On Monday’s edition of his 31 Thoughts podcast , NHL insider Elliotte Friedman discussed the possibility that the Arizona Coyotes are going to look at trading Phil Kessel in the offseason. Noting that the Coyotes are looking to get younger and because Kessel is in the final year of his current contract, it might be time to move on.
Friedman suggests that Arizona will at least explore the trade market on Kessel and try to move him. They’ll be promoting the fact he’s on an expiring contract, carries a reduced cap hit thanks to salary retention from the Toronto Maple Leafs, and because he’s owed less in real money since his signing bonus will have already been taken care of.
Kessel, will eat up some of team’s salary cap, so he won’t be a fit for teams really tight to the ceiling, but he will work for a number of franchises, especially because he’ll only carry a salary of $1 million next season. With another 20-goal season in the books (this time in a 56-game season), he’s an attractive option for a number of teams.
Friedman noted that the motivation to move Kessel is because the Coyotes are in desperate need of additional draft picks and prospects. Friedman wonders if this is one way to get them some of the picks they need. “They are going to see if anyone wants to go for that,” said the NHL insider.
Kessel May Welcome a Move
Part of the discussion comes out of the news that the Coyotes and head coach Rick Tocchet have decided to part ways. Many looked at Tocchet’s relationship with Kessel — even dating back to when they were together as part of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization — and wonder if Kessel would be open to a move now with Tocchet gone.
The Coyotes aren’t exactly a top-tier team either. Perhaps Kessel would like another opportunity to win. If his cap hit isn’t high and a team can work something out to add him in their top-six, there might be a fit.
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