On the Pittsburgh Penguins and potential trade options …
Josh Yohe of The Athletic: Multiple sources have said that Phil Kessel isn’t against the idea of being traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins, but is also okay with remaining with the team.
One of his preferred teams would be the Arizona Coyotes with head coach Rick Tocchet.
The Coyotes have told the Penguins that due to the financial side of things, a trade isn’t likely to happen. Kessel has another four years at a $6.8 million cap hit – Toronto Maple Leafs are retaining $1.2 million – which is too much for the Coyotes.
Multiple sources have confirmed the Penguins willingness to trade Kessel, but they won’t move him for the sake of moving him.
Sources confirmed the Penguins offered Bryan Rust, Conor Sheary or Dominik Simon to the Coyotes for Max Domi.
The Penguins have Kessel, Rust, Patric Hornqvist and Daniel Sprong as right wingers and they aren’t trading Hornqvist.
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said yesterday that they haven’t talked to Phil Kessel about a potential trade. Kessel has a no-movement clause that is thought to include 10 teams.
The Penguins don’t have a lot of salary cap space if they don’t trade someone.
Other potential Penguins that could be traded include defenseman Matt Hunwick and forwards Conor Sheary and Carl Hagelin. Hagelin is entering the last year of his deal and should get some interest.
Kessel and Derick Brassard could be other trade options, though they are unlikely. Goaltender Tristan Jarry could be another trade chip.
“I’d like to have more balance in the forwards and defense,” Rutherford said. “As far as our forwards, that could be done from within, possibly. From our defense, possibly adding one more defenseman. I suppose we could try to do it from within, again. But if the right available defenseman came along we’d consider changing things up a little bit there.”
Rutherford said it’s unlikely that they trade back into the first-round.
Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins have around $10 million in salary cap space to re-sign restricted free agents Bryan Rust, Jamie Oleksiak, Riley Sheahan, Tom Kuhnhackl and Dominik Simon.
The Penguins had offered Conor Sheary (two years at $3 million per) or Bryan Rust for Max Domi.
Forward Derick Brassard didn’t fit in great after being acquired at the deadline, and he has also dealt with an injury. There are reasons to keep Brassard, but if they get a big offer, would have to listen.
The Penguins Stanley Cup window is still open, but they have an aging core.