NHL Trade Talk: Ranking the Best Potential Destinations for Phil Kessel
There are two trains of thought when it comes to Phil Kessel's future with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The first is that his future is all but assuredly going to be somewhere other than Toronto now that the team brought in no-nonsense coach Mike Babcock.
The second is that Babcock may be the guy able to help guide Kessel into a more well-rounded and less controversial star.
There's no doubt the 27-year-old sniper could use a break from the spotlight in Toronto, which has drawn his ire over the years. And Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said last week on Calgary's Fan 960 morning show that the Maple Leafs will be busy at the draft trying to make some deals.
"They were looking at a scorched-earth kind of roster," Friedman said of the Leafs' mentality prior to the Babcock hiring. "Get guys out and start all over again."
According to his latest 30 thoughts column, teams are calling the Leafs to ask what the cost would be for the goal-scoring right winger who has seven more years at $8 million per season remaining on his current deal.
With a player as talented as Kessel, who comes with as much of a damaged reputation, there's no telling what the market will be until a trade is made.
But that trade could potentially come in the next couple of weeks with all 30 teams meeting in Florida for the 2015 NHL draft.
Every team would be curious if nothing else, but not every team could meet the price or afford the contract. We rank the teams that would be the best potential destinations for Phil the Thrill.
The criteria includes a need for scoring, the ability to meet an estimated price as well as take on the terms of his contract. Because Kessel also has a limited no-trade clause, he'd have to want to sign off on the location as well.
Click ahead to see the possibilities.
Nashville Predators
1 of 8
Why it could work
Predators general manager David Poile has long been a defender of Kessel, coming to his defense this year on TSN Radio via Hope Smoke (h/t Sportsnet) when talk surfaced that he was a coach killer.
He was also rumored to be interested in trading for the star winger when he was with the Boston Bruins back in 2009, according to The Tennessean (h/t On the Forecheck). The Preds have transitioned from a defensive-minded team to an offensive system with coach Peter Laviolette, and that would suit Kessel.
Potential pitfalls
The Leafs already own the Preds' first-round pick this year after the Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli deadline deal. Parting with a prospect or two of high enough quality (like Calle Jarnkrok and Ryan Ellis) might not be appealing despite the attractiveness of getting an elite sniper back.
Montreal Canadiens
2 of 8
Why it could work
If there's one thing the Canadiens' disappointing playoff ouster proved again this year, it's that the Habs need offense. Desperately. They can't rely on Carey Price to win every game, and having one dependable scorer in Max Pacioretty isn't enough. They need more elite scoring talent, and Kessel is just that. Plus, Price is capable of bailing a guy like Kessel out if he fails to pick up his man on the backcheck on occasion.
Potential pitfalls
I'm not sure the Canadiens would be willing to give up what the Maple Leafs would want to consummate a deal between the division rivals. A young roster player like Alex Galchenyuk or Brendan Gallagher would likely be a sticking point, making a move impossible.
Even with the salary cap rising, bringing in Kessel's money would make other moves difficult. And with the limited no-trade clause, Kessel might not have the Canadiens on his list because of the scrutiny players face in Montreal.
Arizona Coyotes
3 of 8
Why it could work
Only the Buffalo Sabres scored fewer goals last year, and there's no doubt Kessel could help the Desert Dogs out in the scoring department. From Kessel's point of view, he could also toil in relative anonymity after years of souring relationships with members of the Toronto media. There are a few up-and-comers in Arizona who could benefit from playing with top-end veteran talent, and the team has the assets to acquire it.
Potential pitfalls
Money. The Coyotes have lots of room under the cap ceiling—in fact, they have to spend significant dollars to get to the floor—but that doesn't mean ownership is planning to bring in high-priced players.
Kessel's contract can be considered burdensome at $8 million per season as an average hit over the next seven years for a smaller-market team on a budget. Where that consideration could come in is future years when the young guys are due raises after establishing themselves.
The desert might not seem like an attractive spot for a guy with a no-trade clause, but we've seen how little Kessel likes to deal with the big-city spotlight.
