How Many Goals Will Phil Kessel Score In 2011-2012?

by PPP on Oct 6, 2011 9:01 AM EDT in Question of the Day

Phil Kessel has spent another summer having his game examined from a number of angles. Is he scoring a lot of 'clutch' points?

Phil Kessel may not dig the team out of deep holes but if he is involved in a goal then there's a good chance that it either helped tie the game or give the Leafs the lead. 16 of his 32 goals came in that situation as well as 22 of his 32 assists.

He had a writer that 12 months ago suggested he could win the Hart Trophy begin advancing a number of myths.

Of course, that isn’t Brophy’s point. Brophy’s point is that Kessel can’t “carry” a team on a lengthy post-season run. The nice thing about this point is that it’s impossible to refute: Kessel hasn’t carried a team on a lengthy playoff run, so despite strong performances in the playoffs and internationally, one can’t prove anything other than that Kessel scores in the playoffs. The logical conclusion to make, of course, is that Kessel’s a good playoff player, but then that’s a conclusion pretty much anybody can come to.

And he's once again going to be trying to create chemistry with new linemates. While on paper Joffrey Lupul and Tim Connolly seem like upgrades, one is struggling out of the gate and the other is already crocked. So, how many goals will Sisyphus get?

Poll

How many goals will Phil Kessel score this year?

Less than 25

6 votes

25-30

21 votes

31-35

140 votes

36-40

205 votes

41-45

63 votes

435 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

not so bold prediction

36 goals.

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by blindfolded tank driver on Oct 6, 2011 9:05 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions

I'm going with

31-35. Not basing this on stats, just my guess

Fairweather fans can go to hell
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by leafer1984 on Oct 6, 2011 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

My head says 31-35

But my heart says 40+

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
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by nhlcheapshot on Oct 6, 2011 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

Way to get the questions listed out of order you dolt.

The First Certified Grabbo Lover

by SkinnyFish on Oct 6, 2011 9:33 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

i'm a pessimist

>cringe< i don’t think he cracks 30 this year…. however i think other players will step it up (grabovski may hit 30 for instance)

by magecanuck on Oct 6, 2011 9:58 AM EDT reply actions

Why on earth? He has consistenly done it 3 years in a row, is under 25, and should have better linemates.

Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
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by BCapp on Oct 6, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Phil Kessel is just that enigmatic.

Pumps out more male with one thrust of the pelvis than the United States postal service over the last 146 years.

by Blinky on Oct 6, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Why Is There No Option For 50 Guys?!?

by Rynnas on Oct 6, 2011 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

Because you’d have to be a real charmer to score 50 guys, and Phil’s too shy to pull that off.

by Jo4nny on Oct 6, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Rec’d :)

by G.g.B on Oct 6, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Here's how he can hit 50

http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2011/9/10/2416302/charting-optimism-how-phil-can-hit-50

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 6, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I think I just charted in my pants

Pension Plan Puppets
I hope YouTube comes down to film this.

by birky on Oct 6, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s like when you shart, only it comes pre-papered?

R.I.P. The playoff hopes of Montreal Canadiens fans for 2011-12.

by not norm ullman on Oct 6, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Whoah.

Total Eclipse of the Chart.

Pumps out more male with one thrust of the pelvis than the United States postal service over the last 146 years.

by Blinky on Oct 6, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

25-30 is my prediction, but I’m tempering my expectations because I anticipate he’ll get injured at some point, because shit like that always happens to us.

by Jo4nny on Oct 6, 2011 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

36-40. I think he can pot a few more than last year if he can get better linemates consistently.

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by Draglikepull on Oct 6, 2011 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

Why are they all out of order?

Cynically Sarcastic
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by clrkaitken on Oct 6, 2011 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

Because Hoolian is el stupido.

The First Certified Grabbo Lover

by SkinnyFish on Oct 6, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Hehehe Hoolian.

Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!

by BCapp on Oct 6, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

OVER 9000

@theninjagreg

by theninjagreg on Oct 6, 2011 10:36 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs

I have him in fantasy… so 40+! It’s Kessel Time!

by Papa Squid on Oct 6, 2011 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

36-40. One of my preseason predictions is him setting his G record so thats more than 36.

Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!

by BCapp on Oct 6, 2011 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I’m optimistic on this one. His line is going to better – better center (whoever it is) and better winger. What I’m more anxious in seeing is if he shakes any talk of being streaky. Want to see a very good year to shut some people up.

by Learn2Leaf on Oct 6, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions