Phil Kessel News

Kessel (flu) will play tonight.

Kessel missed Monday's practice because of the flu, but it will not hold him out of Tuesday's contest. Kessel has cooled off after a hot-start, he has not scored in his last four games and only one goal in his last seven. With Tyler Bozak's return just around the corner, expect Kessel to heat-up again.

Phil Kessel
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Phil Kessel to an 8-year, $64 million US ($8 million AAV) contract extension. The contract comes with a no-movement clause and a limited no-trade clause.

Since being traded to the Maple Leafs, Kessel has scored 119 goals in four seasons. He has had three 30-goal seasons and 20 goals in the shortened season (on pace for 34). He is a one dimensional player, but it is hard to find a consistent 30-goal scorer so Kessel will remain the centrepiece of the Maple Leafs roster for the next eight years. In seven NHL seasons with the Bruins and Maple Leafs, he has 185 goals and 379 points in 504 games.

Phil Kessel
Kessel still goal-less in 2013.

Kessel leads the league in shots on goal this season but still doesn't have a goal. Now it is not like he isn't playing well, because he is. He's generated tons of chances and hit iron multiple times. It is only a matter of time before he gets a goal. Could it be tonight? And once he does get that monkey off his back, will the flood gates open?

Phil Kessel
And Kessel, who has had a reputation within some circles of the Toronto media for being uptight and brittle, may actually be following his own philosophy. He’s showing his fun side more than ever to his teammates. In fact, he’s taken charge of team fun lately.

Kessel sounds very relaxed, which could lead to more goals. He's scored 62 goals over his two years as a Leaf; he could very well breakout into the 70-80 point range with a better center like Nazem Kadri, Tim Connolly and Matthew Lombardi.

Phil Kessel
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