ovx_211 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Cue the Kesler for Weber proposals! BY BRAD ZIEMER, VANCOUVER SUN JANUARY 16, 2012 VANCOUVER — Vancouver Canucks centre Ryan Kesler was clearly displeased today to hear about a comment made about his game by coach Alain Vigneault. After Sunday night's lacklustre 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, Vigneault was asked what was wrong with Kesler, whose numbers are down this season and in more than 19 minutes of ice time Sunday night failed to register a shot on goal. "I think he has to use the players around him a little bit more so that he can get into open space and create the type of offensive chances and be the type of defensive player that he can be," Vigneault said. Kesler was not aware of those comments until today and bristled when they were put to him by reporters following the team's practice at Rogers Arena. "Me utilize my players?" Kesler said, before adding: "Obviously, I don't know what he means by that and if he wants to say that he can come to me and talk to me about it. "I am going to play my game, the things that have made me successful. I know what that is and if he wants to come talk to me he is more than welcome." Kesler had off-season hip surgery and missed the first five game of the regular season. This season, he has 12 goals and 31 points in 40 games. Last season, Kesler had a career-high 41 goals, 73 points and won the Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward. Asked today if he was living up to his own expectations this season, Kesler said: "Some games, yeah. Obviously, no one is perfect. I am far from it. I go on the ice expecting the best and I am going to expect the best tomorrow night." The Canucks play host to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night (7 p.m., Sportsnet Pacific, Team 1040). Kesler acknowledged it took him some time to feel like he had completely recovered from his hip surgery when he returned this season. "The first 10 or 15 games I just didn't have it, but I feel my game and skating is back to where it should be at," he said today. After today's practice, Vigneault emphasized that Kesler is not the only top Canuck player struggling. "Ryan and Hank and Danny (Sedin), I can name quite a few other guys who (are struggling)," Vigneault said. "Sometimes players are going to be a little bit off. Right now we have a couple of guys who are just a tad off. They are aware of it, it's not from lack of preparation or trying. You are going to get these moments in a season." Vigneault also addressed the inconsistency of Kesler's play. "I think in Ryan's case what happens is he has shown that high, high-end level at really critical times the type of player he can be," Vigneault said. "And that's a really tough thing to be able to maintain in an 82-game schedule. Everybody is looking to Ryan to do that on a consistent basis. That's not easy for any player to do. "Ryan being the competitive individual that he is will always try to achieve that standard. It's not easy so he's working on trying to get himself there and get himself there on that consistent basis." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BM24 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Yeah because I think Kesler saying AV can talk to him about his game will spark trade proposals. It's just another case of the media trying to start something, and people get brainwashed by it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edler0023 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 @sportsnetmurph: This AV/Kesler spat is humorous. Media fed Kesler only the negative part of AV's comment. Kesler understandably got his back up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreamHerO Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 AV knows what he's talking about man. Kesler STOP 1 MANING. Use you're team-mates pass Wait....... what about Raymond? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottish⑦Canuck Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Hopefully that lights a fire in him and gives him a bit of determination to play better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edler0023 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Mountain out of a molehill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Strome Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Seems like the media is trying to stir something thats not there. Don't fall into the media trap my friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanucksBen Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Well maybe he should pass the puck... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysticriver Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Thanks for posting. I mentioned this in one of the many Kesler threads floating around. I'm just surprised nobody, as in the coaching staff, has even advised Kesler to pass the puck more or do things differently until now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drive-By Body Pierce Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Just the media trying to create drama where it doesn't exist... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brahma Bull Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 AV saying stuff that rubs players the wrong way? I haven't seen this before. Kes is frustrated with his play more than anyone. (This is also why Kesler is not captain. You'd never hear the Sedins say this about AV.) Hopefully this fires up Kesler and snaps him out of his deep sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John316 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 I think it is time for Kesler to eat some 'humble' pie. It is obvious that Kesler is totally underperforming this year and many times I seen him go 1 on 3 and NOT pass the puck when he should. Pride comes before a downfall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BM24 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Brainwashed posters by the media in 3, 2, 1... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck_trevor16 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Usually when AV calls out a player, it will motivates them......let hope it the case with Kesler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgillnuck Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 I really want to see: Booth-Hodgson-Kesler Get a passer in-between those 2 and their games will really open up IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Strome Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 What the hell is wrong with Vancouver? He had Major hip surgery in the off-season and is still playing pretty well but leave it up to the media and cdc to slam the guy. I'm starting to hate this place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsedin33 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 I want to slap that reporter who asked that question. That's like when the reporter told Luongo that fans cheered when he got pulled in Boston and what he thought of that. The media makes me sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
js604 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 It's a coach's job to say stuff like this to motivate the players. What do people/Kesler expect when the player is not producing points... A pat on the back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xbox Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Kesler for M Richards JK (Sorta) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carson Graham Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 sounds to me like obviously Kesler is not happy with his performance & neither is the coach. Kes just took it wrong & is understandably sensitive about these things. And cuz he (Kesler) holds himself to such a high standard, he is probably pissed off at himself & is taking that comment very very personally. You know, I'm guessing its really hard for Kes to take a criticism, not cuz his all high & mighty, cuz he is frustrated with his points & performance. Its a sticky subject for him. Hope they act like the pros that they are and move on and win games and not let this fester and grow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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