Phil Kessel: First in our hearts, last in the fantasy draft

Phil Kessel was picked first in the NHL fantasy draft last night! But only if you wake up this morning and watch it backwards.

That's right. Last. He was picked... last. Our magnificent bastard lone representative at tomorrow's All-Star game is now the NHL equivalent of a clumsy nerd in grade school. Instead of donning a visor for tomorrow’s game, he may as well wear thick glasses with masking tape. I hope there's enough room on his jersey for a number, surname and the hand-scrawled "KICK ME" sign Team Lidstrom teammates are sure to slap on his back before the third period.

Man alive, that fantasy draft took me back to Grade 8 gym class.

Standing near a hastily erected volleyball net in red shorts that were three sizes too big. Wearing a fake smile that telegraphed both personal shame and a silent cry for help, like I was posing for a picture that would be mailed to potential sponsor parents.

Trying not to make eye contact with the pretty girls. Hoping the popular boys didn't decide today would be another great day to shove me into my locker or mock the picture of Greg Terrion glued to my biology binder.

Waiting, waiting, and waiting for my name to be called.

And if you substitute "Team Staal" for Team Heather, "Team Lidstrom" for Team Johnny and "Phil Kessel" for "The Skinny Guy With Black Hair, I Forget His Name," my experience usually went something like this:

1. Cam Ward (Team Staal)
2. Steven Stamkos (Team Lidstrom)
3. Alexander Ovechkin (Team Staal)
4. Duncan Keith (Team Lidstrom)
5. Daniel Sedin (Team Staal)
6. Henrik Sedin (Team Lidstrom)
7. Zdeno Chara (Team Staal)
8. Shea Weber (Team Lidstrom)
9. Rick Nash (Team Staal)
10. Tim Thomas (Team Lidstrom)
11. Henrik Lundqvist (Team Staal)
12. Daniel Briere (Team Lidstrom)
13. Marc Staal (Team Staal)
14. Dustin Byfuglien (Team Lidstrom)
15. Patrick Sharp (Team Staal)
16. Jonathan Toews (Team Lidstrom)
17.Dan Boyle (Team Staal)
18. Marc-Andre Fleury (Team Lidstrom)
19. Carey Price (Team Staal)
20. Jonas Hiller (Team Lidstrom)
21. Jeff Skinner (Team Staal)
22. Brad Richards (Team Lidstrom)
23. Kris Letang (Team Staal)
24. Keith Yandle (Team Lidstrom)
25. Claude Giroux (Team Staal)
26. Brent Burns (Team Lidstrom)
27. Erik Karlsson (Team Staal)
28. Martin Havlat (Team Lidstrom)
29. Corey Perry (Team Staal)
30. Anze Kopitar (Team Lidstrom)
31. Patrik Elias (Team Staal)
32. Matt Duchene (Team Lidstrom)
33. David Backes (Team Staal)
34. Loui Eriksson (Team Lidstrom)
35. Paul Stastny (Team Staal)
36. Phil Kessel (Team Lidstrom)

It's an awful feeling to be picked dead last by your peers. And while the All-Star game is just good fun – and Kessel was rewarded for this dubious distinction with $20,000 for the charity of his choice and a new Honda CR-Z – the fantasy draft was yet another wedgie for Leaf fans this season.

Does this mean anything? Is it a shot at Kessel? A shot at the Leafs, the city of Toronto... us?

What does it mean?

While you're thinking about this, I'll just be over here, baking a new batch of lemon squares for the weekend.

 

Never mind the popular kids, Phil! Pay no heed to their inside jokes and wild stories about the party you weren't invited to last night! Don't pull their fingers when they ask and do not take a closer look inside that garbage can!

Stay focused! Light it up tomorrow! Make us proud! Revenge...

 

PHOTO: CHRIS SEWARD/RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER/MCT

Comments

[Pussy Galore]

Poetic justice if Phil somehow manages to do enough to win the All-Star game vehicle as well.

[Princess Mononoke]

I admit it. I got up at 6:30 this morning to read what VM would have to say about last night's spectacle. Honestly, I was sweating too until I realized that, if it hadn't been for Jonas Heller, Carey Price would have been the last goalie chosen.

As for Kessel, perhaps he can tap into a transformative level of shame and emerge a pumped-up force of white-hot offensive intensity, a mini-Ovechkin for the remainder of the season.
I know a guy who was always picked on and chosen last in high-school gym, and he went on to do the Iron Man. As he became delirious from exhaustion, thoughts of being humiliated by his high-school gym teacher kept him going towards the finish line.
Ya never know!

VM Replies: Transformative shame? How are Leaf fans supposed to know what that means, Princess?

[moe green]

I predict Kessel scores two... including the winner. Maybe this is just the kick in the pants he needs. The reality of being picked last amongst his peers might just awaken the sleeping.. er... giant in him? Please.

VM Replies: At least he got a new car. I could use a new car.

[Alecia]

Headline from Sunday: "Phil Kessel Unexpected MVP Wins Second Car".

But really, we all knew he was going to go last didn't we? It's not so much that Phil Kessel goes last, it's that Toronto Maple Leafs are picked last. If Kessel played for another team, he surely wouldn't have been the last man standing. At least he took it in stride and I am glad that as a cancer survivor, he gets to donate that money to cancer research.

I don't care how much people don't like him on ice, Phil Kessel is a class act off the ice.

VM Replies: Your psychic abilities now include headlines? Good to know.

[JP]

never liked watching the last kids picked makes me feel sympathetic as the others laughed and ridiculed IE staal/ovechkin/kane these actions will not be forgotten by current players. oh yeah and this is a stupid idea for professional hockey Shanahan and blake would never submit themselves to this in their playing days but the ALL revel in watching it now that they are old and retired

VM Replies: My wife more or less said the exact same thing this morning. And she doesn't follow hockey. She couldn't believe pro athletes were subjected to potentially humiliating, populist gimmicks.

[Peter]

This is a big-time shot against Kessel, the Leafs and the city of Toronto. To be picked last by your peers, who are the group that matters the most, is a huge insult to the guy. Man, I can't believe he took it with a smile on his face--I would be hugely pissed off.

You know, before this draft I wasn't on Kessel's bandwagon at all. I always thought he had incredible talent, and could hit 40 goals easily if he had better linemates, but I always questioned his heart and enthusiasm.

