In defense of Phil Kessel

If you've been watching any sports media outlet that discusses hockey from time to time (bad luck, California), you've probably noticed that Phil Kessel's been getting a heck of a lot of press over the last few days. This is thanks in no small part to his having been drafted last for the All Star Game, and the fact that, well... I'm not sure if you've heard but he was part of this trade over a year ago that involved sending a couple of the Leafs' first round picks from 2011 and 2012 to Boston.

This is still totally significant over a year later whenever discussing Kessel and his on-ice contributions because the Bruins used one of the Leafs' picks to select Tyler Seguin second overall in the 2011 draft. Therefore it is widely accepted by Toronto sports media and fans that this means Kessel must score a goal in every single game he plays in, ever, or else that trade was the dumbest thing Burke has ever done and the Leafs will always be terrible because he totally doesn't have the patience to rebuild like Chicago and Pittsburgh and Atlanta, yada, yada, yada.

However, in all the Kessel criticism there is something people seem to be forgetting - Tyler Seguin has his own name tattooed down his arm.

With head shots on the rise, Seguin's tattoo could prove useful yet.

Kessel will be fine. He rebounded from the inane All Star scrutiny with a solid game tonight that saw him get some great chances, including a sick breakaway in overtime that Clemmenson somehow managed to keep out of the net.

Also, he doesn't have a completely ridiculous tattoo down his arm.

I think we should keep him.

Disclaimer: I am in full support of tattoos and especially tattoo sleeves, but come on.