NHL Rumors: Phil Kessel Still Waiting for His Trade

The Arizona Coyotes are going to trade Phil Kessel this season however the veteran sniper has yet to be moved. The team continues to struggle and management is on the prowl for some more draft picks. While a deal is not imminent at this point, expect to see Kessel shipped out of the Desert before the deadline.

Every hockey insider will tell you it's coming and have done so recently. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff had Kessel listed on his latest trade list and the Coyotes forward who continues to work hard is expected to be traded before this season's deadline:

Kessel has received praise from GM Bill Armstrong for his work ethic, but it’s been a grind in the desert. He’s on pace for the lowest goal output of his career (12). Could a trade potentially rekindle some of the Kessel playoff magic that nearly netted him a Conn Smythe Trophy? Arizona is stockpiling picks. There’s no way they’ll hang onto him. And he’ll cost mere pennies in actual dollars, since his salary this season due by the Coyotes is just $850,000 ($150,000 paid by Leafs) – it could cost somewhere around $250,000 in cash plus acquisition cost to roll the dice on Phil the Thrill, depending on when the trigger is pulled.

Not only is his new team getting a two-time Stanley Cup champion who is a legit sniper but also has underrated play making abilities, they are getting a player who works hard and comes cheap. 

Kessel has recorded 81 points in 94 career Stanley Cup Playoff games and while there's a number of teams who would love to acquire his services, the average annual value cap hit is going to be hard for some teams to maneuver. 

Teams that have been linked to Kessel include the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks. Sounds like it's a matter of when and not if a trade takes place.

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