Jim Rutherford isn't worried. Whether or not that means fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins should worry, is absolutely up for debate. But it has to be at least somewhat comforting to the Pens faithful that their GM feels no concern whatsoever over the so-called issues that plagued new star scorer and human Mr. Potato Head, Phil Kessel, while he was a member of the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"I have absolutely no concerns," Rutherford said recently, via Mike Zeisberger of the Ottawa Sun. "He's scored. He's been among the top four or five goal scorers the past few years. And he's in the prime of his career."
Of these facts, there really is no doubt. Kessel, over the last five seasons, has potted 151 markers, good enough for fourth in the entire NHL. He's a five-time 30-goal scorer. Last season for a moribund Leafs team, he still managed 25 goals and another 36 assists.
But along with Kessel's undeniable talent for finding the back of the net have come questions of his fitness and overall commitment, especially toward the end in Toronto. Rutherford says that a lunch meeting with Kessel in July assuaged any concerns he may have had immediately after the trade was consummated.
"We had a good meeting in Toronto and I've met with him a couple of times since," Rutherford told Zeisberger. "He's put in a good summer's work. He's done everything he's needed to do to be ready for camp."
One of those things Kessel has done is to spend time this offseason working out with renowned trainer Gary Roberts. Roberts has developed quite a reputation around the NHL by helping big names like Steve Stamkos and Connor McDavid to improve their conditioning.
In the end though, Rutherford believes it may simply be the change of scenery that benefits Kessel the most, especially after six difficult and mostly unsuccessful seasons in Toronto.
"I don't know if fresh start is the right word," Rutherford said, via Zeisberger. "Maybe just a change. I think we all need a change in our life and in our career.
"I had a really good meeting with him. He looks forward to the challenge."