Now, I'm all on the Kessel bandwagon. This guy needs to step up at the All Star Game itself and show his "captain", that jerk-off Eric Staal, he should have been picked higher. Maybe this will finally light a fire underneath the guy and get his heart in the game.

And what was with Eric Staal's comment about Toronto not being a true media market? I know he was trying to be witty/funny, but really, was that necessary? It was insulting enough that a Toronto player was picked last. So YES, this was a shot against the Leafs. Burke should be FUMING mad.

[Ostrich Lover]

Man I hate the allstar break. The game is boring, the draft was the most boring thing i have ever watched. I dont feel to bad for Phil though, he is still a millionare and now has a car he doesnt want or need. I also suspect it was prearranged so that no feelings got hurt.

VM Replies: Hey! Look who it is! I'll need your address so I can forward some mail that arrived yesterday.

[Princess Mononoke]

I'm not sure what transformative shame *is*, but I know what it isn't:
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/02/09/12799611-sun.html

VM Replies: Linking to an old Vesa Toskala story? Are you trying to get me to pour vodka into my lemon square mix?

[Princess Mononoke]

An old Toskala story from the Sun, no less!!
Mwahahahahahahahaha......{rubbing Habs-logo-gloved hands together}...
Look, it's Saturday...maybe you can concoct lemon-Jell-o vodka shots.
And publish the recipe.

[Robert]

Wow, Kessel picked last in one of the most boring, long, unentertaining pieces of hockey promotion I have ever witnessed! Thank goodness for James Duthie. I also felt sorry for this young multi-millionaire sitting with as much of a grin as he could muster, like the prisoner before the scaffold. But he got through it and I was happy for the person. Now, he should get to play with a 'gifted' centre and we will see the real Phil Kessel at his best. Having said the forgoing, the idea of the fantasy draft isn't a bad one, just poorly executed. Next year it could be better.
I don't want to say anything derogative about Kessel today, I hope he has a good all star game and enjoys himself. (Whew!) One last observation, Kenny B is right, it is the action or words that are idiotic rather than the individual. This way we can insult each others ideas and still be friends at Vinnie's summer beer break!
Oh, would someone mention this to Vinnie?

[waffles2010]

Hello Leaf fans. Quite the turn of events last nite. Last, no one wants to go last in a draft by their peers. I don't think Kessel would have agreed beforehand to go last. He already endures a lot of crap said about him. No way he agrees to add fuel to the fire.
The only positive from that draft is the possible motivation that Phil can draw from that HUGE slap in the face. Each and every one of his peers 'dissed' him. He should be irate. I would be incensed that they embarrassed an NHL veteran, instead of a rookie.
The game on Sunday will be garbage time, just a nice little skate. They missed a real opportunity to make it fun. Pick David Backes last, he promised to pay the other players back for taking him last. He was going to body check the opposition into submission if he was last. That would have been fun.
I honestly believe this gets Phil off his a$$ in the second half of the season. He comes up huge for Toronto after the break.
I am really apprehensive about this prediction. If I am wrong and this doesn't motivate Kessel to be great. He has farther to go to be an NHL superstar than even I thought he did.

[Alecia]

Oh yes, can someone please explain Staal's comments when he picked Stastny over Kessel and said "It's not like Toronto is a big hockey market"... um, What?

I get that it's sarcasm, but why/how is that relevant?

[Randy Hawes]

This was a shot at The Toronto Maple Leafs, pure and simple. Perfect example of how reviled they are around the league, as an entity. Phil Kessel is a very good hockey player and didn't deserve to be picked last. But then, this is a group of All-Stars .. not one of them deserved to be picked last.
No, this wasn't a shot against Kessel. It was aimed straight at the Leafs hockey club. The ownership/management should sit up and take notice.

[Frank]

Here is my take on being picked last from a Habs fan.
It's likes being picked to go to Heaven and you happen to be the last person picked.
Now that's not so bad after all is it ?

[Rizzler79]

Lets face it Leaf fans, Kessel should not be even be representing Leaf Nation at this weekends events. If they are going to choose the best player from the Leafs this it should've been McCarthur. Who knows perhaps this will ignite Kessel!.

[Billy Biroux]

No way would they let a player from an American team be picked last. Not good for marketing. So instead they leave a player from the NHL's top money maker for last. Because they know it won't hurt ticket sales in Toronto. And second, we're a Canadian city. And we just don't matter down there.

[Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

My gut tells me this is rock bottom, boys. Thank God. Time to begin the slow clap for the Leafs' effort from here on in. Hang on, the ride up to tenth place is gonna be a doozy!

[Dave]

Okay Toronto, seriously who was surprised by this? The Leafs are a bottom feeder team and Kessel is an average player who has failed to impress in Toronto. I can't decide whats more amusing; Kessel getting picked last or that Toronto will be giving away its first round pick yet again this year because of Kessel.

This pround sports moment sponsored by Brian Burke...

[Al]

It was obvious from the first two picks that the Staal and Lidstrom had made deals beforehand. It there was any doubt, there wasn't after the Sedin brothers went one after the other. I wouldn't be suprised if picking Kessel last was preordained. That said, Kessel wouldn't be there without the rule requiring all teams to have representation so he can't really complain.

[Simon]

Did anyone watch Off the Record yesterday? Taylor Hall was asked to finish this sentence: "I'm amazed with..."

He said Phil Kessel. I'm not ashamed of our Phil, and I really don't care what people say!

But Lansbridge's look after Hall's answer was epic.

[Bill]

I couldn't have been happier to see Kessel get picked last! While I am not a fan of his in the least (nor a fan of the horrible trade that brought him to Toronto), I am more excited that hopefully the embarrassment of getting picked last amongst his peers might motivate Kessel to start playing at his potential. Fingers crossed!

PS: someone needs to get that kid a stylist - he was an ugly gold chain away from being a cheap Eastern bloc pimp!

[Robert]

When you consider as they were picked, their team sweaters arrived, right colour, right number, name on the back. Who is the psychic. Gary Batman? I suppose being the NHL they had two sets made so they could auction them off later.

[red5]

At least they included Kessel in the picture. Wait...

[Steve G]

-19? Instead of the typical hockey nickname ("Kessy" probably), I suggest "Windchill".

only way this would have been funnier was if Lidstrom said he was trading his 1st 3 picks over the next 2 years for Kessel.

