LeBrun reached out to GMJR who said the rumors of them wanting to trade Kessel are overblown.

However...

LeBrun also said from his sources around the league the Pens are listening to and getting offers. One is apparently LA, who probably would be a team Phil would OK.

Besides LA, this isn't really new, just being confirmed by a national guy who is fairly well respected.

LeBrun reached out to GMJR who said the rumors of them wanting to trade Kessel are overblown.

However...

LeBrun also said from his sources around the league the Pens are listening to and getting offers. One is apparently LA, who probably would be a team Phil would OK.

Besides LA, this isn't really new, just being confirmed by a national guy who is fairly well respected.
- Tojo.

I read that too. Pretty basic stuff. Not actively shopping him but he'll obvious listen to offers......just like 80-90% of all players in the NHL. Not many players are completely off limits.

I do believe however, there's a little more smoke than usual around this situation. I know both were UFA's, but Sully wasn't thrilled with Cole and Reaves and neither of those guys finished the season in a Penguins jersey. If someone makes a good offer for Kessel, I could very easily see a trade happening. We'd have to jump into the FA market at that point.

I read that too. Pretty basic stuff. Not actively shopping him but he'll obvious listen to offers......just like 80-90% of all players in the NHL. Not many players are completely off limits.

I do believe however, there's a little more smoke than usual around this situation. I know both were UFA's, but Sully wasn't thrilled with Cole and Reaves and neither of those guys finished the season in a Penguins jersey. If someone makes a good offer for Kessel, I could very easily see a trade happening. We'd have to jump into the FA market at that point.
- madmike71

Even if JR is shopping him “actively” I don’t ever recall a GM straight up saying we are trying to get rid of said player. They all give the same response when asked. “If the right deal comes along we would look into it” sort of quote.

Agreed though there is definitely more to this one. Now that pretty much every respected reporter has pretty much said they are talking to teams I think where there is this much smoke, there could be fire. As much as everyone likes to try and compare it to Malkin being talked about it’s not even close to that situation. Would they give him away for nothing? Obviously I don’t think anyone thinks that but I do think they are trying to find something to work out.

I read that too. Pretty basic stuff. Not actively shopping him but he'll obvious listen to offers......just like 80-90% of all players in the NHL. Not many players are completely off limits.

I do believe however, there's a little more smoke than usual around this situation. I know both were UFA's, but Sully wasn't thrilled with Cole and Reaves and neither of those guys finished the season in a Penguins jersey. If someone makes a good offer for Kessel, I could very easily see a trade happening. We'd have to jump into the FA market at that point.
- madmike71

I agree, this could end up happening. We probably don't get a trade we like, but it seems there is enough interest that someone will give the Pens enough for them to make a deal.

This doesn't feel like a situation where the Pens are just listening and waiting for someone to make a ridiculous offer. They'd like to move the guy if they can get good enough value and GMJR is good at figuring out how to make those trades happen.

I agree, this could end up happening. We probably don't get a trade we like, but it seems there is enough interest that someone will give the Pens enough for them to make a deal.

This doesn't feel like a situation where the Pens are just listening and waiting for someone to make a ridiculous offer. They'd like to move the guy if they can get good enough value and GMJR is good at figuring out how to make those trades happen.
- Tojo.

Not sure what you've read about Kessel, but NHL.com has a nice article quoting JR.

I think we all say JR is honest (too much at times), with his press releases or interviews, so he's saying Kessel isn't going & there's no major issue with Sully & Kessel. I doubt any team comes with an offer that changes his mind - Flames would still be my bet as they have a couple of Dmen that could be a possibility.

On another note, I don't understand how the Pens PR don't do more to calm the rumours that are obviously starting from a journo.

As another poster alluded to, I agree that the most logical structure of a Kessel deal is primarily for a defenseman and a young forward...with the defenseman would be the better player.

The tough part is coming up with those exact scenarios on teams we're guessing are on his 8 team list.

So looking at some potential partners, these are the kinds of players I think would make sense in a Kessel deal. The values will vary widely and im not doing all the research on contracts and things...just brainstorming to see if theres something to work with.

Ekholm + Hartman

Domi + Demers / Hjalmarsson (pens add something)

Edmundson/Dunn + Barbashev

Schmidt/McNabb/ Theodore + Haula (recency bias may inflate VGK players value too much to make this work)

Brodin + Coyle

Brodie + Bennett (or Hamilton straight up)

Bjugstad + Petrovic
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I actually like the thought of Brodin and Coyle as long as they take Hunwick in the deal as well.

LeBrun reached out to GMJR who said the rumors of them wanting to trade Kessel are overblown.

However...

LeBrun also said from his sources around the league the Pens are listening to and getting offers. One is apparently LA, who probably would be a team Phil would OK.

Besides LA, this isn't really new, just being confirmed by a national guy who is fairly well respected.
- Tojo.

Adrian Kempe and Derek Forbot + Pick would make sense. LA taking Hunwick's contract.

Was this the highest scoring season since 05-06?