On the Pittsburgh Penguins and Phil Kessel …
Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune: The Penguins likely wouldn’t be getting back an impact player like Phil Kessel with a similar salary ($6.8 million salary cap hit) if they were to trade him.
“You’re not going to get close to the same player for that money unless you do one hell of a scouting job,” the scout said. “I’m not even sure that player’s out there.”
If they were to move him, they might do so with the idea of filling a couple of holes on their roster – top-nine left winger that can play a 200-foot game and chip in offensively, middle pair defenseman and a prospect.
Daniel Sprong would then slot into Kessel’s right side spot.
The trade value for Kessel could be high right now. The Penguins will also need some future cap space for future extensions for Jake Guentzel and Matt Murray.
On the Dallas Stars and Phil Kessel …
Josh Lile of the Dallas Morning News: The Penguins trading Phil Kessel seems like a silly idea, but if they want to do it, the Stars should be interested.
Kessel has four years left at a $6.8 million salary cap hit – the Maple Leafs are picking up another $1.2 million.
Alexander Radulov is a top the Stars depth chart on the right side, followed by Valeri Nichushkin if he’s signed. Kessel would also help out their power play. Kessel had 42 power play points last year – only four Stars had more than 42 points total.
The cost to acquire wouldn’t be cheap. The Stars should consider if the asking price doesn’t involve “Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, John Klingberg, Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell (maybe), or Radulov.”
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