[DKC]

This won't be the last time this year Kessel comes last.

[Kelsey]

Unfortunately, when it comes to the "school yard" style of picking a team, someone has to come last. And although it's the last thing a Toronto Maple Leafs fan needs, it was a leaf that was picked last. As upset as I have been with Kessel throughout this season, I really felt bad for him at that moment. It was quite the burn from his NHL peers. But, like so many have said, maybe this will ignite the fire underneath him that's been dwindling this past season. He's a great player, and a great guy, and just maybe he will come through and prove a lot of people wrong. Fingers crossed. As they are while watching every Leafs game.

Also, maybe next year they can do more of a random draw and spare the feelings of the last one picked. Just a thought..

[TimB]

Great.Phil"Milhouse Van Houten"Kessel.

[joe]

Pre-Arranged, I agree that these teams are pre-set because how else can they put the last names of the person selected when they are called up!

The only thing the players weren't sure about was the last pick getting the car and the charity donation on their behalf because of Erikkson's reaction and Phil Kessel not paying any attention and quickly wanted to sit down in the last seat on Team Lidstrom was pretty funny.

FIX! Conspiracy against Toronto and leaf nation continues!

Marc Stall was pretty funny. Jonathan Toews, I felt seems really uncomfortable at trying to be funny.

I think would be a good match up for Roberto Loungo and Stefan, Peter, Henrik, and Daniel Sedin brothers Versus Cam Ward and Eric, Marc, Jordan, Jared Stall brothers.

Call it "Stalls versus Sedins"

[Tebor]

The thing about Kessel going last is he did not look healthy... Amongest all that talent he did not look like a pro athlete. Kessel looked like he would much rather be on the couch with a bag of Lays and a cold beer watching the game. He looks wrose than Wellwood did a few years ago when he ended up wtih the nick name "pork chop" wow Burkie getting Kessel to the All Star game is just salt in the wound for us leaf fans!

[Trevor]

I have heard all this speculation that this thing was fixed due to the jerseys already having the number and names on the back... Di you guys not watch the whole thing when the rookies came out the had both jerseys and after they flipped the puck they put on the right ones... All those jerseys will be autioned off or something later I bet. I also agree that Kessel did not look healthy he does not look like a pro Athlete against all those All Stars he did not look like he belonged. I dont for see this Kessel thing ending well unless Burke forces him to get into To Pro All SStar shape very very soon! haha Prok Chop we should find a name for Kessel how about "NLD Never late for dinner" LMAO!!! Kessel is a FATSO!!!!!

[Alecia]

Maybe we are paying too much attention to this. It IS a "fantasy" draft afterall and everybody who was there is an elite hockey player, yes, even Kessel.

In reality, Kessel was picked 3rd in the draft so that's nothing to feel bad about.

[john]

I guess it shows just how burke got duped when no one else in the all star game wanted him, just very sad to see the leafs this bad and dont say in the same breathe about looking down the road.

[Peter]

One way the NHL could have avoided the last player pick from being "embarrassed" would have been with a slightly different format that would allow the captains to either pick or send players. Say both captains picked their 2 preferred centers; instead of picking a third center, a captain could choose to send one of the remaining centers to the other team rather than picking a player for his team. The captain could also load the other team with its 4 centers, thus defaulting the remaining centers to his team. This would have been a more interesting and strategic format as well. In the end, the last player to be designated to a team may not necessarily be the least preferred player for either team.

[Dave Ross]

Another scathing indictment of MLSE. The organization is the epitome of GREED and INCOMPETENCE.

[Rooney]

I have to laugh at the anti-Leaf sentiment by those fans who cheer for other teams. I can only guess it is because when the Leafs show up in your team's city there will always be a lot of loyal Toronto fans having fun in your building. We are not fair-weather fans, most of us try to be critical while remaining loyal. We are generally happy our team is financially sound and is not always asking for handouts or threatening to shut down and move somewhere else every year. Yes, we want a Cup and hope the organization does as well. I do worry that if Toronto does win it all one day that you anti-Leaf fans will jump off a building. What will you do to entertain yourself then? Your own team? Probably not! That said, even your best shots at our current under-performing team, reeks of jealously. Assuming the draft last night was not fixed, it clearly was about "who you know" as opposed to "what you have done". Once Price was taken, Hiller could only have gone to Team Lidstrom. So basically Team Lidstrom wasted its next pick by choosing Hiller. Oh well, boys will be boys. I wish the NHL would get back to hockey and knock off its attempt to win fans who are not true hockey fans. I do have a newfound respect for all of the players that were taken in last four rounds or so. A lot of class boys, actually you behaved like men, not really used to that in this day and age.

[Bob_omb]

I don't know why people are concerned or why the players would be, their making a lot of money to entertain us. If I was making that kind of money, I wouldn't flinch getting picked last. I don't understand the anti-Toronto sentiment and can only attribute it to the hockey media's constant negative portrayal of southern markets.

[Steve Barber]

it was like watching a car crash, you can't look away wondering if the passengers will make it out alive. Kessel survived but lost his pride in the carnage. Doubt any real hockey player in the future will submit themselves to this kind of humiliation again.

[Alecia]

Who is Rooney, where did he/she come from and why isn't he/she here more often?

*breaks into applause*

[Scouty McBean]

This was a terrible way for major league hockey to treat its players at a time when we are supposed to celebrate the game. Why, why, would they want to embarrass their own players by subjecting them to this humiliation. It was awful to watch and pathetic that the league feels they have to resort to this to attract American fans.

[John Baltic]

Thank God the Zamboni wasn't up for grabs.

[Ken Baumgartner]

What was so wrong with the draft for the allstar game? I loved it and from what I could tell so did they. I wish they would have had a road hockey last night for the send off. It would have made it even better. The game is going to be the best all star game in a long time because the team will want bragging rights I am sure. I have no doubt that other sports will follow suit because of the intrigue.

Rooney, you are welcome on this blog any time. All we want is to enjoy our team, good and bad (mostly bad for a while now sadly) and let the bully's go play with themselves somewhere else. One day the Leafs will win the Stanley cup and the whole country will erupt in celebration. The bully's know it so they need to get their digs in now while they can.

