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Through LAS VEGAS — throughout 104 seasons of the National Hockey League — and many of the more than 1,000 Maple Leafs in person — Phil Kessel never became the league’s iron man.
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In stark contrast to Tony Stark, he seemed more like a sportswriter than a physical specimen capable of record-breaking streaks. but he was often the first to pop off the ice when the whistle ended practice.
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But when Kessel takes on the Toronto team on Monday, the ranks will include endurance Sil Apris, Borje Salming, Tim Horton, Mats Sundin and current captain Jon Tavares. Yes. He will beat it in San Jose on Tuesday.
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Gary Anger and later Doug Jarvis have held post-extension records for decades, and Keith Yandl has Others came close to it before taking Jarvis’ crown this past January. Well, in the betting capital of the world, if you’ve been betting good money at long odds in 2009, the laid-back Kessel will continue the winning streak that started as Leaf.
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Morgan Riley became Kessel’s teammate a few years later, and while Phil’s natural talent was evident, his lack of diligence was a source of fan anxiety and media glee.
“Each of them,” Liery said of Kessel, now 35, on top of such an amazing feat. “You have to find what works for you and Phil did. Behind the scenes (off camera) there’s always a lot going on. He’s had a great career. He’s a great player.
“There are many factors that have to come into play when it comes to playing 990 back to back. One is the extremely difficult hard work and commitment to play 82 games a year. Some people like to work out before practice, some like to work out before a game, you have to know your body.
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“The other thing is that I don’t accidentally injure myself at practice or in the gym. That’s pretty impressive.”
Kessel, who survived testicular cancer as a young Boston Bruin, won the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2007 for his perseverance. He was traded to the Leafs in the fall of 2009. “You can’t win a public speaking contest,” was the candid assessment of club president Brian Burke, who returned from shoulder surgery before his first match on November 3 of that year. He scored 10 of Toronto’s 41 shots in a 2–1 home loss to Tampa and hasn’t seen an IR list or press box since.
“He would never put himself in a situation where he could be run over by a defenseman,” former Pittsburgh teammate Karl Hegelin told Score. I don’t get hit by the puck, which helps.”
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His Boston center Mark Savard said Kessel is statistically one of the least hit forwards in the NHL.
When deprived of his liberty, he becomes as frustrated as any skill player, but does not risk injury in retaliation.・Prompted reprimands from Oar, insisted on scoring, and entrusted boxing to bodyguards.
In Pittsburgh, Kessel tried some cryotherapy. This is a quick cryotherapy for soft tissue injuries that appeared and disappeared in his later years.
Goal generation kept pace with his exemplary attendance of at least 20 in 12 seasons. His short bursts on the ice and wrists open The zipper on his shot is still evident and he’s yet to score in his six games heading into Monday, but forwards like him and Jack Eichel must be connected to the Knights.
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The hardest part for Kessel might be getting attention. The league recognized him on Tuesday and Vegas played Scotiabank at his arena on November 8, where fans welcomed him in his first game as a Penguin.
No, the Leafs didn’t win the trade with Boston. But he also rebelled against coaches Ron Wilson and Randy Carlyle. Carlisle expected all players to be responsible on and off the ice.
The cat-and-mouse game of Kessel’s comments often turned into a game within a game. But on other teams who weren’t in the spotlight, Kessel was more relaxed.
When he won two Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh, he made his critics laugh for the last time when he contributed gleefully behind Sidney Crosby.
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“I think he has a great sense of humor that plays those things out because he’s self-deprecating,” Lilly said. There was definitely more going on with Phil than meets the eye.”
Kessel added significance to his streak last season when daughter Capri Mary was born. He played his 30-second shift of the Coyote game in Detroit his first time, hopped on a plane awaiting his girlfriend Sandra’s delivery, and continued running straight back to the team.
lhornby@postmedia.com
Number of consecutive NHL games:
Keith Yandle 989 2009-2022
Phil Kessel 988 2009-Present
Doug Jarvis 964 1975-87
Gary Unger 914 1968-79
Patrick Marraux 910 2009-2021
Steve Larmor 884 1992-83
Andrew Coriano 830 2007-2018
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