Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Bold Predictions for Phil Kessel This NHL Season

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Phil Kessel is off to a great start this season, leading the NHL in points (15) and in goals (nine) through eight games.

Kessel has taken his game to another level so far this season, and hopefully for the Maple Leafs he can have a consistent season and become a real superstar.

Let's look at five bold predictions for Phil Kessel's 2011-12 NHL season.

45 Goals

Phil Kessel has had the potential to score 40 goals per season for a while now, and this year he will finally get to the 40-goal plateau.

His career high is 36 goals, which he notched in his breakout season of 2008-09 with the Boston Bruins, and he will at least match that total this season, and very likely exceed it.

Playing with better talent, combined with improving himself will help Kessel get to 45 goals this year.

40 Assists

Phil Kessel will dish out 40 assists this season, and help his teammates become better players. The sign of a player really becoming a legitimate star is when he helps his teammates reach their potential, and Kessel seems like he is becoming one of those players.

His career high in assists is 32, which he set last season, and playing with an improved roster this season should help him exceed that total this season for the Maple Leafs.

Kessel Will Become Valuable on the PK

Phil Kessel asked Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson earlier in the season if he could play a bit on the penalty kill, and this may be another way for his talents to truly reach their potential.

Kessel has good speed and puck-handling skills, and may be an effective penalty killer. His toughness is also underrated, and he can be a pest that will disrupt opposing team's power-play schemes.

Kessel will see good PK time this season and will be effective on it.

Kessel Will Become a Good Two-Way Forward

Phil Kessel has the ability to be a good two-way forward, and he will do so this season.

He has the determination and work ethic to dedicate himself to the defensive aspects of hockey, and he will be a valuable defensive forward for the Maple Leafs this season.

While Kessel's offensive game continues to grow, his defensive talents will also improve.

Kessel Will Lead Maple Leafs to the Playoffs This Season

Phil Kessel will lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to the 2011-12 NHL playoffs, and his offensive talents will make the Leafs a dangerous team in the playoffs.

Kessel will become an elite goal scorer this season and will continue to take steps to become a complete hockey player.

Led by Phil Kessel, the Maple Leafs will make the playoffs for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

For updates on all NHL news throughout the season, follow Nick Goss on Twitter. Follow @NicholasGoss35

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.