Personally I will want to be in a bar or a box with everyone on this blog celebrating with you all because it has been that much fun.

[Thunder Blood]

Kessel picked lasted, big surprise. Anyone who knows anything about hockey knows Kessel is not a all star, his peers confirmed this. Who cares if Kessel scores 40 goals one day, he'll be on the ice for 80, net return -40. Until Kessel learns or wants to play defense, take a hit, he'll always be a one dimensional, soft, predictable player.

[Boo Who?]

If it took you back Vinay, it took me back as well. Because I was always that kid that went up to the towering oafs that thought picking on other kids was funny and telling them something about themselves that made their faces drain of colour. Totally irrational and instinctual, because half the time I didn't even know or like the nerd I was defending, and I'd end up getting followed around by him for months afterward and having to endure endless teasing from our classmates because everyone saw me stick up for him. And I put up with it, because better me than him, since I usually had a clever comeback and they were never gonna beat me up anyway. But dammit Kessel, if I kick these big kids in the shins and tell you to run, you'd better start playing some real hockey for me!

[josh]

the best part of the show was the hot babes bringing the jerseys and taking their jackets

[hoofheartz]

We've got our own hot babes here Josh, and smart I might add.

[SL]

Any Leaf player would've been picked last!! It just so happened it was Kessel. You're telling me Staal and Lidstrom would've picked Grabbo or MacArthur a lot earlier because of who they are? Enough of the Kessel shouldn't be there BS. He is there, he's our player, support him, not tear him down.

[Alecia]

I have to say it.....

I really miss those blue and white bastards.

[Arthur Bailey]

1) I didn't think it was a big deal for who ever got picked last. And then Phil Kessel got picked last, and suddenly it felt like a personal insult. So much for my original feeling.

2) How is giving a player $20,000 and a Car not circumventing the salary cap? No, it did not come from his team, but it is still an extra incentive provided by the league or NHLPA. If this is allowed, what is stopping the 30 teams from giving money to the NHLPA(or whoever is funding this) for the sole purpose of "rewarding" everyone who gets selected for the All-Star game? A great way to reward you best player(s) and circumvent the cap???

[Rooney]

@Alecia, you made me laugh! Rooney is a "he" and is here frequently. I seem to learn more from VM and the faithful Leaf regulars on this blog than from the "hockey" experts that get paid to write about hockey for a living. Whether its those Leaf fans that understand the game and the team or those that have almost had enough (or have had enough) or the faithful or those that are just blind followers, I enjoy reading about it all. I especially love the humour we all still have even at the worst of times. But it is those anti-Leaf hypocrites or those that have nothing better to do but to put down or bully Leaf fans that really get me going enough to usually post a comment.

I have seen the Buds play across this great country and for the most part have had a great time before, during and after games, win or lose. It is always only a few anti-Leaf meat heads that try to ruin it for everyone. This blog seems no different. @Ken, I am with you brother, one day, it will be a great cause for celebration across the nation. Just not sure what the haters will be able to use to make themselves feel good when it happens.

[Sensi-Bill]

@Rooney
"I have to laugh at the anti-Leaf sentiment by those fans who cheer for other teams."
I have to laugh at the anti-everyone-else sentiment from those fans who cheer for the Leafs.
So many Leaf fans seem to believe that their team has somehow been anointed, despite it's long history of underachieving, and that Leaf Nation is the only true "religion."
"I can only guess it is because when the Leafs show up in your team's city there will always be a lot of loyal Toronto fans having fun in your building."
Why do some Leaf fans insist on acting as if this is some amazing phenomenon UNIQUE to the Leafs? It's been noted and confirmed many times that it's a universal phenomenon. Certain Leaf fans can turn a blind eye, but it DOES happen with most, if not all NHL teams. 
Whichever team comes to town, there's pretty much ALWAYS some of their fans mixed in with the local majority.
I've even noted here a couple of times that from first-hand knowledge, I can confirm that when the Canucks came to play my Senators earlier this season, there were far more Canuck fans in the house than Leaf fans when Toronto comes to town.
So please, wake up and accept reality. Take a look at any televised game, especially outside of Toronto, and you will see fans wearing the visiting teams jerseys and cheering for that team.
You simply don't corner that market, so get over yourself and stop clinging to your desperate, busted-long-ago, Leaf-fan myths.
And if the Leafs should some day win it all, we might fall over in surprise but we WON'T be jumping off any roofs. LOL
(My Lord, overrate yourself and your team much?)
As for jealousy, hard to envy a team that has gone so many decades without winning anything significant.
And please don't bring up that other misguided myth, that weird bit of wishful thinking that claims that the majority of Canadians would pick the frequently worst team in the country as "Canada's team."
Support your team. Be positive. But stick to reality and stop annoying the rest of the country with your embarrassing fantasies and delusions.

[Sensi-Bill]

Why do I get the feeling that a least SOME Leaf fans would have been MORE disappointed and outraged if Phil Kessel had NOT been picked last?
Like maybe he was picked second- or third-last? He and his fans --- and even his non-fans within Leaf Nation --- could still feel embarrassed and insulted, but not as much. And Phil wouldn't get the charity donation in his name or the new car.
C'mon folks. Everyone knew back when this whole format was announced that SOMEONE had to end up as the last pick. Would you be screaming in outrage if it had been someone like Paul Stasny? Or Eric Karlsson? Or Patrik Elias?
Actually it could have been Karlsson, who was the last defenseman picked, except that all of the defenseman had to be picked by the end of the 15th round.
As a Sens fan, would I have been upset if young Mr. Karlsson HAD been picked last? Nope. Not in the least.
And I don't think he would have had to take it as an insult, or be embarrassed.
Simply because young Eric and I realize that . . .
--- He's most likely only there because the league likes to have at least one player from each team. A rule I've always liked.
--- He's young and still has a lot to learn and to master to round out his game.
--- Though he scores a lot of goals, he's also got a fairly high minus rating.
--- The team still hasn't found the best on-ice partner for him.
Gee, any of this sounding familiar? Any of this apply as well to a certain young forward whose initials are P.K.?
So I think if we're honest, and drop the everyone's-against-us mentality for a moment, we can admit that young Phil had the credentials --- or lack thereof --- to be a legitimate last pick
And he was projected in advance as such by so many hockey analysts, that it should have hardly come as a surprise.
What DID surprise me was the degree of disdain I felt was shown in the posture and looks of the other players, and aimed at Kessel, even from those who otherwise felt a little sorry for him.
I can only guess his reputation from Boston and Toronto preceded him. Which to me would mean that any slights, real or imagined, that he might encounter from his peers would have nothing to do with him being a Leaf.
He smiled a lot and tried to fit in, I guess, but I just didn't see anyone who might be the least bit anxious to have him on their line.
Of course it COULD be my imagination, but it was the feeling I got just watching.
Still, the bottom line is that everyone knew that someone was going to be picked last. And I think the shame and embarrassment factors have been terribly overrated --- and overstated.

