Teams reaching out to Maple Leafs about Kessel

[The Black Panther]

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Sportsnet

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Teams reaching out to Maple Leafs about Kessel


George Stroumboulopoulos and Elliotte Friedman discuss all the top headlines from around the NHL including the report that teams are enquiring about the availability of Toronto Maple Leafs sniper Phil Kessel.

Video: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/t...-about-kessel/
JEFF SIMMONS
JUNE 6, 2015, 10:00 PM
The Phil Kessel trade talks are about to ramp up.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, a handful of teams have inquired with the Toronto Maple Leafs regarding their asking price for Kessel.

The future of the Maple Leafs star forward was a popular topic among NHL executives at this weekend’s NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, but Friedman reported that if a trade was going to be consummated, it would not happen for at least a couple of weeks.



Kessel is expected to be on the trading block this summer as the Maple Leafs could be active in order to get younger and stockpile draft picks and prospects as part of their rebuilding process.



The 27-year-old American has seven years remaining on his contract that carries a salary cap hit of $8 million per season.

Kessel, who has exceeded the 30-goal mark in four of the last six seasons, registered 25 goals, 36 assists with a minus-34 rating in 82 games for Toronto this past season.


He has spent the last six years with the Maple Leafs, only making one post-season appearance after the club paid a steep price to acquire him in a 2009 trade with the Boston Bruins.

[Big Baby]

My top 3 guesses

1.Islanders

2. Avalanche

3. Hurricanes

[yougo]

My top 3 guesses

1.Islanders

2. Avalanche

3. Hurricanes

Kessel with Tavares would be so awesome. Kessel with Duchene/MacKinnon, but there is something scary just thinking of the damage 81-91 could do together.

[gooding74]

Wasn't there a rumor one time about the Panthers being interested in Kessel? Even if there's nothing to it, they would have the cap space to make it happen. The Panthers could probably offer something to the Leafs that would make them younger, which would be part of the Shanaplan.

[butch]

My top 3 guesses

1.Islanders

2. Avalanche

3. Hurricanes

depends if wang wants to go out with a bang during his last season as majority owner.

I think the Devils will be the most interested team in Kessel

[The Black Panther]

depends if wang wants to go out with a bang during his last season as majority owner.

I think the Devils will be the most interested team in Kessel

I could just see that(well I actually wouldn't want to see that....yeck) " The Wang Bang Finale". Nice intro to Brooklyn too. The JT/Kessel duel would be scary!!!
NJD.....hmmmm. When are they going to rebuild themselves? Scenarios? 6th overall plus?

I'd probably prefer the Avs pkg much better young talent and a solid 1st rdr. I'd think they'd have to take salary back though, as Avs will probably have Cap issues in the future.

[butch]

6th ov alone should do it - maybe leafs take back a bad contract from devils (if one exists)to offset the 5 m bonus phil receives in july ?

[Daydream Nation]

My top 3 guesses

1.Islanders

2. Avalanche

Yes, yes, yes- coming from a Kessel owner!

[Big Baby]

Yes, yes, yes- coming a Kessel owner!

A guy can dream right?

[Zorro]

Where is Kessel from?? Where does his family reside??

[JagrBomb]

Nashville or St.Louis

Darkhorse Winnipeg

[petegreg21]

I heard Dallas still needs a RW. Take all of the East's problem children - Seguin, Spezza, Kessel...

[CHunter]

Kessel + Gardiner for E. Staal, Murphy + 1st rounder

[The Black Panther]

Kessel + Gardiner for E. Staal, Murphy + 1st rounder

Not a fan of Murphy. Kid can't play defence. Staal also doesn't fit in with rebuild. Plus his contract is ugly like sin.

[hockeymanG23]

I heard Dallas still needs a RW. Take all of the East's problem children - Seguin, Spezza, Kessel...

I'd be ecstatic if that happened, on a side note it would be odd to have Kessel and Seguin playing together after being traded for each other twice.