It seems to happen almost every year that Phil Kessel trade rumours start appearing. This year is apparently no different. In an article by Lyle Richardson from Bleacher Report, five trade options for Kessel are detailed. Kessel will be an unrestricted free agent after next season. He is owed a $5 million signing bonus from his $6 million cap hit on July 1st. So, don’t expect any NHL team to go rushing to the phone to call Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong about a trade before that deadline.
More than likely, if Armstrong is able to move Kessel with his eight-team no-trade list, he will be forced to retain some salary. That may not be a bad option seeing that the Desert Dogs desperately need draft picks. Throwing in a player may not be a bad idea either.
Phil Kessel Trade Rumours Are Beginning Again
Many may think that now with former head coach Rick Tocchet gone, Kessel may want to leave the desert after being here for two seasons. His first season was not a memorable one for Kessel or the Coyotes, who expected much more from Phil.
This past season was much better with Kessel leading the team with 43 points and 20 goals in 56 games. Sure, it has been noted that Kessel was ailing and struggling through last season. So do you still play the guy just to keep his consecutive games played streak alive? It’s a very debatable question.
In any case, the intention of new GM Armstrong is to go with a younger roster. Kessel will be 34 years old in early October. IF the Coyotes can convince someone on his list of teams he will accept a trade to, acquiring draft picks has got to be a consideration. Another would be adding a defenceman since they will likely not keep Niklas Hjalmarsson, Jordan Oesterle, or Jason Demers.
Phil Kessel Trade Proposals
It’s clear that the Coyotes need to clear some large contracts from their balance sheet. Kessel’s is one of them. While he has an $8 million cap hit, the Toronto Maple Leafs picked $1.2 million of that when they traded Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Coyotes want to be able to sign Conor Garland to a lucrative contract, say in the $4.5-$5.5 million range for anywhere from three to five years.
Richardson makes five trade proposals and since the Coyotes need draft choices and are hoping to someday draft/trade for/sign a free agent franchise-changing centre, let’s concentrate on the best one.
Los Angeles Kings
Now here’s a team who also could use Kessel’s offensive prowess. While they are loaded with young talent, two of the Los Angeles Kings’ veterans Drew Doughty, and Anze Kopitar have made it clear they are tired of losing and seek some immediate solutions. Enter Phil Kessel.
The best part of dealing with the Kings is their plethora of young talent and they possess a second-round pick from the St. Louis Blues and a third-rounder from the Toronto Maple Leafs besides their own picks. This may be the best option available to the Coyotes with lower-level picks coming their way, as Richardson pointed out in his article.
Everyone knows you build your nuclei of your team from the draft. Coyotes’ fans have been more than patient in putting a winning team on the ice. It will take new GM Armstrong some time to get there. After he hires a new coach (and what is taking so long?) he will certainly be in the spotlight to see what he can accomplish.
But… try to wrap your head around Phil Kessel being in Tinsel-town. He may be able to start a whole new career after hockey. Or, will the pressure of being in a large market again as it was in Toronto give Kessel the blues? He won’t have Tocchet around anymore to be his whisperer and save him from the press.
Closing Remarks
There will definitely be some changes to the 2021-22 Arizona Coyotes. Not only will they be moving to the Central Division, but there will be quite a few new players on the roster. Whether Phil Kessel will still be there is yet to be determined, thus the Phil Kessel trade rumours exist.
Still trying to picture Phil in L.A.!
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