Bob McKenzie on TSN: McKenzie on Phil Kessel’s eight team trade list and if any of them would be interested in trading for him.
“I’m not sure if any of them necessarily would be. Most of them are “capped out,” McKenzie said, noting the existing salary obligations of teams like Chicago, Los Angeles and the New York Rangers. “I don’t think the Leafs are trading Phil Kessel to the Montreal Canadiens.”
“I think the list was ostensibly put together probably to places that: A) He would be prepared to play if he had to, and B) places that are salary capped out… I think that the list – for the most part – was designed to make his modified no-trade as close to a full no-trade as possible.”
Randy Miller: (answering question) The chances of the Flyers trading for Phil Kessel are zero percent.
Dennis Bernstein: (answering question) Favorite to land Kessel would be Nashville. Favorite to land Dion Phaneuf would be Dallas. Leafs would likely have to retain some salary if those are the two landing spots.
Platinum Seat Ghosts: Darren Dreger on TSN 1050 on who the Maple Leafs could draft at No. 4.
“Well it’s an interesting one and we’re really educated guessing here, that’s what we’re doing. Some believe that because Mike Babcock is always influenced by good defence that maybe Hanifin is the guy that he’s looking at. Can’t be 100% convinced of that. There are a lot people out there that believe that the Arizona Coyotes will likely take Dylan Strome so now there’s Mitch Marner and there’s the obvious connection to Mark Hunter. For me, it’ll likely come down to Hanifin or Mitch Marner but that’s not an entire lock. I think you’re going to have probably 2 or 3 players that are in that mix but what do the Maple Leafs need more? Do they need that forward or do they need a good young defenceman that might be very good 5 years or more from now. That’s where the internal discussions get real interesting and y’know Mike Babcock is going to have a strong opinion but at the end of the day, he’s going to do what’s best for the Toronto Maple Leafs and if it’s Mitch Marner who’s the better player available then that’s the player the Leafs would likely draft”
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: The Boston Bruins are on Phil Kessel’s list of teams that he’d accept a trade too. Would the Bruins be interested? Kneejerk answer is not a chance. Sources saying the Leafs want to quickly move Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf could stay with the Leafs, but Kessel will be traded…
a) because of his $8 million cap hit through 2022
b) because he has the value that goes along with averaging 30 goals per season during his six years in Toronto and
c) because he has the same thirst for fitness as your typical hockey writer.
Kessel would look good with David Krejci on the top-line. David Pastrnak and Brett Connolly might not be top-line ready. The Bruins offense was 22nd in the league last year.
A package for Kessel would start with the No. 14 pick in this year’s draft, a combination of Malcolm Subban, Reilly Smith, Loui Eriksson and Joe Morrow, as well as some future draft picks. Maybe the Leafs could retain as much as half of Kessel’s salary. The Bruins should at least be having conversations if it makes sense for them or not.
Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Ivan Provorov was asked by the Leafs for a second workout along with some other prospects. The Leafs like Dylan Strome, but few see him getting past whoever selects third. Provorov was said to be on the Oilers radar before they moved from No. 3 to No. 1.
Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Looking at 10 players who could be traded this offseason.
Phil Kessel – has a limited no-trade clause and an $8 million cap hit, which will exclude some teams unless the Leafs retain some salary. There will be multiple teams interested.
Dion Phaneuf – some contenders will be interested as when he’s at his best, he’s a complete package defenseman. At a $7 million cap hit, the Leafs might have to retain to some salary to get a better return.
Ryan O’Reilly – may be the summer he’s traded. The Avalanche need a proven defenseman.
Rick Nash – because of their salary cap situation, the Rangers have to at least think about trading him. They need to re-sign Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin and others.
Patrick Sharp – they may not want to move him, but they need to clear cap space for the raises for Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
Eric Staal – he’s talking contract extension with the Hurricanes, but if talks don’t go well, they have to considering trading him. He may have to give a hometown discount to remain in Carolina.
Bryan Bickel – he carries a $4 million cap hit and didn’t develop into the scorer they had hoped.
Cam Talbot – In 57 NHL games he has a 2.00 GAA and .931 save percentage.
Robin Lehner – he’s still viewed to have potential and will likely be dealt by the Senators. The Sabres, Oilers, Sharks, Stars and Flames are believed to be looking for a goaltender.
Kari Lehtonen – not known if there is a market for Lehtonen. The Stars have to consider a different goalie for next season.
Chris Nichols on Today’s Slap Shot: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 960 on the Flames, Milan Lucic, David Backes and Phil Kessel.
“Yeah, you know – I think he’s a guy like that.
“I’m going to throw another name at you and I know this is going to start a lot of stuff. I’m going to say I don’t think necessarily he’s the guy, but I’m saying he’s the type of guy. Depending on what St. Louis decides to do with David Backes, I could see that being the type of player that Calgary might have some interest in. I’m not saying that they’re going to go out and get David Backes, but he’s the type of player they’re looking at.”
On the Blues.
“One of those St. Louis veterans at least is going to be going. It’s just a matter of who, where and what the offer is.”
On Kessel.
“I heard yesterday that Calgary will not be doing a Kessel deal. It would be a big surprise if they did it.”
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Friedman reported that the Maple Leafs have let teams know that they intend to trade Phil Kessel before the draft. The Leafs are trying to accomplish three things before the June 26-27th draft.
First, president Brendan Shanahan has said several times the team wants to change its leadership group before next season. Well, all the same leaders are still in place.
Second, the team badly wants to clear up its salary cap situation. There’s no appetite to be a cap team if the club isn’t going to be a contender for a playoff position.
Finally, the Leafs are clearly not just looking at this draft, and the two first-round picks they currently own, as a quick step back before leaping forward again.
The Leafs are already looking ahead to the 2016 and 2017 drafts. They need to acquire more draft picks. The Leafs could re-visit talks with Detroit about Dion Phaneuf. Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul are next on the list.
The Sabres are looking at moving their second first round pick, No. 21.
The Leafs could look at using their No. 24 pick and a veteran to move up in the draft.