phil kessel
Down Goes Brown's Grab Bag: Hockey Is a Fading Sport in America
Soccer passes hockey as a big four sport in the US; a look back at obscure former player Gordie Roberts; and why the expansion draft shouldn't prevent us from ripping bad deals like Cam Ward's.
From Burns' Beard to Shania Twain: The 10 True Conn Smythe Contenders
Not all favourites for the Conn Smythe award are as obvious as Phil Kessel or Matt Murray.
Down Goes Brown's Weekend Review: Kessel's Redemption, and the Rise of Backup Goalies
The weird emergence of backups; a look at polarizing Pens sniper Phil Kessel, and his similarities to wrestling legend Shawn Michaels; plus a solution to the Brian Elliott situation in St. Louis.
Down Goes Brown's Weekend Review: Goats and Stars of the NHL Playoffs
High-profile players like Drew Doughty and Jaromir Jagr came up short in the first round, while Tampa got by just fine without superstar Steven Stamkos.
Leafs Nation: Phil Kessel Doesn't Deserve Your Boos
The expectations for Phil Kessel in Toronto were never realistic. He did his job on lousy Maple Leafs teams, becoming one of the top goal-scorers in the game. He deserves praise for that.
Bruins, Sweeney Centre of Attention in Offseason Full of High-Impact Moves
New Bruins general manager Don Sweeney had an underwhelming offseason, with the Flames benefiting from one of his perplexing deals. The Penguins were another team which did well by adding elite goal-scorer Phil Kessel from the Leafs.
Phil Kessel Was Never Loved in Toronto
Phil Kessel scored a lot of goals for the Leafs. That alone wasn't enough for Toronto fans to ever really embrace him.
The Leafs Should Go Bargain Hunting in Weak Free-Agent Class
The Maple Leafs' changing approach will have the club building toward the future this offseason. Expect lower-level deals over flashy signings.
Jack Eichel, the Next American Hockey Star, Is Almost Here
Comparisons to past American hockey greats keep coming Jack Eichel's way, but the impossibly genuine 18-year-old prodigy is still focused on getting better.