[reidaustin]

kessel getting picked last, is this some big surprise.i thought when the leafs went out of there way to get him regardless of the picks we gave away i thought burke was on the right path, we thought sundin needed that one player give him greatness,i have now realized, you could give kessel wayne or mario it still would not improve his game. all he is a small fish in a big pond.i really thought he had talent but i guess it dumbs you down playing for the leafs. its a privledge playing for the leafs, alot of people went on the thinking he was the heir apparent. i have been waiting and supporting the leafs for close to 50 years. he is talented but such a waste of greatness. please brian do something just anything and stop giving the the fans a song and a dance.

[Ken Chevis]

Until the "Last Of The All-Stars", I thought the biggest joke in the GTA was the Maple Leafs. Kessel? Please, spare me! I see the dirty little hands of Burke all over this one. What do you apologists say about all of the more-deserving players that were passed over, including one or two on the TML team?

[Bhavik Patel]

Phil is an All-Star and he is OUR All-Star. He is a very good player and although he was chosen last, he definately did not deserve it, that being said, somebody had to be picked last and he handled it with class, he gave us, as big of a smile as he could muster. I was proud of how he handled it, and made me feel proud as a leafs fan (proudest this season), that a classy guy like kessel was representing us, im sure if Dion was there, and picked last, he would of checked Staal right off the stage. Kessel is a Cancer SURVIVOR and continues to play in the NHL, that is also ALL-STAR worthy, he's been through a great deal, and i know there is a fire burning inside him to prove his peers wrong, and he will, just watch and see.

[Al Cleverdon]

Most of you people are taking this wayyy too seriously.It was a fun thing.Some of you need to get a sense of humour and not read everything into a "statement" against MLSE.AS for your comments re: Kessell as being fat and out of shape and not looking like an athlete, why don't you just quit with the personal attacks.I can see negative people like yourselves going home and kicking your dogs every day. I agree the draft could have been much more fun and done better and "if" you think it's so embarassing to be picked last out of most of the best 40 hockey players in the world then have the last 4 players (2 for each team) picked out of a hat simultaneously.Simple.

[hoofheartz]

Sensi-Bill, whats with the long winded posts? Brevity will work just as well, won't it?

[leafland'r]

@ Al ( re:9:41am)
Good idea, Al. A lottery draw with the final four would just about eliminate the the last-guy-on-the-wall position. Send it to the organizers.

[Michael C. Nemirsky]

The fact of Phil Kessel being chosen last does not bother me. Eric Staal's comment towards the city of Toronto and its great fans does. I do believe that Carolina at one time (maybe not so much since they won the cup), had there hands out to receive funds from the gate equilization tax that year after bloody year Toronto is the largest contibutor. Phil handled the dubious honor with grace and dignity. This above all should be proof that the Leaf nation can withstand what ever envy other fans throw at us. And, another thing that pisses me off more than what happened on Friday night, Pierre McGuire being right. That two-faced piece of crap has a hate on for the leafs something fierce. For example, Dion Phaneuf, with Calgary, and now with the leafs. He was always his MONSTER with the flames, now, he barely gets recognition he is on the ice.

[Alecia]

I like that everyone is trying to come up with ideas of ways this could have been done better but I think we are missing the point... this is exactly what Bettman and his friends planned for.

[Rooney]

@Bill, wow that's a lot of animosity for 6:00 a.m. I know you are a regular here but I was not actually trying to be arrogant (but should have expected a Senators fan to interpret it that way). I can only go based on my personal experience. I was born and raised in Toronto. I lived in Edmonton for three years (so, yes, I have a soft spot for the Oilers). Nothing beats attending a game live. Over the years I have had more success getting tickets outside of Toronto (Ottawa, Montreal, Buffalo, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver). Not always for Leaf games. Of course, all teams have fans in all buildings but you are truly kidding yourself if you think the numbers of fans and the fan experience are remotely comparable for all teams. From my personal experience, I can tell that you cannot compare the Leaf fan experience (or the Habs fan for that matter) in Edmonton or Calgary to that of the when the Senators are in town. My wife and I watched the Senators play at the Saddledome many moons ago (I drag her to many hockey games even though she is not a big hockey fan) and even she said she thought it was weird how quiet the few Sens fans in the crowd actually were. I had to tell her that she was spoiled because she is used to the Leaf fan experience when visiting other Canadian arenas. There is a difference, a huge difference, even with our continued futility. I hate to tell you this but just as all teams are not created equally, neither are all fan bases. I guess that is why you are here with our VM and not with his Ottawa equivalent? I know there isn't one but I assume you will tell me I am delusional about that as well.

[hoofheartz]

Rooney, please do a guest blog. You have captured the very essence of what it is to be a Leaf fan. As to your assertion that the Leaf fan base is differnt than any other, you have to look no further than the recent Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver road trip to truly get an idea of how far and wide Leaf Nation is spread. Outside of Ottawa, how many Go Sens Go chants do you ever really hear as opposed to when the Leafs are playing and the Go Leaf Go chants start up?

[enJoy hockey]

Rooney, you're getting up there with Vinay and Alecia in my estimation. Heads on straight and hearts in the right blue place.

[Steve G]

if you guys think having a few 100 fans of the away team yell "go (team) go" a half dozen times over 2.5 hours is the pinnacle of a live sporting experience, then I suggest you broaden your horizons a bit.

start by going to a few soccer games in the UK and see how much you get for $45 instead of $150.

[hoofheartz]

Steve, thats because soccer is so f**king boring the fans have to be druken hooligans to make up for their boredom.

[Alecia]

Soccer games in the UK???

Now we are talking about other sports.. in other countries!?

