How many times will Kesler dive in game 4?

[Todd Bersnoozi]

Kes has that chicken wing move too.

[ODB]

I'm bitching about Kesler diving but I think suggesting we get rid of the guy is nuts. He stopped complaining and chirping after every whistle and had a career year last season. He needs to work on being an honest player, he's got the skills to dominate. I wouldn't even consider moving a guy like Kesler.

[donlever]

I wouldn't even consider moving a guy like Kesler.

I am 100% with you on this and have plenty to say on the subject (post season tho).

I'm a bit flabbergasted by the suggestion tbh.

[clem]

What’s the relationship between playoff disappointment and chucking players under the bus?

Where are the people that said “bring on the hate”?

Kesler converted bad habits into a Selke last year, then had a relapse this year. He’s not done. Loyalty shouldn’t disappear easily.

[Larry Goodenough]

Before we completely throw the guy under the bus, we should remember that he had hip surgery last summer. This combined with the short summer could be partly to blame for his "less than Nashville" performance.

As for his other actions, he's on his own there. But I would give him a full summer to get ready for next season to see where he's really at.

I would assume 99% of us fat slobs/98 lb weaklings have no idea what kind of training and prep goes into an NHLers summer.

Without weeks to recoup and months to lay down muscle mass and stamina that sustain a player through a season, you are at a significant disadvantage to all the other pros that were able to do just that. You can't make that weight training or stamina up during the season because you'll be too tired to play the next game. That's a disadvantage that you can not make up, no matter what your determination.

It's ignorant to expect Kesler, Raymond and Malhotra to be the players this year that they were last year. Fan frustration then leads to knee jerk reactions like "get rid of 'em". But logic probably tells us with a summer to train properly, these guys would be better because they have shown it in the past.

With that being said, Kelser indeed does need to stop the diving.

So does Justin Williams and Alec Martinez. Ron McLean himself alluded to that.

[donlever]

...I wasn't gonna say something but I will say this.

Keslers two biggest weapons, skating and shot are a function of core strength. This means he has to maintain or improve this area of his body in the off season.

He couldn't, he therefore didn't and we see what we see now.

Not to mention the fact that his cardio, leg strength blah blah blah is lacking due to an inability to work out.

But let's take him out and shoot him....

[Larry Goodenough]

...I wasn't gonna say something but I will say this.

Keslers two biggest weapons, skating and shot are a function of core strength. This means he has to maintain or improve this area of his body in the off season.

He couldn't, he therefore didn't and we see what we see now.

Not to mention the fact that his cardio, leg strength blah blah blah is lacking due to an inability to work out.

But let's take him out and shoot him....

Shouldn't he just be a man and suck it up? Defying science is just a matter of effort and heart.

[Topper]

Well look who's all pissy and bet out of shape. Poor Ol' Larry hasn't figure out his numbers are not scientific. The evolution to black box from smoke and mirrors does not convince many of us.

Donny, fully agree with you on Kesler, I mentioned a while back that last season people kept talking about the off season training regiment Kesler had and how many billion shots a day he was firing to work on his shot.

[coco_canuck]

The biggest reason for Kesler's lack of discipline and increased diving is frustration.

He still has some maturing to do, and I'll have more thoughts on Kesler after the season, but his inability to play at last year's level that has gotten in his head.

Having said that, he's still been an effective two-way player this series, but he hasn't been able to produce much offensively other than a couple of assists in the first game.

It should, but it doesn't surprise me in the least that people are suggesting we trade Kesler.

Canucks fans are the best.

[Corb]

What's the ratio of beaver taps to dives?

[clem]

Is that a wild or domesticated beaver?

[Corb]

He still has some maturing to do, and I'll have more thoughts on Kesler after the season, but his inability to play at last year's level that has gotten in his head.

He's been with the team for 7 full seasons, and played internationally, and he's 27. I guess I just don't buy 'maturing' as an excuse / fact for this play any longer. I don't think it is immaturity showing, I think it is his personality showing.

(this sounds quite negative, so I should add I still like the player and thought he and the team cleaned up the embellishing for the most part during the regular season)

[donlever]

...I disagree.

Kesler is clearly an overtly emotional guy.

You can see that from the tears that spill when he loses an Olympic Final, a Cup game 7 or when interviewed after scoring the day after his Grandma dies.

A 37 year old Ryan perhaps does not react in similar fashion.

I'm in the camp that believes he still has some growing up to do.

[Reefer2]

I think sometimes we all forget they are hockey players and still so young. In business he would still be wet behind the ears and still have to do a lot to prove themselves.

I have a 30 year old working for me and I just spoke with him last month about him being able to do more. 27 is still young.

[donlever]

..yep, I sired a boy just into my 20's. He's in his mid 20's now.

If Keslers mindset is in that neighbourhood.

Maturing to do still fo sho...