The big obstacle isn't teams wanting him, it's Kessel and his MNTC where apparently the 8 teams he wishes to go to aren't offering anywhere near what he's worth because...well... why would a team offer up a lot knowing the Pens want him moved.
Personally, I think trading Kessel now will prove to be a wise decision.
And I'm a Kessel fan actually.
But
~He's on the wrong side of 30 (32 in October)
~Goal and point production declined last year in a season where overall offense was up league-wide
~He's notoriously out of shape (which you can easily shrug off when you're 22, it's much harder to overcome when you're 32)
~There's also the fighting with teammates, but I think that gets over-hyped in the media.
However, he still has value
~ 2-time cup winner, not too far removed from Conn Smythe consideration
~ Still a terrific sniper and an underrated playmaker, who can still move well when he wants to
~ Very reasonable cap-hit
So, I think the timing is right to move him for proper asset management as his value will only decline from here.
The big obstacle isn't teams wanting him, it's Kessel and his MNTC where apparently the 8 teams he wishes to go to aren't offering anywhere near what he's worth because...well... why would a team offer up a lot knowing the Pens want him moved.
12 Team, H2H, Keep 6 (in Bold)
G, A, Pts, PPP, FW, SOG, Hits, Blocks
W, Saves, S%, GAA, Game Started
2C, 2LW, 2RW, 4D, 1Util, 2G, 5BN, 2IR, 1IR+, 1NA
C: Horvat, Trocheck
LW: J. Robertson, Byfield (C), Guenther
RW: Pavelski (C), Giroux (C), Svechnikov (LW)
D: Fox, Makar, Bouchard, Morrissey, Gudas
Util: Meier (LW, RW)
G: Oettinger, Georgiev, Samsonov, Woll
I totally agree on the point made about locker room personalities. When you’re winning it’s easier to get along and put up with each other’s idiosyncrasies. When you’re losing those types of things are harder to put up with. The focus in the room shifts.
Personality conflicts aside, wouldn’t he be a wanted piece for a team whose Stanley Cup window is open now and the next couple years. Where they could offer younger pieces . He still is a top offensive player. How often do top offensive players become available ? I’m not sure how many and which teams would fall into this category.
As far as I’ve read from Rutherford, Pittsburgh won’t be doing a complete rebuild while Crosby is there. They will retool and continue to win now .
Even in a Fantasy Hockey I doubt I would entertain an offer of Rask and Zucker for Kessel and Johnson. Salary and term not involved obviously. Or perhaps I over value Kessel ?
Yahoo! 10 Team Keep 6, H2H - 1 win
G, A, SOG, PPP, FOW, H, B, Wins, GAA, Sv%, SHO
2C, 2RW, 2LW, 1Ut, 4D, 3G, 6Bench, 2-I/R+, 1NA
C: Bennett, Couturier, Zacha
LW: Draisaitl-C, Stutzle-C, Kaprizov, E.Kane
RW: Marner I/R,T.Thompson-C, Necas-C, Nichushkin
D: Dahlin, Bouchard, Gudas, Romanov, KA Miller
G: Vasilevskiy , Skinner, Gustavsson, Woll, Allen
4 weekly minimum start’s required
I/R: Sergachev
When I say nothing, I say everything. J.White
Not sure why Minn would want a Kessel, they are in a rebuild of sorts aren't they?
Anyone know which 8 teams are on his list?
minn's in more of a 'retool' the Coyle deal was to get a more dynamic player on their roster.. that's what they're looking to go... I don't think there's any real rebuild intended.
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They don't have the option to rebuild with Suter and Parise signed for 6 more years.
I think moving Zucker for an older player like Kessel is a bit of a mistake though. I just don't feel like they are close enough to being a cup contender to move a very good player in his prime for a year or two of an aging star player with conditioning issues.
Without me, it's only "aweso".
Thought I'd bump this one from the rumour section, since it came true.
Per first & second posts... the ARI rumour turned out to be right on.