[80s Leafs]

Hopefully Phil is mentored to handle reporters' questions about this "slight" the same way Phil Michelson handled the "Best Golfer to Never Win a Major" mantle he wore until finally winning the Masters in 04. The generic reporter would start out, "Phil, you are still considered the best golfer to never win one, and..." and before the reporter could finish his thought, Lefty would interject, "Thank you, Bill, I consider it a compliment" thereby completely nullifying the negative edge the reporter was driving for.

Kessel is a frickin all star, period. Picked last or not! By the way, does he have to drive that car home from Carolina himself?

VM Replies: My guess is that car will be lost in a poker game at some point.

[Rooney]

@Hoofheartz, I appreciate the suggestion. Since it came from you, I will consider it but I have to tell you that I am not a writer (or a fighter)! @enJoy hockey, that is just it, I love the game (not as an expert but as fan). Trust me, I suffer and get frustrated with the best of them as the boys have not won it all in my life time but I can't say I would want to cheer for any other team. I have great childhood memories supporting this team. My family could never afford to go to any Leaf games when I was young but we got cheap free/discount tickets to see the Marlies play at the Gardens (which usually came with a Leafs practice). The players would take time for the kids and toss pucks up into the stands after the practice. It was awesome. I do bleed blue and white and I have been treated very well wearing the blue and white by most fans in the cities I have visited. It is only the haters that I do not have time. Leaf fans get treated differently than a lot of fans from other teams which can also make an experience very different. Talking about different sports, a couple of years of ago, a couple of colleagues/friends (from Ottawa - Sens fans!) and I were in Boston for company training. We were very lucky that one of our colleagues from the Boston office managed to get tickets for us to go see a Red Sox game in Fenway. I, of course, was wearing a Leafs T-shirt. I was mocked by all of the Bosox/Bruin fans. From the "you don't even know what sport you are watching" to all of the standard Leaf jokes. I kept trying to direct some of the ridicule towards the Sens fans with me but nobody in the crowd cared about the Sens. Everyone had a lot of fun at my expense but the best part was I did not have to pay for a single beer after the game as my newfound Bosox/Bruin "friends" covered my tab. My Sens buddies were not so lucky.

[TG77]

On a more positive note, Keith Aulie is playing in the AHL All-Star game this weekend and is a nice piece for the future it seems. Joey Crabb was on the roster too. Kinda crazy that Cheechoo is on the AHL all-star squad now after scoring 50 a few years ago.

@ Bill - I usually respect and read what you have to say but honestly, you seem to have a bit of a hate for the city of Toronto and often make wide sweeping statements about Leafs fans (and Torontonians in general) being arrogant, ethno-centric and so on.

@ Steve G - how much is a flight to the UK from Toronto going for these days? Hopefully less than $105.

[Steve G]

@ Hoofheartz:

clever comeback! I play hockey and soccer weekly, and watch both - in person and on tv. to call one 'boring' is a matter of perspective, but rest assured that the only 2 Leaf games I've been to this year (last 2 Saturdays - v Caps and Flames) were much more snooze-inducing than the worst of the half dozen games I saw in England recently. and in-venue the atmosphere isn't even worth trying to compare. and there no hooligans - they went out when bench-clearing brawls did here. just a couple thousand travelling fans with clever, witty songs and responses for pretty much every scenario. no noise meters, sponsor-driven filler every time out or canned organ music from the 70's. and most of the people there may have even paid for their own tickets. I love both sports, but was honestly trying to suggest something that would put 1,000 Leaf (or Hab) fans at Northlands or HSBC in perspective. don't be afraid.....

@ TG77 - my flight was free, I went on points I'd been building up for years. and the beers at the stadiums were $6, not $14

[hoofheartz]

At least the Leafs came away with a 1st in something this allstar weekend. Congrats Ronnie on being voted the coach the players least wanted to play for.

Steve G: in no way was I trying for the clever comeback. Consider my comment my perspective on soccer and the sleep inducing pace of the game. Playing it I'm sure is something entirely different.

[B's fan]

As long as Kessel no longer wears a Bruins jersey I could care less what happens to him.

[Sensi-Bill]

@hoofheartz
"Sensi-Bill, whats with the long winded posts?"
Well, I guess often times that's just my style, though I've noticed I'm hardly alone in posting longer comments.
Of course trying to avoid making blanket statements by identifying the sources of the opinions and statements I am discussing adds words.
As does backing up statements by offering examples and such.
I guess "Leaf Nation sucks" is nice and brief, but it's usually only a portion of Leaf Nation that I'm dealing with, and "sucks" is so vague and so generic it not only does't really mean anything, it's hardly conducive to mature discussion.
Oh dear, this is getting lon . . .

[80s Leafs]

If you could "care less" then that means you actually do care some amount at the present time. Get over it, man, Kessel is a Leaf now. Sorry to say you're stuck with Savard and his 7 mill per headache.
.

[Sensi-Bill]

@Rooney
I guess animosity may be like beauty --- in the eye of the beholder. I certainly wasn't feeling any animosity. Some annoyance and frustration, which cost me a bunch of words --- and a sort of reprimand from Hoofheartz for writing too long --- to convey.
"I guess that is why you are here with our VM and not with his Ottawa equivalent?"
Well I'm already on record here about why I enjoy coming here. I've also noted that I've been an active follower of The Spin from before I even discovered this blog.
And for the record I occasionally read and reply to a couple more blogs from Star staff, though they are not on hockey.
I also follow/participate in blogs from other media sources, like TSN and the CBC.
I currently have links to close to two dozen Sens-specific blogs in my bookmarks. I don't get to them all on a regular basis, but I do get to my favourites pretty regularly.
So far, my Bookmarks actually hold multiple links to blogs relating to 18 out of 30 NHL teams.
(Darn, there I go with the too-much-information thing again, which leads to longish posts.)
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that as much as I like Vin (and much of the gang here), he is not the only name on my dance card, if that was what you were getting at.

VM Replies: What? Not the only name on your dance card? I feel so betrayed.

[Sensi-Bill]

OK. I give up. Pass the blue Kool-Aid. It's the only way to wash down the delusional dogma and swallow the party line.
Yes, the Leafs have the loudest and proudest group of fans cheering them on in enemy arenas.
Which makes me wonder why the weird silence back home in the ACC. A silence not just noted but also bemoaned by Leaf fans posting here.

