'It is what it is': Kessel not too disappointed by World Cup snub
There are few things to complain about when you're getting ready to play in the Stanley Cup Final.
Case in point, Pittsburgh Penguins leading playoff scorer Phil Kessel is taking a rather level-headed approach to the baffling decision not to include him in Team USA's World Cup roster.
Related: John Scott wants to form World Cup team with Phil Kessel, other snubs
"You're always disappointed, but it is what it is, Kessel told reporters Sunday. "I think I’ve had a pretty good playoffs and I’ve always done pretty good for them when I’ve played (for Team USA). But we are in the Stanley Cup Final, so I can't be that disappointed."
He wasn't the only one surprised by the omission.
Sidney Crosby says he was surprised Phil Kessel was left off U.S. World Cup team. "I just got so used to seeing him" on the national team.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 29, 2016
Rutherford said he's "surprised" Kessel was left off of Team USA for World Cup -SK
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) May 29, 2016
Kessel led the American team in scoring at the Sochi Olympics in 2014 and is averaging a point per game in the postseason, but the powers that be decided to go a different direction in terms of team building.