[trancehead]

one of the tsn comments from the couture signing. sprouted because people all over the world love to rag on phil kessel and the leafs

@ DogDaysofsummer: I agree with your statement 100% that 'Defense wins you championships' since the best offensive players can be shut down by a stifling defence. That said, it takes a team effort to accomplish that feat, with ALL players buying into that system and style of play, and therefore we can safely conclude that no ONE player can win a championship let alone a series in the NHL playoffs. I witnessed first hand, the 'Almighty Boston Bruins' of the 1970-1971 season dominate the league with superstars such as Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Wayne Cashman, Derek Sanderson to name a few, yet they were beaten by a strongly united and regenerated Montreal Canadiens team back stopped by rookie Ken Dryden. It takes outstanding goal tending, solid DEFENCE, solid hitting, and timely scoring, and intangibles such as leadership to win the Stanley Cup. So, to put the onus on Phil Kessel and blame him for the woes of the Toronto Maple Leafs in recent years, is unfair.