{"playerId":858,"percentChange":0,"averageDraftPosition":28,"percentOwned":100,"playerRaterSEASON":12.7,"playerRater7DAY":6.8,"mostRecentNews":{"news":"Kessel was held to one shot in Wednesday's Game 1 loss to Boston.","spin":"He needs to get the monkey -- and Zdeno Chara -- off his back. He's struggled miserably against his old team, but we did like how he drove hard to the net -- he went straight into the pipe when he would have curled away in the past.","date":"Wed May 1"},"fullName":"Phil Kessel","seasonOutlook":{"outlook":"Kessel has all the hallmarks of a serial sniper in the NHL. He's fast, can stick handle through opponents and can release his shot before the goaltender knows what's happened. It is actually a bit surprising that his 37 goals were a career-high last season. Kessel has not had an elite playmaker on his line in recent seasons (at least one that worked out), so the lower-than-expected output is likely due to the supporting cast. Joffrey Lupul is a great fit on Kessel's wing as a great forechecker who wins pucks, but the duo could use someone who can send passes to Kessel at just the right moment. Tim Connolly didn't work out as a proposed solution last season, and Tyler Bozak is not an elite NHL centerman by any means. The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired James van Riemsdyk in the offseason but is also a winger and not an elite passer. Kessel will have another strong showing this season, but his true potential will have to wait. Luckily, Kessel still piles up fantasy value and is worthy of a top-30 forward selection.","seasonId":2013,"date":"Thu Jan 10"},"playerRater30DAY":13.4,"playerRater15DAY":11.7,"positionRank":2}