB because he used to use a 75 flex intermediate Easton when he was with the Gophers and even in his rookie season?

[bigdaddykane 0]

booo JR, that was mean!

[chippa13 1844]

Did Kessel sign a deal with NB because he used to use a 75 flex intermediate Easton when he was with the Gophers and even in his rookie season?

Possibly, early last year he ditched his Mission bucket for the 5000 and he switched from an SL to a Vapor XXX Lite.

[trevor13478 1]

Did Kessel sign a deal with NB because he used to use a 75 flex intermediate Easton when he was with the Gophers and even in his rookie season?

Possibly, early last year he ditched his Mission bucket for the 5000 and he switched from an SL to a Vapor XXX Lite.

he also had an SE for a bit, and around the time he ditched all that, he also switched from mission gloves to NBH 4 rolls.

[sabre09923 0]

The funny thing is he shoots harder and has more skill than 95% of his teamates, who almost all belong in the AHL.

After watching tonight's game, I'm (unfortunately) going to agree with that for now.

2 fights within 3 seconds?

[chippa13 1844]

The funny thing is he shoots harder and has more skill than 95% of his teamates, who almost all belong in the AHL.

After watching tonight's game, I'm (unfortunately) going to agree with that for now.

2 fights within 3 seconds?

And that has what to do with a team's talent level?

[sabre09923 0]

Not really indicative of talent level, just a side comment -- the B's (as far as I could tell) instigated both those fights after the Stars' second goal.

Hopefully the rest of the season bodes well for them, since I'm getting sick of the mediocrity they put out year after year. They just need a pure goal scorer out there with Savard, but I'm not sure Kessel's the answer. He has loads of talent, but I'm not sure he's going to develop into a 40+ goal scorer. Of course, I'd love if he proved me wrong.

[ThePurpleCobra 0]

The funny thing is he shoots harder and has more skill than 95% of his teamates, who almost all belong in the AHL.

I think you have the Bruins confused with someone else. They may not be the iron of the league but they definitely aren't the Pens of 3 years ago.

they looked better and outplayed Dallas last night, just had 4 bad goals against them(if you watched the game)

[sabre09923 0]

The funny thing is he shoots harder and has more skill than 95% of his teamates, who almost all belong in the AHL.

I think you have the Bruins confused with someone else. They may not be the iron of the league but they definitely aren't the Pens of 3 years ago.

they looked better and outplayed Dallas last night, just had 4 bad goals against them(if you watched the game)

I watched until the end of the second period.

[Jason Harris 31]

The funny thing is he shoots harder and has more skill than 95% of his teamates, who almost all belong in the AHL.

After watching tonight's game, I'm (unfortunately) going to agree with that for now.

2 fights within 3 seconds?

I understand Lucic's fight. He's basically on a 9-game trial to avoid being sent back to his junior team, and was obviously trying to impress the coaches.

[kovalchuk71 212]

If nobody minds me asking, what curve does he use?

[chippa13 1844]

Not really indicative of talent level, just a side comment -- the B's (as far as I could tell) instigated both those fights after the Stars' second goal.

Hopefully the rest of the season bodes well for them, since I'm getting sick of the mediocrity they put out year after year. They just need a pure goal scorer out there with Savard, but I'm not sure Kessel's the answer. He has loads of talent, but I'm not sure he's going to develop into a 40+ goal scorer. Of course, I'd love if he proved me wrong.

Murray is the guy to ride shotgun with Savard. An injury shortened season kept Murray from scoring in the mid-30's last year.

[epstud74 24]

Not really indicative of talent level, just a side comment -- the B's (as far as I could tell) instigated both those fights after the Stars' second goal.

Hopefully the rest of the season bodes well for them, since I'm getting sick of the mediocrity they put out year after year. They just need a pure goal scorer out there with Savard, but I'm not sure Kessel's the answer. He has loads of talent, but I'm not sure he's going to develop into a 40+ goal scorer. Of course, I'd love if he proved me wrong.

Murray is the guy to ride shotgun with Savard. An injury shortened season kept Murray from scoring in the mid-30's last year.

You'd be surprised at the number of players who use shorter or intermediate sticks. I saw a game used Keith Carney stick last winter and I couldnt believe how short it was.

[sabre09923 0]

How about Kessel's goal in the shootout tonight?

[Swiss17 0]

If nobody minds me asking, what curve does he use?

The stick I had of his was a Forsberg Clone

[DCott 0]

How about Kessel's goal in the shootout tonight?

what is that like 4 game ending shootout goals?...kid's filthy

[sabre09923 0]

How about Kessel's goal in the shootout tonight?

what is that like 4 game ending shootout goals?...kid's filthy

Yep. 4 in a row.

If only he could come up with those goals during regulation...