Newly minted Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning was hoping that he could have a solid heart to heart with his disgruntled center Ryan Kesler and convince him to stay in Van City. The two hundred foot pivot requested a trade last season and he hasn't relented. Try as he'd like, Benning cannot convince Kelser to stay and play with the Canucks. Kesler's name has been trending around the NHL since the Canucks were knocked out of playoff contention in April. His name is front and center in trade talks as we are now six days away from the NHL Entry Draft in Philadelphia.
There are a several NHL GMs who would love to make a trade for Kesler. Anaheim and St. Louis have been rumored to be interested in trading for Kesler. Both Western powers are looking to upgrade their second line center position. Getzlaf-Kesler has a nice ring to it as a top two center pairing, as does Backes-Kesler.
The Ottawa Sun reported on Friday that the Livonia, Michigan native has only two destinations on his list of teams to be traded to: the Chicago Blackhawks or the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Kesler will turn 30 in August and is coming off a 25 goals season with the Canucks. He is in the prime years of his career. He wants badly to win a Stanley Cup. He'll get a legitimate chance to do so in Chicago or Pittsburgh.
How sick would it be to see a three man center rotation of Crosby, Malkin and Kesler?
Jonathon Toews, Kelser, and Andrew Shaw as the 1-2-3 punch down the middle of the ice wouldn't suck too bad either
At what cost Kesler?
Benning stands to take possession of a massive haul i of assets in exchange for Kesler. A top six forward and a first round draft choice seems fair compensation.