TORONTO -- He has scored points in five of his six games as a Maple Leaf and has the potential to thrill every time he touches the puck.
There is, however, a downside to Phil Kessel.
The former Boston Bruins' presence in the Leafs lineup exploits a stark reality: That the rest of the team is less talented than even the gloomiest of pre-season forecasts.
Sobering as it is, this may be as good as it gets for the struggling team for the next while. And 'this' is not pretty.
With Saturday night's 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames, the Leafs are already in the midst of their third extended losing streak of the season and on pace for one of the worst point outputs in franchise history.
By the weekend, the Leafs will have played a quarter of their schedule, so this is no rush to judgement.
After 18 games last season, they had 18 points. When they resume practice this morning after a day off, they do so as a team with just 11 points and losing streaks of eight, four and now three games -- only one game out of the league basement.
General manager Brian Burke said recently he hasn't been disappointed with the effort of his team. Translated, given the record thus far, that means the team isn't good or consistent enough to compete night in and night out against most NHL opponents.
At some point, talented prospects will get promotions from the Marlies to see how they are developing as pros.
Until then, Leafs fans best get used to a troubled team that despite an off-season of optimism is desperate as ever to find its way forward.
ROB.LONGLEY@SUNMEDIA.CA
