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And that was while playing on Leafs teams that lacked an A-list supporting cast. In Pittsburgh, that will no longer be the case.

“He had a tough time here,” Minnesota’s Ryan Suter, who grew up with Kessel in Madison, Wisc., said of Kessel’s time in Toronto. “There was a lot going on here; a lot of change, a lot of pressure on him because he was the guy. For Phil to go into Pittsburgh and not be the main guy … it definitely helps your game.”

For Kessel, the move to Pittsburgh is a chance to establish his status as more than just an individual sniper. He addressed that criticism in the summer by training with Gary Roberts and reportedly dropping 15 pounds. But the real test will come in how far the Penguins advance. Stanley Cup champions in 2009, the team has advanced past the second round only once in the last six seasons.

“It’s a good situation for him to go to,” said Toronto’s van Riemsdyk, who will be expected to shoulder the offensive load with the Leafs now that Kessel is gone. “He’s got a lot of good players to play with. They’re going to get him the puck in good areas to score. He’s shown that when he gets those chances he puts them away. As his friend, I wish him well.”

Opponents, meanwhile, are already worried about how they will keep him off the scoresheet.

“Phil’s one of the few wingers that you have to game plan for,” said New Jersey’s Schnieder. “I know he had a down year last year, but if you look at his track record he’s a regular 35-goal scorer. And he never really had a chance to play with an elite, top-echelon centre.

“Now, he has two of them in Pittsburgh.”

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