Phil Kessel laughs off reporter's questions; describes him as 'such an idiot'
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel has no time for your questions about his coachability. He also has no time in general for Toronto Star reporter Dave Feschuk, it would appear.
On Tuesday, following the firing of Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle, Feschuk asked Kessel whether there was any truth to the suggestion that he's a difficult player to coach. Kessel's reaction was priceless:
You can watch a full video of the tense exchange at TSN.ca, or read this transcript provided by SB Nation's Pension Plan Puppets blog (by way of NextImpulseSports.com):
Feschuk: It's been suggested to that you're a difficult guy to coach is there any truth to that?
Kessel: I don't think so but that’s a weird question for you to ask on a day like that, you know your coach got fired
Feschuk: Well you're the best player on the team and if the coach just got fired
Kessel: You think it's my fault? Is that what you're saying?
Feschuk: I'm saying that people are saying you're difficult to coach
Kessel: Is that what you're saying?
Feschuk: I’m asking a question, are you difficult to coach?
Kessel: I don’t think so. I play eh. This guy is such an idiot here. He’s always been like that here.
This back and forth isn't quite on the level of Larry Brooks versus John Tortorella, but that's a solidly testy exchange.
HEADLINES
- Golden Knights top Maple Leafs in Marner's return to Toronto
- Big board: Top 25 players who could be dealt before NHL trade deadline
- Injury questions linger for many top men's hockey teams at Olympics
- Marner: Leafs tribute will be 'weird, cool, special moment'
- Leafs' Stolarz returns vs. Golden Knights after missing 33 games