Phil Kessel NHL Trade Rumors
Will Phil Kessel be traded?

Will Phil Kessel be traded?

Toronto Star: Ron Cook reports that Phil Kessel will be traded. It might not happen this week or this month or even this off-season. But Cook believes it will happen sooner rather than later.

It was clear in June, by the end of the Pittsburgh Penguins second consecutive Stanley Cup run, that the organization wasn’t thrilled with Kessel. He scored 23 goals in 82 games during the regular season, not nearly enough for a player with his marvellous shooting skills.

It’s no secret that Kessel often drives coach Mike Sullivan crazy. I’m guessing he has produced the same reaction all the way up the company ladder, from Jim Rutherford to Mario Lemieux.

With Rick Tocchet leaving the Penguins to be head coach of the Arizona Coyotes, many believe Phil Kessel’s time is up in Pittsburgh.

Kessel has called Tocchet the best assistant coach he has had. Tocchet had a real good relationship with Phil. They spend a lot of time together. Tocchet didn’t just help keep Kessel’s head in the game. He served as a buffer between Kessel and Sullivan.

Another reason to strongly consider a Kessel trade is his outrageous contract. Kessel counts as a $6.8 million (U.S.) hit against the Penguins’ salary cap through the 2021-22 season, when he will be 35. 

Could Kessel be traded to the Coyotes?

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