[Sensi-Bill]

Was Phil Kessel the best player during the All-Star game?
Not by a long shot.
The worst? From the mix of give aways and failures to convert in around the net that I saw, I think there was a very strong chance he was.
Certainly no second car for being named MVP, which is what Burke promised he would be.
Oh wait a minute. It wasn't Burke who posted such promises here. (wg)

[Sensi-Bill]

Are Leaf fans chanting "Go Leafs, Go!" in enemy rinks so noticeable because, unlike back home at the ACC, they aren't exiled to the out-of-sight, out-of-mind nosebleed sections?

[hoofheartz]

See Bill, that was almost the perfect post. You got your point across, you admitted you were wrong, you're now a proud member of Leafs Nation and most importantly, you've asked one of the questions that bothers a lot of us. Why are Leaf fans louder in enemy rinks than they are at home?

[pinot grigio]

Damien Cox also wrote a piece comparing Kessel to Semin in Washington. It is an appropriate comparison; both are 'luxury' players, the type of player that is nice to have if you have a solid 1st line to start with. Semin plays on the second line and sometimes during the power play, depending on what streak he is on. It is unwise to build a 1st line around Kessel. He is not exactly a clutch player and even in a game like the one today he floats happily through it all and that makes me wonder if he is still on meds that could possibly 'detach' him at times of what is going on around him.

[Ken Chevis]

"Just give Phil two decent linemates and watch him score". Unless I was reading jerseys wrong last night, that is exactly what he had. How did that turn out? Kessel...no goals, no assists. I can't wait to hear the next barrage of excuses.

[TimB]

@Ken Chevis.I posted days ago to the effect that I never watch all-star games.This year I wanted to watch for just the reason you stated.I did not have a problem with the trade but after seeing that game along with a -19,I'm getting a bad feeling.No excuses here.

[Robert]

I am sure Phil is a nice person away from the rink. I felt sorry for him last night. I don't feel sorry for him today. He is a one dimensional player, needs someone with exceptional skills to do the work for him, then his shot, which is considerable is his forte. You cannot toe drag around the NHL in this day and age, the defence catch on pretty fast. You must also continue to move around to the open areas, in order to have scoring chances. Phil has developed a bad habit of hitting the opposing goal tenders. Phil, you are supposed to miss them and hit the open net. And on. You know folks, there are so many good, young, developing players on this team that all this talk of Kessel is tiring. Let us get back to Grabbo, Mac, and the boys. They do play with some gusto! I have said all along, Wilson needs to put together a system. Last night's survey didn't do much to increase my confidence in the man.

[Sensi-Bill]

"Good morning all," he said without any animosity. (g)
Sorry. Just couldn't resist a little joke.

[hoofheartz]

I've only ever read two bloggers consistently state that Kessell would be better with the right linemates Chevis, but by all means paint us all with the same brush, it adds so much more credence to your posts when you do. BTW, I thought Kessel floated more in the Allstar game than he normally does in league play, if thats at all possible.

[Ken Chevis]

@TimB, thanks for the reasonable response. Would you mind giving hoofheartz a few lessons in civility.

[Sensi-Bill]

@Alecia
"Oh yes, can someone please explain Staal's comments when he picked Stastny over Kessel and said "It's not like Toronto is a big hockey market"... um, What? I get that it's sarcasm, but why/how is that relevant?"
.
My immediate take on that was that it was a friendly jab --- without animosity --- at the intensity of Leaf fans, in that few if any back in Colorado were likely to make a fuss if Paul Stasny was picked last.
I actually took it as a tongue-in-cheek compliment to Leaf fans regarding how passionate they are about their team.
Of course it COULD have been a case of of virtually saying "We know how crazy you are and how you scrutinize every little thing to death in search of insults and conspiracies. So here, go ahead, have fun with this."
But surely the latter scenario wouldn't apply to Leaf fans in general? Perhaps JUST a portion of Leaf Nation? (smile, to show there really isn't any animosity intended)
(Lord I should probably stop teasing Rooney back about that.) (g)

[Sensi-Bill]

Don't feel bad Vin, I might have said you weren't the only name on my dance card, but I DIDN'T say you weren't first on the list. (g)
Also fairly high up is the lovely Alecia, not just for her powers of prophesy but also for her sense of humor.
"Phil Kessel Unexpected MVP Wins Second Car"
Note how with one deft mock headline she not only pokes fun at the over blown Kessel situation but also has a little fun with her own reputation as a seer.
Gotta love a lady with a sense of humor. (g)
As for BooWho, I'm a little more leery. Either she's full of pugilistic bravado or her boss, in real life, is Dana White. (g)

[Sensi-Bill]

9:48 a.m. in the Capital.
Going back to bed now. Could say I need my beauty sleep but that train left the station a long time ago. (LOL)

[Geoff Read]

Great blog Vinay. I didn't have time to turn the computer on on the weekend, what with ferrying my son to a hockey game and assembling bedroom furniture and the like.

This line in particular made me laugh: "Wearing a fake smile that telegraphed both personal shame and a silent cry for help, like I was posing for a picture that would be mailed to potential sponsor parents."

I was reminded of one of my favourite memories from high school gym class. I was a jock but not like the other jocks - I was smart and hung out with many other kids who my teammates on the hockey and football teams were pretty convinced were nerds. Anyway, one gym class we got to play ball hockey, and I was made a team captain - I got to play the role of Staal/Lidstrom. Some jock was the other captain and he loaded his team up with fellow jocks. I on the other hand, was a bit like Eric Staal in that I chose to pick friends and assorted other social cast-offs for my team. The jock squad was clearly convinced they had it in the bag. They didn't. We kicked the living crap out of them and won the game. The social rejects I'd assembled just wanted it more. It was awesome.

Score one for the nerds!

VM Replies: You need to tell this story to the Leafs.

[hoofheartz]

@TimB - its looks as though you've been appointed as an arbitrator. Please explain to Chevis that as this is primarily a Leaf fan blog and not a place for non-Leaf fans to troll, he gets what he deserves.

[Nik Culoman]

I find it funny that the same people who rip on Kessel for being one dementional, seem to love Kaberle and never want to see him go..Isn't Kaberle one dementional as well?? All I ever hear is how great a puck mover Kabby is....But that is it...No other piece of his game is excellent or warranting all this praise..

