Kessel is only one man; Hockey isn`t a one-man game
By ALISSA TSE
It was the start of something new for number 81, Phil Kessel. He was in a new city, new team and a new jersey and making his first debut game with his new team after a shoulder injury that kept him away from the start of the season for a month. The anticipation of the result of having Kessel be on the line with the Leafs caused a lot of talk. Some coming to believe that he wouldn’t make a difference and others hoping or possibly believing they will be seeing a 2nd win from the Leafs with his debut.
Kessel, no doubt, is an amazing player. He’s fast at his feet, quick with his shots and he proved to be a valuable player after scoring 36 goals during his 3rd season with the Boston Bruins. In fact, he’s starting to seem like the replacement of the missing ‘Mats Sundin’ that had left the team only one season ago. But it seems that everyone has forgotten that Kessel had only played his first game with the Leafs last night. And people have certainly forgotten that Kessel is only one man and hockey isn’t a one-man game. Unfortunately, Kessel won’t be able to save the team in one day, as a matter of fact, it may take awhile.
Of course, it can`t be said that Brian Burke made the wrong choice of trading those 3 valuable draft picks (especially seeing the state that the Leafs are in at the moment) or that this was definitely the right move. As spectators, we can only continue to watch and see how the season progresses to really find out if this action is one that will help the team.
With no doubt, if the season was to end now, many would have said Kessel was overvalued. Complaints from fans would flutter around, the media will be talking about Burke’s choice day and night. But we got to keep in mind, the season isn’t over yet. And we have to remember that Kessel had only played one game in a Leafs jersey, he still has many opportunities with the Leafs to prove his worthiness. This is only the start of the season for young Kessel and it is unfair and unrealistic to conclude that “his contribution is of no help” because what I see in this young star is energy that can bring the team together again to find a way to move themselves from the bottom of the pit that they are in right now.
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