By: Ryan Dadoun

It looks like we are mere weeks away from Phil Kessel's debut in a Leafs uniform, but Leafs fans and Kessel owners should keep their expectations in check. The Leafs 0-5-1 start to the season was the absolute worst thing that could happen to Kessel. The Leafs fanbase and media isn't known for it's easy going, wait-and-see mentality. The pressure Leafs Nation will put on Phil Kessel to produce immediately after his return will be immense.

Toronto acquired Kessel for their 2010 and 2011 first round picks and 2010 second round selection. Although Toronto is only six games into the season, people are already wondering if he was really worth it. Kessel hasn't even taken the ice yet and a section of Leafs Nation has already soured to him. That's bad news for Kessel, who was never likely to score 36 goals in 70 games again this season. He'll be coming off shoulder surgery and Toronto has no equivalent to Marc Savard to set up his goals. All the same, if Kessel isn't scoring goals right off the bat, Leafs Nation will get antsy and we'll find out how Kessel performs under intense pressure and negative feedback.