Kaberle is a defensive liability, he doesn't check anyone or anything....Kaberle doesn't even vote because that would mean he would have to check a box on a ballot....

I'd say...Leave Kessel alone...He is a 30 goal scorer and maybe more once he hits his prime...All those who didn't pick him to be on their team will want him than.....and begging for a player like him!

[Robert]

Nik, are you on something? Kaberle does not hit people. True. He simply gets back into his own end before most of his defensive partners and gets the puck up ice. etc. But, to mention a forward with limited skills to any defence man who has a much more complex job, is rather silly. That is the idea is silly and not the person. Okay Ken? Tell you what Nik, let's get Burkie to make a two for one deal. Your Kessel and my Kaberle for, oh, say Crosby, or Nash? Or perhaps the old group Crosby, Stills and Nash? Oh, dementia might become dementional, but dimentional is different.

[leafland'r]

FANTASYLAND
Couldn't help formulating a fantasy while watching the blue and white shirts playing during the All-Star game. Can you imagine what it would be like to have those names on the back of the blue and white LEAF shirt at one time !
Oh well, at least I could pretend for one game.

[leafland'r]

IMAGINATION
I have at times wonder what it would be like to watch a regular season NHL level hockey game minus any body contact. Without the tying up of player momentum or clumsy scrambles from "taking your man out", I wonder if there would be an extremely fast skating, creative crisp puck handling plays like the ones in the ( slow motion) All-Star game. I like the game as it is, yet, there may be a demonstration of a truly fast action skillful exciting hockey game without the end to end momentum crunched by body tie-ups. Just wondering....

[Hockey Fan, therefore by Definition Not a Leaf Fan]

Well, well, another Laff making your organization and fan base proud. Well done Phil. Hey, you did register a +1 in the game. Guess your linemates at least did something.

So should be interesting to see how this world-class organization does in the next 12 games. They are playing 8 times against current Eastern non-playoff teams. They play Montreal twice also. (My Habs are in trouble at the moment with injuries).

I predict a 6-5-1 record and people will be saying that the Laff's have turned the corner, ignoring the obvious point I am making about the quality of the teams they play in this stretch. (also all within one time zone of each other, so no serious travel issues).

So, on to more important issues. Do my Habs have enough healthy horses to hang on for the playoffs? I think Carolina is gearing up and they will pass Atlanta and Montreal. The battle for 8th between Montreal and Atlanta will be tight.I wonder what the lasting repercussions on Crosby will be? Just look what happened to Savard. The implications are scary, given the physical style Crosby plays.I wonder if this is Vancouver's year? I am leaning toward a Van/Philly final, but the geniuses in Detroit might make it happen, and Tampa is getting better every day.

(The final paragraph brought to you as a courtesy to enlighten Laff fans of the fact that there is real hockey played outside of the GTA)

[leafland'r]

All Star game or Scrimmage with the boys?
With the jests and smiles after many maneuvers I got the feeling that the All Star game looked much like ( apart from the obvious skill level) the late Friday night pick-up game with the guys and a few beers. Sure, the camaraderie is great to see amongst the different NHL shirts, but the true level of skill of All Star players is not demonstrated in a casual pick up style game. Let get serious guys. Play with more speed and intensity closer to what was seen in the last minute and a half. Spread it over the 60 minutes if you want first time viewers who are part of a desired spreading market to be impressed. If one has never seen a hockey game and elected to check out the game with the best players as an evaluation, the sport may be scored merely with a C+ at best.
I don't know the contract or insurance rules, but there must be room for cranking up the momentum.

[Nik Culoman]

@ Robert?? What are you talking about?? I never said anything about a trade....But thanks for coming out....

Thomas Kaberle is a Czech...But yet doesn't check....That guy is terrible in his zone....All that stick waving stuff he does, hasn't improved his plus/minus stats....so he should just give that up..... Like I said before, he is too scared to vote, because that would mean he would have to check something.

The reason he is so fast to get back into his zone is because he is chasing the intercepted pass he just made. Have you seen his defensive zone coverage?? He is still making all the same Rookie mistakes....Never has developed into much, and with his offensive numbers on the decline...He couldn't catch us much in a trade to begin with.....

So Robert, Thanx for coming out

[Nik Culoman]

@ VM

Kaberle doesn't even vote because that would mean he would have to check a box on a ballot....

Gotta like this one Vinay ;)

[Alecia]

Was it me, or was that All-Star game rather boring? I found it was very lackluster and it left me missing regular season hockey even moreso. Is there a no-hitting rule in the All Star Game? I find it ironic that the NHL’s top stars played a game that didn’t involve hits and/or penalties, surely they can lay/take a hit. Not that I condone hits or taking stupid penalties, but the game just doesn’t seem the same without them, nor do the players. I guess I can’t complain as the All Star game is merely supposed to be a fun display of hockey but if its purpose is to get Americans into the game, I am not sure it did that. You would have to already be a fan of hockey to enjoy whatever we saw on the ice yesterday simply because you know that real hockey games have a lot more passion than that. 21 goals in a game? *yawn*

Thankfully, yes, I said thankfully, the Leafs are back tomorrow and I will be at the ACC.

[Simmer]

I enjoyed the all-star weekend. The draft was drawn out a little long, the production team for the skills competition was terrible and the all-star game lacked intensity. If you take it for what it was though - a display of the skills of the best players in the world - it was pretty entertaining.

There were bigger stories in my mind throughout the weekend than Phil getting picked last. Did anyone else notice the arena announcer making up a shot speed for Ovechkin? Or the announcer's bias toward Patrick Sharp during the accuracy shooting (Poor Toews)?

What bothered me more than anything was the rock and roll music they had blasting over everything to make the show seem "hip", and the person doing the on-ice interviews was uncomfortable to watch at best.

Still, despite all the drawbacks, the talent on display was amazing. Corey Perry's lacrosse-style shootout attempt was something most people have never seen, hardest shot and accuracy are always fun to watch, and the new event seems like a keeper. The game itself was slow, but a fun one to watch.

For those people upset about Staal's comment about Toronto. Get over it. It wasn't in the least bit a jab at Toronto, it was the fact that he wanted Stasny and threw out a little joke that really shouldn't have offended anyone because of how absurd the statement is.