Kessel is a newcomer to the Golden Knights organization and most of the people in the photo have known him for two months, give or take. But the smiles, arms around shoulders and essence of happiness dripped together to capture a moment of jubilation.
It's a truism in pro hockey. Teams that don't have fun don't win. Last year's version of the Vegas Golden Knights hit the misery meter as often as the good times gauge. In the end, they fell prey to injuries which saw them hit 516 man-games lost to the roster and an even more crippling 276 MGL to the roster's top six forwards, top four D and #1 goalie combined. Health is key to happiness and Vegas had almost none of the former last season and little of the latter as a result.
Former NHL coach Claude Noel could give a press conference with the best of them during his coaching career. One afternoon he got a little loquacious trying to explain the struggle between the players and himself during a trying season commanding the Winnipeg Jets. Finally, he got to the heart of the matter and dropped this pearl: "Right now, there is no joy in Joyville." The Jets never found a mix of accountability and joy that season and missed the playoffs leading to Noel's eventual dismissal. No happiness, no winning, no stability.
It's no secret in hockey circles that Kessel is beloved. He's talented, funny, self-deprecating and a wonderful teammate. Players love him. While he was brought to Vegas to produce offense, to date his largest contribution has been to bring his team together and forge a bond in the heat of an historic moment. Phil will Thrill - as he did with his 400th career goal in consecutive game 990 on Tuesday. But he'll also provide the stuff of glue. The stuff of fun. The stuff of winning.
In an 82-game season, special situations like Kessel tying and breaking the Ironman mark can provide a welcome break from routine. Successful teams have embraced outdoor games or a rookie's first lap in warmups. In this case it was accentuated by the respect Phil's teammates have for the accomplishment, and the fondness they have quickly developed for him. The result was something much more than an individual achievement, something felt by everyone in that photo.
Head coach Bruce Cassidy is very clear in his expectations. And he backs them with actions. A player not meeting the standard finds himself stapled to the bench. Maybe even scratched and placed in the press box. But, as Butch often says and his players confirm, the page gets turned by the next day. Every day starts rooted in positivity. Cassidy may be the crew boss but he's not one to stand up above the ditch and just bark orders. He grabs a shovel and gets down with this team to help dig out.
There's an energy and excitement around the VGK dressing room right now. A joie de vivre. The recipe to drink out of the Stanley Cup is parts talent, luck, health, depth and drive.
The straw is joy and right now the Golden Knights are nicely stirred.
