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The Maple Leafs finally broke up the ineffective pairing of Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak in practice Sunday, and the dismantling could be a precursor to a total rebuild of Kessel’s line for next season.

For now, Bozak’s out and Darryl Boyce is in as centre for Kessel, who is mired in a 10-game scoring slump.

“It’s not happening here (on the line with Bozak), so maybe it’s time for a change,” a clearly frustrated Kessel said.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nh ... eally-talk

The next day.....

Phil Kessel tried to clear the air Monday morning after comments he made Sunday in practice where he was critical of his linemates, and indicated he and coach Ron Wilson do not speak.

Kessel said Sunday that “it’s not working here” — meaning his line with Tyler Bozak and Joey Crabb — but websites Monday morning interpreted “here” to mean he wanted a trade out of Toronto.

“I was talking about linemates, nothing else,” Kessel said.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nh ... nd-toronto

I agree with him his frustrations and all. Put him with the guys who are scoring right now(Grabo, Mcarthur) to see if he can break out of his slump and be more effective.

or

Burke needs to make a trade that won't disrupt the chemistry and grab that top six forward that we've all been waiting and pair him with Kessel.

I truly feel bad for the guy. It really isn't his fault that we traded 2 firsts for him. It also isn't his fault that he isn't performing at the level he should be playing at. The guy has almost 20 goals this season playing with a bunch of 3rd line AHL players. Should we really be expecting a breakout season from Kessel with Joey Crabb and Daryl Boyce on his line? Every elite player in the NHL has at least one legit player to play with (i.e- Perry has Getzlaf and vice versa, Crosby has Malkin and Staal, etc). If we get some decent players to play alongside Kessel, and he fails to produce, then we can finally ride him. Until then, leave him alone.

Kessel doesn't get a fair shake. The Leafs gave up what you would give up for a leader/superstar for a really good player. He will forever be criticized because of those two first round picks. Not fair to him but Burke made the deal and two years later he has yet to acquire any top line talent to play with him.
Kessel is going through the Sundin syndrome, people used to kill Sundin but look at who he was playing with and what he carried them to. Kessel has 20 goals playing with inferior talent. Is there flaws in his game? Sure, he doesn't give effort or appears to not give effort especially defensively. But if you put a true number 1 center with him and he's probably gonna get you 40 goals a season which is what he is, a goal scorer.

Burke is the one that needs to be getting major criticism, Kessel deserves some and Wilson deserves a large share for what's happened the past few seasons.

Burke needs to get this team a god damn center. Thats the bottom line

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sdhJf4hBoQ&feature=feedu[/youtube]

He needs to be better period. Forget the draft picks. Hes getting paid 5.5 million which is borderline elite money so he needs to step up. -22 or whatever he is isnt acceptable. Not bothering to go into the corners and do the hard work grates on people too. Hes pretty one dimensional. Hes almost Andrea Bargnani esque in that sense although he has more heart (coming back from cancer, the mono e.t.c)

sanity wrote:Burke needs to get this team a god damn center. Thats the bottom line

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sdhJf4hBoQ&feature=feedu[/youtube]

Burke needs to be fired. The Kessel trade was dead from the get-go. The leafs are NOT a team that needs 'one last piece' We're a team that should have been trying to get draft picks IN, not mortgaging our future to sneak into the playoffs.

We need a GM who is willing to spend a few years rebuilding the team. Our goal should be a Cup by 2020; right now we should not be buyers.