“Things happen so quick out there. You can slow it
down and it makes it look worse,” Kessel said Wednesday morning. “Obviously you
can’t two hand people. The 2nd slash when looking at it was uncalled
for.”
A day after learning he will be suspended for the
rest of the pre- season, Kessel fired back at those who criticized his actions.
“Put them in that situation and see what they do,”
said Kessel, who scored 20 goals in 48 games last season. “A lot of people
criticize that, and see what they would do against a guy like that. I think
they would be in trouble.”
Kessel used the word “happy” to describe
how he felt about not losing any regular season games due to suspension.
While surprisingly in Buffalo, Scott didn’t seem
too bothered by the fact Kessel will be available for the Leafs season opener.
“Im fine with it,” Scott said Wednesday morning. “It’s
one of those things he was protecting himself. I didn’t want to see
anyone suspended in the 1st place. I’m ok with it.”
“If I was in his position and I saw someone coming
after me, I would have been a little hesitant too to drop his gloves,” added
the 6-foot-8 Scott.
Kessel has never had more than 28 penalty
minutes in a season. But he’s been rather feisty during the pre-season,
although he insists he isn’t a dirty player.
“I played 7 years now and averaged under 20 penalty
minutes a year,” said Kessel. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”
Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle said Kessel will
“really practice hard” ahead of the season opener. Kessel isn’t looking forward
to that, but his best friend and linemate, Tyler Bozak is.
“I think he’d rather play the games,” smiled Bozak.
“I will likely go up against the glass and watch him bag-skate a few days.”
“When he says that it will be hard, I’m not looking
forward to his bag skates,” said Kessel.
It’s a price he is willing to take to
play in the Leafs season opener.
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