Florida Panthers
4 of 8
Why it could work
The Panthers made huge strides last season and surprisingly challenged for a playoff spot. But their 206 goals were sixth-worst in the league. A big reason for that was their inept power play, which ranked seventh-worst in the NHL rankings. Adding Kessel offers a chance for enough additional scoring to earn enough wins in the standings to qualify for the postseason. After that, anything is possible.
Potential pitfalls
According to the Sun Sentinel's Harvery Fialkov, The Panthers were reportedly interested in Kessel back in February before the trade deadline but weren't willing to pay a steep price at the time. They went out and picked up 25-year veteran Jaromir Jagr instead and signed him to an extension after the season.
The first-round pick, No. 11 overall, could probably be had, but the Leafs would likely have to settle for a secondary roster player like Brandon Pirri or Jimmy Hayes over guys like Jonathan Huberdeau or Aleksander Barkov.
Carolina Hurricanes
5 of 8
Why it could work
The Hurricanes finished with the fourth-fewest goals per game this season and, as a result, have been linked to a potential trade for Kessel by Hockey Buzz. Although the pieces exchanged frequently change in the rumor mill, the Leafs' attempt to pick up the fifth overall pick in the upcoming draft in order to give them back-to-back selections is not a bad idea on their end.
And Carolina adding an elite goal scorer to the roster could spark a team in the process of rebuilding but with a few too many veterans in decline on the team.
Potential pitfalls
The term and overall cost of Kessel's contract is a small-market nightmare. It's a huge commitment.
Washington Capitals
6 of 8
Why it could work
After New York Rangers ousted the Capitals in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal, general manager Brian MacLellan talked about the need for a top winger on the right side to complement Alex Ovechkin. The team tried out a number of different guys all season long but couldn't find a consistent fit.
Kessel would give them the most dangerous line in the league or tremendous scoring depth in the top six if he were to join the second line.
Potential pitfalls
Having Ovechkin and Kessel on the same team is one thing, but could you imagine the same line after they posted two of the league's worst plus-minus ratings in consecutive seasons? Ovechkin had a minus-35 in 2014, and Kessel a minus-34 this year. Maybe head coach Barry Trotz could do for Kessel what he did for Ovechkin and help guide him to a plus-10 in 2015.
New Jersey Devils
7 of 8
Why it could work
The depth on the right side is so thin, the Devils had Jordin Tootoo suiting up on the top line with Travis Zajac and Michael Cammalleri to end the season. Although the team is likely going to be looking to get much younger via the draft and rebuild after a failed attempt to win through free agency, a star scorer the caliber of Kessel could keep fans interested and at least offer an exciting top trio.
The team has plenty of salary-cap space if ownership is willing to spend a little, and Kessel is still young enough at 27 to be a big contributor when the team is ready to challenge for a Stanley Cup. New GM Ray Shero recently told NJ Advance Media's Rich Chere (h/t ProHockeyTalk's Ryan Dadoun) he wil look to address the offensive shortcomings of the team.
Potential pitfalls
Co-owner Josh Harris told the Bergen Record's Tom Gulitti (h/t Dadon) that he is wary of shortcuts in making his team successful. It's possible he could view a move for Kessel as more of a win-now approach as opposed to a long-term solution for the franchise—even though Kessel's contract keeps him in the core for seven more years.
Adding a guy who was a minus-34 last year could be a tough sell for Shero to his bosses, who have built a reputation for team defense.
New York Islanders
8 of 8
Why it could work
The Islanders made it back to the playoffs and look ready to win now despite a relatively young core. They produced a lot of goals last season and have a bona fide franchise player in John Tavares. But a winger like Kessel could spread out the scoring and bump the Isles right to the top of the league offensively. They can afford the return of a young roster player and top prospect or two.
Potential pitfalls
There aren't many. Unless former Maple Leafs Nikolai Kulemin or Mikhail Grabovski offer a bad review of their ex-teammate, there's not a lot to sidetrack a potential deal if both sides are interested.
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