Looking like Kessel will be staying in Pittsburgh and a few other Penguins notes
Josh Yohe of The Athletic: After a failed trade to the Minnesota Wild, it’s looking like Pittsburgh Penguins forward Phil Kessel won’t be going anywhere.
“I think that’s the way things are headed at this point in time,” Rutherford told The Athletic. “I expect Kessel will probably play for Pittsburgh next season.”
Kessel has been offered around the league for the past two offseasons and it had appeared his time was over with the Penguins this offseason.
Rutherford said that Kessel is a good player and they don’t have to trade him. Kessel has an eight-team trade list and he wasn’t interested in going to Minnesota.
“You have to understand that he has a no-trade clause and a lot of leverage,” Rutherford said. “In situations like this, it usually doesn’t work out so well for the team. That’s just the way it is. So, at this point, it looks to me that he will return at this season. That’s how I’m proceeding moving forward.”
Rutherford wouldn’t comment on any other teams that inquired.
Commenting on some other topics, Rutherford said they are not focused right now on a Matt Murray extension. They don’t know yet if they will offer an extension for defenseman Justin Schultz.
Rutherford said that changes are coming to the Penguins, but don’t expect anything massive.
“Changes are coming,” Rutherford said. “Changes are in order, for sure. At this point in time, I don’t know exactly what they are going to be. It’s hard to say right now, but changes are coming. I’ll say this, though. I don’t think we’re going to make any changes that I would refer to as massive. I’d say I’m looking to re-tool more than anything.”
Flyers still working on their pending RFAs
Sam Carchidi of the Inquirer: Philadelphia Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher is still working to re-sign restricted free agents Ivan Provorov, Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim, Scott Laughton, and Ryan Hartman, and it hasn’t been an easy task. Sides have discussed short- and long-termed deals.
“It seems like that market is becoming a little more aggressively priced based on the last couple years.”
Teams and players appear to be waiting to see what others are doing.
“…My sense is that everybody is kind of waiting for everybody else to do something. I don’t think anything will happen quickly, but we’re hopeful we’ll get everything done.”