Phil Kessel isn’t your stereotypical hockey player. Indeed, in a sport dominated by lean, chiseled physiques, the apple-cheeked Penguins’ winger sort of resembles your Uncle Walt. Even after he trained last summer with ex-Pens hard rock Gary Roberts.
Nor does he possess a common skill set. Keen anticipation. Excellent vision. Great hands. Rapier-like shot. Remarkable speed, given his barrel-shaped torso.
Qualities that led Pens GM Jim Rutherford to acquire Kessel from Toronto last July in the blockbuster deal of the summer.
Rescue is more like it. Despite tallying 181 goals for the Maple Leafs over a six-season span, the former fifth overall pick in 2006 had come under heavy fire north of the border for his failure to lead the struggling Leafs to the promised land.