CrippledCanuck Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Kesler is not superior to Hodgson in skill and offensive ability. Sorry, but no. There are things about Kesler and his game that enable him to put up goals and points easier, like his size and speed, but let's not pretend that he's more skilled than Cody Hodgson. That being said, no he's not a 3rd line centre. Like everyone else is saying, it was an off year for him for many reasons. Not only did he just score 41 goals last season, but he also put up 50 assists and 75 points the season before. That's the curious thing about Kesler. This year I was almost convinced that the guy couldn't make passes and be a playmaker but the fact he put up 50 helpers 2 seasons ago, which ranked him 14th that season and would rank him 9th/10th this season, by the way, has me really scratching my head. While Kesler is a Canuck, the 2nd line will be built around him. Somehow, though, the coaching staff has to find a way to get Kesler's playmaking ability back. Don't get me wrong, his goal scoring is also key, but I think the offense in general is better off if he can dish the puck consistently. Consider this: although last season was the Canucks' best season all around in franchise history, I consider the 09/10 season the Canucks' best offensive season in recent memory. A big part of that was Kesler putting up 50 assists, which largely contributed to Raymond's career year of 25 goals and 53 points and Samuelsson's whopping 30 goal season. That was a great 2nd line and it was great because Kesler was able to make plays instead of just keep the puck for himself and fire it on net all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrippledCanuck Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Kes's second year,first full year as a Nuck he had 23 points.Kes's third season as a Canuck he tallied sixteen points. 8.4 and 6.8% Shooting percentage. Hodson's was 15.5% in his rookie year.Gillis can't take that one away. Love Kes,but just saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raph Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 I think the title should be changed to "Kesler is better suited as a checking centre". Cuz that's what he is! He is not this finesse passer. He doesn't have a Naslund/Sakic wrist shot. He doesn't have wizard magic like Datsyuk. He should stop playing like he does! What he does have is superior strength and speed, tenacious forechecking, and bust your own balls for a goal attitude. What happened to that Kesler?! I think Kesler plays his best when he is in that checking role and mindset. I don't understand why the coaching staff shied him away from defensive zone draws and head-to-head shutdown matches. When you can shutdown and outscore them your matchup, isn't that the mark of a true Selke? Really though, Kesler plays too many minutes. #1PP, #1PK and ES. Putting him in a 'checker' line would keep his minutes in check. If before the trade deadline *sigh*, my lines would have been Sedin-Sedin-Burrows Higgins-Kesler-Hansen ?Raymond-Hodgson -Booth Malholtra-Lapierre-Weise 2nd/3rd line even strength time would have been split pretty evenly. And playing with Higgins and Hansen is hardly a demotion. They were our most consistent players all season. But regardless, AV seemed bent on forcing chemistry between Kesler and Booth the entire season... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Real deal - Stan Smyl Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Everyone is also forgetting that just 2 years ago he led all forwards in ice time in the Olympic Gold Medal game (that's both teams). I'm not sure if there's a better indication of how good this guy can be than that. Having Kesler on the 2nd line was pretty much the envy of the league last year and people are ready to give up on him after 1 year? I will defer to Lindy on that one: http://youtu.be/5_JTw-4srzk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protag Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Adding to the argument against the OP's claim is the fact that Kesler carries a $5 million cap hit. Simply put, the Canucks cant afford to put a player with that kind of salary on the 3rd line, where he'll have limited minutes. Give Kes a break, he had a one bad year. If he can pot between 25 and 30 goals the next couple of years, he's a solid second line centre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raph Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Adding to the argument against the OP's claim is the fact that Kesler carries a $5 million cap hit. Simply put, the Canucks cant afford to put a player with that kind of salary on the 3rd line, where he'll have limited minutes. Give Kes a break, he had a one bad year. If he can pot between 25 and 30 goals the next couple of years, he's a solid second line centre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIBdaQUIB Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Adding to the argument against the OP's claim is the fact that Kesler carries a $5 million cap hit. Simply put, the Canucks cant afford to put a player with that kind of salary on the 3rd line, where he'll have limited minutes. Give Kes a break, he had a one bad year. If he can pot between 25 and 30 goals the next couple of years, he's a solid second line centre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newgm Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 The way he plays now he is better suited to be a second line winger. 3 years ago he was a better 3rd line center. His game has changed so much that AV tries to pull him away from checking matchups. I think he is great the way he plays but AV has to put him on the wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soshified Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Funny how you guys didnt say this last year. Oh CDC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoneandonlyBILL Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 kes started late and finished injured give him a good summer and then talk trash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace_of_Spades Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Anyone who thinks Kesler is better 3rd liner then 1st or 2nd liner doesn't know very much about hockey that's for sure lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horny Manatee Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Remind me of the last time the Canucks played an important game where Kesler wasn't injured? Anyone? Hello? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rounoush Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 The fact that you have a plus-10 is scary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themonicator Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Kes's second year,first full year as a Nuck he had 23 points.Kes's third season as a Canuck he tallied sixteen points. 8.4 and 6.8% Shooting percentage. Hodson's was 15.5% in his rookie year.Gillis can't take that one away. Love Kes,but just saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bahaazar Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Totally agree with OP ... Kesler aint that good, his lack of work ethic was bad this year and in the playoffs.... he suck holes alot and hasnt grown as a mature player and leader of this team. I think he is trade bait because I dont think he will get better. I hope we can find a second line center in the off season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remy Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 But overpaying for role players is what the Nucks do Malhotra - $2.5M for face off specialist Ballard - $4.5M 3rd pairing D man Booth - $4.25M for 15 goal scorer Kesler - $5M for shutdown centerman/diver extraordinaire Raymond - $2.5M does nothing Sedins - $12M - can't score in playoffs. Too many passengers on the Nuck's bus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resdog Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 I dream of a time in a distant future where folks are no longer weeping n' whining n' speculating about what could have been with Coho. Actually no, it hasn't gotten enough attention. Let's talk about it some more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaaa322 Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 I think Kes is more suited to be a second line winger. He doesn't have the passing ability to be a centre; most top line/second line centres can make their wingers better. I mean it was very apparent during the playoffs when he tried to one man everything. And plus he was great when Sundin was here. Too bad we don't have a 2nd line centre to replace him with (... we had a potential one... but we traded him). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckelhead70 Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 kes scored 40 without Booth on his wing...... not much else to say about that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Surfer Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Which guys? I've called for a playmaker to play with Kesler even when he played with Samuelsson if he was the 2knd line center. That even though Sammy was the guy who distributed the puck. Then try Kesler with the Twins and try Cody for the 2knd line. Then try Hodgson between Kess & Booth. Kesler is multi dimensional, but the last dimension is passing. He's a sniper, not play-maker, so he needs to play with one. Simple! The 2knd last dimension is health, too many injuries. But this thread is ridiculous; demote a Selke winner and multiple Selke nominee. Funny how you guys didnt say this last year. Oh CDC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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