Kessel's Combines; It isn't pretty
This was posted on USHCO.COM Kessel Discussion I find it kind of interesting.
"This weeks ESPN Magazine written by Gare Joyce, has a very interesting article where ESPN followed around Columbus Blue Jacket player personnel director Don Boyd and GM Doug MacLean as the NHL conducted fitness testing and interviews with the top prospects for the NHL draft. Phil Kessel has quite a bit spoken about him, most of it very unfavorable."
What follows are some excerpts from the article:
May 29th Toronto
Kessel- At 17, the forward starred for the US team at the 2005 world juniors. He would have gone No. 2 behind Sidney Crosby in last year's draft if he'd been eligible, but his stock has since plunged. He spent last season on the U of Minnesota's third line.
"Strenght?" Boyd asks.
"Speed" and "scoring" go up on the board.
Then the minuses pour out. Says Brian Bates, the Minneapolis scout who saw him the most: "I wonder about his game awareness sometimes."
"There might be some selfish play there sometimes," Boyd adds.
June 2nd Toronto
Kessel walks into the room. The Blue Jackets are the first of 20 interviews on his schedule. He is barely in his seat before Boyd says, "Teammates."
Silence.
"Do you know what I'm talking about?"
"No," Kessel says.
He most certainly does. Kessel has a reputation for being disliked by teammates wherever he's played. Jack Johnson, 2nd overall in last year's draft, called him "a dirtbag" during one of his combine interviews.
Silence.
"I don't have a problem with my teammates."
More silence.
"I don't have a problem with Jack Johnson."
More silence.
"I had lunch with him practically every day."
What about the TV report about that bar serving underage Gophers?
"Happens everywhere," Kessel says.
Only 18 goals last season when you were compared to Sidney Crosby the year before?
"I was on the third line...we rolled four lines."
Kessel's time is up. He leaves, seemingly aware that his was a less-than-stellar performance.
June 2nd Toronto- Physicals and Fitness testing
"What you get a look at here," Boyd says, "is just how willing the kids are to work on their own and what their work ethic is like."
As if on cue, Kessel comes in. He looks around nervously. A few minutes later, Kessel looks gassed on the bike, stopping at seven minutes.
June 23rd Vancouver
Kessel walks in holding an empty water bottle. He shakes hands, sits on the couch and starts tapping the bottle against his palm, a drum beat...
Boyd jumps in. "Phil, I watched you test at the combine. How do you think you did?"
I think I did pretty well. It was tough. I just came back from the world championships. Didn't have that much chance to prepare for it."
"You walked around that room," Boyd says. "You saw the conditioning level of other guys. Where do you think your conditioning is? A lot of guys look like they've been in the gym longer than you. I'm not talking about the past few weeks. I'm talking about the past year, year and a half."
"I doubt that."
"You train pretty hard?" Boyd says.
"Yeah. I mean, I didn't have a chance to work out for practically a month and a half."
There are other questions. About his relationships with teammates. About his rep as a party guy. Then Boyd goes directly to the scouting report. "How would you respond to this: 'A little bit immature, needs to work a little harder in the gym, practice a little harder, needs to learn some social skills, people skills.' We'll leave it at that."
Kessel's voice falls to a whisper. "I'd say, okay...yeah a little bit...some of that stuff...it's a little hard...work on some of that stuff, I guess."
It's over soon after that. Kessel looks disheartened as he leaves. MacLean looks sad. "If what they're saying about this kid isn't true, it's criminal. Because I don't know if I ever heard the negative stuff like I have with this kid."
Goon's Perspective on the Matter
I think it’s a telling part of this kid’s story. I also think this is crux of the whole issue/argument. It’s been said all along that Kessel has personal issues, is a prima donna, very self focused, doesn’t get along with his teammates, and he is lazy. Then when a teammate says something along these lines and it mirrors what everyone else has been saying all along but it’s being brushed off as being petty, mean spirited and just flat out wrong. Hey lets try this angle for once. Maybe this stuff is true? Is it possible that there really must be something to stuff. Why would people make it up? Seriously, do you hear this stuff being said about Zach Parise, Erik Johnson, Jonathon Toews or Jordan Staal? No you don’t.
Read below and you will see what one of his teammates are talking about. It’s all about character and getting along with your teammates. Are we to believe also that Jack Skille is an ass and just making bad stuff up about Kessel. Hum…
Kessel walks into the room. The Blue Jackets are the first of 20 interviews on his schedule. He is barely in his seat before Boyd says, "Teammates."
Silence.
"Do you know what I'm talking about?"
"No," Kessel says.
He most certainly does. Kessel has a reputation for being disliked by teammates wherever he's played. Jack Johnson, 2nd overall in last year's draft, called him "a dirtbag" during one of his combine interviews.
Kessel A Cancer
There has been a lot of discussion about Phil Kessel's attitude and believe me there is a lot written about Kessel being a cancer or a distraction on what ever team he plays on. The is the much discussed childish tiffe between Kessel and Jack Skille and they there is the part that is alluded to in the article above. I heard someone joke recentlyh that Phil Kessel probably called up Jack Skille and said, "hey are you going to Wisconsin, ok I am going to Minnesota." I think it is funny how Gopher fans get very agry with people that suggest that this all over blown garbage that isn't true. Really! So whoe are we to believe?
On the Jack Johnson comments: I have been in quite a few discussions with a few posters over on USCHO.COM and Sioux Sports and some Goofer fans some how some equated Jack Johnson’s dirty elbow on a Canadian WJC player (it was a dirty play, but that is one instance) as a serious character flaw, hence, making him a hypocrite and unable to comment on Phil Kessel’s character but also a hack and should worry about his own self first. Lets not cloud the issue with facts but if Johnson is so flawed why does Carolina want him so bad?
So what right, I guess we are all entitled to our own opinions, however, I am still going to take Jack Johnson's and Jack Skille's word over a random fan from Minnesota.
In Conclusion
I have nothing against Phil Kessel I think he has amazing talent and a huge upside if he grows up and realizes it’s not all about Phil Kessel, because in the NHL team goals come first, because its about working as a team and worrying more about team goals you’re your personal stats.
Edited 1-03-2007:
I think in retrospect Kessel has proved he is a legit addition to the Boston Bruins line up scoring 5 goals and 4 assits for 9 points in 27 games. I suppose one could say that hind sight is 20/20. I am hoping that Kessel can make a speedy recovery from his cancer surgery and have a solid run in the second half of the Bruins season.
