Maple Leafs' Kessel to Horachek: 'No one's not trying. If you're saying that you're lost'
It seems like every week the Toronto Maple Leafs have something going wrong.
The team can't seem to win, losing their fourth straight game against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, and even practice can lead to drama.
Early Friday prior to the Maple Leafs' team skate, head coach Peter Horachek gathered his troops to deliver a speech.
Rather lengthy pre-practice address by Horachek who appears unamused pic.twitter.com/WTBMNDCAYw
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) March 20, 2015
According to multiple reports, Horachek questioned the team's effort, care and work ethic.
Peter Horachek addressing #leafs players on practice ice and saying they have to show pride. Says they've had a "lack of effort" and "care."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 20, 2015
Horachek: "We're not playing hard."
— Jonas Siegel (@jonasTSN1050) March 20, 2015
The news rubbed star sniper Phil Kessel - who has been uncharacteristically addressing the media more often - the wrong way as he responded to his coach's assessment.
Phil Kessel: "No one's not trying. If you're saying that you're lost."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 20, 2015
Kessel on Horachek's criticism of effort level: "Obviously, it wasn't a good game. They have a good team & dominated most of the night."
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) March 20, 2015
Kessel on Horachek blasting team leaders for lack of work ethic in games: "That's his opinion"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) March 20, 2015
It doesn't sound like the team's star player and head coach are on the same page.
Kessel is the team's point leader with 54 points in 72 games, despite recording just one goal and four points in the month of March thus far.