Fact: I am a Leafs fan
Fact: I usually hate the way the team is put together and our general lack of patience
Fact: I hated the Kessel trade.

That being said I do think that Kessel has a ton of potential. For all of the Leafs fans that bitch that he doesn't hit and plays on the peripheral. Yup. That's what he does. And he's good at it. He's no Gretzky but did the Great One win a million puck battles? NO

Kessel is a sniper. Pure and simple.

Another fact is that he hasn't played with an above average center since leaving Boston. Is Connolly above average for a 1st line center? Probably not. Is he better than Bozak? Yup. Grabo? Yup Any other Leaf center for the past 2 years? Yup.

I prayed all summer that Richards would sign in TO because Kessel's value would shoot through the roof. Especially in a league like mine that counts double the points for goals. No dice.

But to say he won't improve on his #'s when he is still ridiculously young is wrong IMO.

I can see 37 and 39 this year. Which in my league is 111 pts not including game winners. He's a pretty valuable asset to have.

Do I think the Leafs will make the play-offs. NO
Are they better then last year. Yes but not by much.

I try to be a realist with the team I cheer for and I think I am in this situation.

Maybe I'm wrong. But maybe I'm right. But Kessel's getting better.