NHL Trade Rumor: Phil Kessel to the Arizona Coyotes

As Elliotte Freidman confirmed on the 31 Thoughts Podcast yesterday, Phil Kessel is a guarantee to get traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins and it sounds like Arizona could be a perfect fit.

Kessel has some no-trade protection and word from the AZ Central is he is willing to move it for a handful of teams which includes the Coyotes. Phil loves the low-key lifestyle the desert can offer and throw in the fact Zona HC Rick Tocchet and Kessel created a strong bond in Pittsburgh, this move for Kessel makes a ton of sense.

Names like Derek Stepan, Vinnie Hinostroza and Lawson Crouse have all been linked to Kessel one way or another. Pens GM Jim Rutherford has a lot of decisions to make on his roster, so expect a deal for Kessel to influence further deals, depending on what type of return the Pens are looking for and more importantly what type of players they receive back.

Phil Kessel is done in Pittsburgh. Would you want him on your team?

823 career points. Almost a point a game in over 80 playoff games. Coming off a 82 point season, a lot of teams could use his production.