Skip to content

Former Maple Leafs coach Wilson: Kessel has confidence issues

Jerome Miron / Reuters

In the wake of the Toronto Maple Leafs' dismissal of Randy Carlyle, one of the team's former head coaches has been its most vocal critic.

Ron Wilson, who manned the Leafs' bench for nearly four seasons from 2008 to 2012, did his second local radio interview in as many days on Wednesday and said star forward Phil Kessel has trouble maintaining confidence.

"Phil has as much ability as anybody and you see when he gets on a roll, he's unstoppable, but he has issues with confidence, like anybody else," Wilson told Sportsnet 590 The FAN on Wednesday.

"It might be surprising to hear that, but he misses a couple of easy scoring opportunities and he gets down on himself and he can slip away."

On Tuesday, Wilson told TSN 1050 that Kessel can't be relied upon because he is inconsistent. He also referred to the core of the team as uncoachable, considering that it has remained intact amid multiple coaching changes.

Kessel has been the third-best point scorer in the NHL over the last four years, as TSN.ca's Scott Cullen pointed out on Tuesday.

He has been repeatedly criticized for one reason or another over the years, but Wilson said Wednesday that the talented winger simply requires a better supporting cast.

"He needs to be better insulated with some better players around him who are able to carry the load when Phil's not going," Wilson said. "Unfortunately, in Toronto, when Phil's not going, the Leafs aren't going and it's obvious.

"You've got to be able to find another player or two who are capable of insulating Phil from those types of things and then go forward from there."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox