I understand that Kessel wants to play for a team with a good chance of winning the Cup. With that in mind he has to do his part and "bring something to the table", especially considering his salary. In his case it is scoring.

I think the Pens are going to lose bad in any Kessel trade and should abandon the idea right now. I just hope he has a better season next season. This is especially the case if he really does want out because then it would be easier to trade him to a desirable team.

I understand that Kessel wants to play for a team with a good chance of winning the Cup. With that in mind he has to do his part and "bring something to the table", especially considering his salary. In his case it is scoring.

I think the Pens are going to lose bad in any Kessel trade and should abandon the idea right now. I just hope he has a better season next season. This is especially the case if he really does want out because then it would be easier to trade him to a desirable team.
- PghPens668771

2nd most points in his career... after a career year. But yeah, he doesnt score enough and needs to do better.

You're a (frank)ing moron bud.

I obviously have zero knowledge of anything here but it kinda seems like Phil wants out and that the animosity goes both ways. I don’t think Phil is an issue with the players themselves but within the organization as a whole and with the coaching staff he is one, and that’s pretty much never a tenable situation. Obviously my ideal way to fix this is to just get a new GM and coach, but that’s not gonna happen unless Rutherford pisses off Mario by pursuing a Malkin trade.
- Victoro311

I don't think, aside from Sully, he's disliked, quite the opposite. But he refuses to play how the coach wants.

And whether it's true or not, there's a perception he's a bad influence on Malkin and that Malkin is more coachable when he doesn't have another star player to rebel with.

Also think there is a getting younger and playing style component that gets ignored.

I don't think, aside from Sully, he's disliked, quite the opposite. But he refuses to play how the coach wants.

And whether it's true or not, there's a perception he's a bad influence on Malkin and that Malkin is more coachable when he doesn't have another star player to rebel with.

Also think there is a getting younger and playing style component that gets ignored.
- Tojo.

No I agree. I think he’s liked just fine by the other players in the locker room. I think the issues are with Rutherford and Sullivan, but a rift between player and coaching staff/management is just as untenable as a rift between player and other players.

The getting younger/playing style thing is so dumb and that’s totally part of the issue here. A coach is supposed to design his system around his star players strength, but Sullivan refuses to do that and would rather downgrade Phil to an inferior player who “plays the right way”.

I can't remember if it was Madden or Dejan or Yohe or someone else, but, there was a story where it was a common practice for the team to be in a huddle with Sullivan talking, and Phil would be off on the side shooting into the net and not listening. Being the only one doing this, obviously had to eat at Sullivan, and probably even Crosby.

No poop bud
- Guile

He edited the article, originally it said coming home to Minnesota.

I obviously have zero knowledge of anything here but it kinda seems like Phil wants out and that the animosity goes both ways. I don’t think Phil is an issue with the players themselves but within the organization as a whole and with the coaching staff he is one, and that’s pretty much never a tenable situation. Obviously my ideal way to fix this is to just get a new GM and coach, but that’s not gonna happen unless Rutherford pisses off Mario by pursuing a Malkin trade.
- Victoro311

But did the animosity Phil may be feeling begin before he knew they shopping him or after?

He edited the article, originally it said coming home to Minnesota.
- SpacemanSpiff

Nah. RW doesn't read our comments anymore

Nah. RW doesn't read our comments anymore
- Guile

Well, another noted it besides me. He did edit the article.

TSN mentioned Dallas could be a fit. They have cap space and I doubt they give up a conditional 1st to resign Zucc. Not to mention they only have about 4 D under contract if we are looking to include JJ or Maata.

Kessel and JJ for Hintz, Nishkushin & a 1st? I think Hintz could play in the Pens top 6 as early as this year. Nishowever you spell it might not amount to anything but worth a crack. Cap space would be the premium acquisition here though.

Do that and send Bjugstad and that first to Minny for Zucker perhaps? They have pretty much shown their hand with him and just like the Pens seem dead set on trading him.

I obviously have zero knowledge of anything here but it kinda seems like Phil wants out and that the animosity goes both ways. I don’t think Phil is an issue with the players themselves but within the organization as a whole and with the coaching staff he is one, and that’s pretty much never a tenable situation. Obviously my ideal way to fix this is to just get a new GM and coach, but that’s not gonna happen unless Rutherford pisses off Mario by pursuing a Malkin trade.
- Victoro311

I said this last off-season when the pens lost to the caps and at the time it was “laughable” when I said it here because why wouldn’t 2 stars want to play together is what everyone said... I have no idea if Malkin and Kessel are “friends” off the ice but apparently Malkin doesn’t want to play with Kessel for whatever reasons he has who knows but there will be more to this story

No I agree. I think he’s liked just fine by the other players in the locker room. I think the issues are with Rutherford and Sullivan, but a rift between player and coaching staff/management is just as untenable as a rift between player and other players.

The getting younger/playing style thing is so dumb and that’s totally part of the issue here. A coach is supposed to design his system around his star players strength, but Sullivan refuses to do that and would rather downgrade Phil to an inferior player who “plays the right way”.
- Victoro311

I think he is designing his system around what he has. When they were a fast team, he created a system to take advantage of that. But the stars are aging and the supporting cast isn't as swift.

Instead, they have a lot of guys like Hornqvist, Bjugstad, Simon, Rust, etc who play more of a style that grinds teams out by dominating possession down low. This is a style that most of the team's stars can play including Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Letang, but not Phil.

They could decide his offense is worth making the exception. I agree it's not though as he's only a break even guy at ES who both scores and gives up alot.

Everyone knows there doesn't need to be some ulterior motive to trading Kessel, right?

They think they can get better for the long term by trading him, that is why he is on the block.

Who knows... maybe the Pens feel they have the inside track on a top free agent who can replace Kessel?

I said this last off-season when the pens lost to the caps and at the time it was “laughable” when I said it here because why wouldn’t 2 stars want to play together is what everyone said... I have no idea if Malkin and Kessel are “friends” off the ice but apparently Malkin doesn’t want to play with Kessel for whatever reasons he has who knows but there will be more to this story
- pens4life-66

I've heard both Malkin does and doesn't want to play with Phil so I have no idea which is true. I'm convinced he'd be better without him.

I can't remember if it was Madden or Dejan or Yohe or someone else, but, there was a story where it was a common practice for the team to be in a huddle with Sullivan talking, and Phil would be off on the side shooting into the net and not listening. Being the only one doing this, obviously had to eat at Sullivan, and probably even Crosby.
- jmy_1

Disclaimer - I'm not a Kessel fan.

That tells other players - " . . . hell with what the coach has to say, I'm going to do what I want."
With Phil whining that Minni doesn't have the right players to make a SC run that also indicates he admittedly can't carry a team without someone getting him the puck. I'd bet if you put one of Crosby, Malkin, or McDavid on Minni and they'd be in the playoffs, and make the team better. And you'd get defense from those guys.
With Phil on Minni . . . meh . . . He's a complimentary player, not "The Man" on a team.

TSN mentioned Dallas could be a fit. They have cap space and I doubt they give up a conditional 1st to resign Zucc. Not to mention they only have about 4 D under contract if we are looking to include JJ or Maata.

Kessel and JJ for Hintz, Nishkushin & a 1st? I think Hintz could play in the Pens top 6 as early as this year. Nishowever you spell it might not amount to anything but worth a crack. Cap space would be the premium acquisition here though.

Do that and send Bjugstad and that first to Minny for Zucker perhaps? They have pretty much shown their hand with him and just like the Pens seem dead set on trading him.
- MacPatty

I'd still try to make a deal for Zucker as well. They seem to want speed and a right handed RW, so Rust+ might be a fit if Phil won't go there.

If the Pens actually made the Phil for Subban move and got Zucker in a separate deal that would be my dream off season. Ok, and move JJ.

What is the list of 8 he cant waive to ? Keep hearing that the Sabres with Botts looking to deal. Im sure he wont come to Buffalo
- jerryj22

Not public, but my guess:

Toronto, Philly, Boston, Tampa Bay, Vegas, Washington, Nashville, Winnipeg. (Florida or San Jose as dark horses.)

Worth noting, players list of trade/no trade is usually done on July 1 and applies an entire year, so it's not necessarily who he would list now, it's who he listed last summer.

I dont get it. Is it simply because hes allegedly (and probably is) weird that coaches and teams dislike him?

Never see chatter from player 'leaks' about disliking Phil, always is a level above. Granted I dont look super hard, but feel like I'd have stumbled into one by now.

He could be beating up his gf or doing lines of coke... but nope, let's hate him because hes strange and talks to himself on the bench.
- Guile

From what I've read, he was openly insubordinate to the coaches season. Worse, he apparently treats the underlings like sh!t. Locker room people, PR people, etc. That's where I draw the line. I've known people like that......total dbags to people who don't have any power or status.

I'd still try to make a deal for Zucker as well. They seem to want speed and a right handed RW, so Rust+ might be a fit if Phil won't go there.

If the Pens actually made the Phil for Subban move and got Zucker in a separate deal that would be my dream off season. Ok, and move JJ.
- Tojo.

Kessel to Nashville makes so much sense other than the fact that Nashville could address their need in free agency and push off trading a defender until next offseason when the Josi extension takes effect

That’s an interesting point about Rust for Zucker. Does Rust, JJ, a 1st and a second make sense for Zucker and Rask? Idk but I don’t think MN is looking to just unload him for peanuts a la the Skinner trade

From what I've read, he was openly insubordinate to the coaches season. Worse, he apparently treats the underlings like sh!t. Locker room people, PR people, etc. That's where I draw the line. I've known people like that......total dbags to people who don't have any power or status.
- madmike71

So... any links to what you've read saying he treats staff like poop?

I’m surprised RW hasn’t written about Frolik yet. He’s written about him in the past and he’s already rumored to be on the way out. He just put up 14 points in 10 WHC games. Panik I think put up 8 points for Slovakia.

I would rather take my chances taking Panik and giving him $4MM for 6 years (giving him the extra year or two in hopes to keep the cap hit moderate) than overpaying for Ferland, although he could turn out to be a great fit.. or not

2 teams on his 8 team trade list are Hogtown & Beantown so leaves just 6 teams he can be traded to unless he waives.

So... any links to what you've read saying he treats staff like poop?
- Guile

It's behind DK's paywall, but he wrote this a couple of weeks ago...

What I’m comfortable sharing at this level of confirmation is this: Kessel’s well-known passion for poker/gambling affected his focus and preparation, in the eyes of the team, including into the Stanley Cup playoffs. Also, his open insubordination toward Mike Sullivan and the assistant coaches, as well as repeated vocal berating of the team’s staff — media relations people, equipment managers and others — has more than worn thin with all concerned. I’ve witnessed the latter with my own eyes — as have several others — most recently in the PPG Paints Arena locker room minutes after the Game 4 loss. When the team was winning, it was mostly shrugged off with Phil-being-Phil jokes. Not anymore. — Dejan Kovacevic

Yohe has also mentioned similar stuff.

It's behind DK's paywall, but he wrote this a couple of weeks ago...

What I’m comfortable sharing at this level of confirmation is this: Kessel’s well-known passion for poker/gambling affected his focus and preparation, in the eyes of the team, including into the Stanley Cup playoffs. Also, his open insubordination toward Mike Sullivan and the assistant coaches, as well as repeated vocal berating of the team’s staff — media relations people, equipment managers and others — has more than worn thin with all concerned. I’ve witnessed the latter with my own eyes — as have several others — most recently in the PPG Paints Arena locker room minutes after the Game 4 loss. When the team was winning, it was mostly shrugged off with Phil-being-Phil jokes. Not anymore. — Dejan Kovacevic

Yohe has also mentioned similar stuff.
- madmike71

I stopped paying to DK... something about threesomes with him and his wife to be a female writer there... and his poop is mediocre most the time.

Kessel to Nashville makes so much sense other than the fact that Nashville could address their need in free agency and push off trading a defender until next offseason when the Josi extension takes effect

That’s an interesting point about Rust for Zucker. Does Rust, JJ, a 1st and a second make sense for Zucker and Rask? Idk but I don’t think MN is looking to just unload him for peanuts a la the Skinner trade
- WSCTeton17

Nashville doesn't have to move Subban this year to get under the cap, but they do have to move salary to add up front, with Subban being the main name in the rumor mill to though I don't think they're set on trading him. And Duchene seems to be their main target.

Supposedly Zucker was almost traded for Frolik and a pick but they missed the deadline. Since then, the rumor is they want a RH RW so Fiala and Donato can play on the left.

Yeah, trading Zucker to make room for Fiala and Donato. Fenton seems like a GM we should trade with.