Report Card - Phil Kessel

Name/Position – Phil Kessel/RW
Height/Weight – 5'11"'/185 lbs
09/10 Games Played – 70 Goals - 30 Assists - 25 Points – 55 Plus/Minus – minus 8
08/09 Games Played – 70 Goals - 36 Assists - 24 Points – 60 Plus/Minus – plus 23
Salary/Cap Hit - $4.5 Million/$5.4 Million



Analysis - Phil Kessel has the potential to be a dynamic offensive force in the NHL, but he isn't there yet.

Overall, Phil had a good season. Coming back from shoulder surgery in the fall, he looked slow, and didn't seem to trust his linemates. He would often take bad angle shots instead of pass to the open man, although with Kessel's fantastic wrister those bad angle shots often went in (a bit of a catch 22).

As the season went on, he was able to catch his breath between shifts, and developed great chemistry with Kulemin and Bozak.

Kessel would show flashes of brilliance, teasing that he might make top 10 in league scoring. Other games (especially against Boston) Kessel would be held off the score sheet.

He was brought in to score, and that is what he did.

Kessel, lighting the lamp 30 times, ended up with the 23rd most goals, more than either of the Sedin sisters, more than Eric Staal, or Pavel Datsyuk!

If Kessel can learn to trust his linemates more, and make smart passes and plays, we could really see a top line develop for the Leafs over the next few years.

Grade - A minus (progressed as the year went on, but still needs to grow).