Ryan Wilson: Two Penguins on TSN's trade bait board Two Penguins on TSN's trade bait board

Just a hypothetical, but I know Calgary has been talking about moving a top D for forward help, would anyone do Kessel for Hamilton, straight up? (Would also be an ironic/full circle trade)

JR does NOT mince words. If he says it's blown out of proportion, it's blown out of proportion.

You look at what JR said about Letang and he didn't mince words not be cryptic. He completely alluded that Letang could be had in a deal.

This comment regarding Phil doesn't allude to anything other than the situation has been blown out of proportion; that's it. You could extrapolate the following:

1) There IS a situation, but not as dire as the media has reported.
2) This makes him possibly available.

When I look at the Letang comment, he clearly says he's not actively trying to trade, but he can't project an offer some team might make. That pretty clearly says if the right deal comes along, a trade could happen.

THIS IS NOT A TRADE LETANG COMMENT! I'm merely pointing out how JR speaks to the media.

Just a hypothetical, but I know Calgary has been talking about moving a top D for forward help, would anyone do Kessel for Hamilton, straight up? (Would also be an ironic/full circle trade)
- kfinl170

This is a pretty tough thing to gauge. As a Pens fan, I think it's completely fair. Phil is coming off a 92 point season and while it's more likely than not he won't repeat that next year, he's clearly not showing any signs of slowing down and is cost-controlled.

My guess though? Due to his age CGY would view that deal as lopsided in the Pens' favor. Kessels is a 30 year old winger and Hamilton is a 24 year old top-pairing right-handed dman, and those are much harder to come by.

CGY would most likely want more.

JR does NOT mince words. If he says it's blown out of proportion, it's blown out of proportion.

You look at what JR said about Letang and he didn't mince words not be cryptic. He completely alluded that Letang could be had in a deal.

This comment regarding Phil doesn't allude to anything other than the situation has been blown out of proportion; that's it. You could extrapolate the following:

1) There IS a situation, but not as dire as the media has reported.
2) This makes him possibly available.

When I look at the Letang comment, he clearly says he's not actively trying to trade, but he can't project an offer some team might make. That pretty clearly says if the right deal comes along, a trade could happen.

THIS IS NOT A TRADE LETANG COMMENT! I'm merely pointing out how JR speaks to the media.
- Rinosaur

Bob Mckenzie said "Phil Kessel is eminently available". That's one guy that I would tend to believe. He usually doesn't go out on many limbs. Does it mean Kessel will be moved.....of course not.

CGY front office has said these are false leaks that have pissed them off and they aren't even listening to offers on Dougie. Makes sense, they gave up like a 1st and two 2nds to get him and he's been a stud for them.

Just a hypothetical, but I know Calgary has been talking about moving a top D for forward help, would anyone do Kessel for Hamilton, straight up? (Would also be an ironic/full circle trade)
- kfinl170

Not on your life. No (frank)ing way.

Brodie and Fox and something else on the other hand..

Bob Mckenzie said "Phil Kessel is eminently available". That's one guy that I would tend to believe. He usually doesn't go out on many limbs. Does it mean Kessel will be moved.....of course not.
- madmike71

When did he say that?

I would explore a Sheary for Petrovic swap.

Just a hypothetical, but I know Calgary has been talking about moving a top D for forward help, would anyone do Kessel for Hamilton, straight up? (Would also be an ironic/full circle trade)
- kfinl170

No - never - not a chance. Hamilton will not be traded unless there is a huge over payment offered for him. The Flames are not shopping him but he is the D that everybody wants.
--RHD
--Top Pairing Minutes
--Young (24)
--Great contract (5.75 annually I think it is)
--Most goals in the league for a defenceman last year
--6 foot 6

In what world does anybody trade that package unless there is a massive overpayment - and Phil is not that!

When did he say that?
- Rinosaur

He said it on his Bobcast the other day. Pretty much the same thing... for the right price the Penguins would definitely trade him. Nothing earth shattering, but interesting just the same.

He said it on his Bobcast the other day. Pretty much the same thing... for the right price the Penguins would definitely trade him. Nothing earth shattering, but interesting just the same.
- madmike71

Gotcha.

Wouldn't mind GMJR trading Phil to a contender, and packaging Hunwick and/or Sheary with him for 1 or 2 NHL ready prospects who can contribute in sheltered roles in the second half of the season / playoffs. He could use the cap space to sign a quality 2nd line LW, a respectable 4th line LW, and round out a solid 3rd D pairing. Doesn't seem like "win-now" mentality, but I like the idea of a more balanced roster with suitable replacements when/if someone gets hurt or their game goes south at the wrong time of the year. It would also set us up better for the rest of the 87/71 era as opposed to just worrying about each next season as they come.

59-87-72
??-71-41
62-19-17
??-25-46

8 - 58
3 - 4
?? - ??

2 quality prospects.

Who knows what happens with Oleksiak, Sheary, and Hunwick

Would love to keep Kessel, but we're so crowded at RW. I think players performing above their pay grade is vital to a cup run, and that type of talent can't be acquired in free agency. Move him for promising players, use the cap space to sure up LW and D, and pray those prospects deliver sooner rather than later.

Ironically enough, a trade with Toronto for a player like Kapenan is what I'm envisioning. While it will never happen, Toronto is now the perfect place for Phil. He doesn't have to be the star, their mindset is cup or bust, and Kapenan would be an excellent add for us, while giving cap relief for other needed areas. I'm not sure of his current contract situation but someone similar on ELC is the idea here.

A gm would never say one of his stars is very available until the deal is done or a karllson type situation where it needs to be done.

I hope we make a move this year. I think a team needs to make a few changes to keep the cup energy alive.

If Letang could get us karlson or subban I’d do it.....not sure on the details and would need a long term deal in place for ek.

I’m fine with moving kessel for the right return like a new second tier star. Just good to change things up a little. I wouldn’t do a deal to free up cap space. Finding ufa wingers has been huge overpayments. Unless we can get in on Tavares at 10/year I wouldn’t just move Phil for prospects/picks. And if we could get Tavares for 10/year I’d be fine with trading Phil for a 7thr round pick. Not happening but Durant to golden state happened and it would be similar.

A gm would never say one of his stars is very available until the deal is done or a karllson type situation where it needs to be done.

I hope we make a move this year. I think a team needs to make a few changes to keep the cup energy alive.

If Letang could get us karlson or subban I’d do it.....not sure on the details and would need a long term deal in place for ek.

I’m fine with moving kessel for the right return like a new second tier star. Just good to change things up a little. I wouldn’t do a deal to free up cap space. Finding ufa wingers has been huge overpayments. Unless we can get in on Tavares at 10/year I wouldn’t just move Phil for prospects/picks. And if we could get Tavares for 10/year I’d be fine with trading Phil for a 7thr round pick. Not happening but Durant to golden state happened and it would be similar.
- sditulli

EK or PK for Letang equals less cap space (except for this upcoming season for EK being like a 750K savings). All you're doing is swapping defensemen and minimizing our budget for other needed areas. EK will get more than PK; therefore I like Letang's $7.25 cap hit moving forward.

I hear you on overpaying wingers, but LW is probably the deepest free agent position this year. It's a buyer's market. I think JVR and Kovalchuk top out at $7M (someone may overpay for Kovalchuk). I'd be interested in the 2nd tier like Maroon, Vanek, and Nash in the $3M-$5M range.

There's obviously a lot of options for reshaping. A trade for Max Domi is one floating around where we probably don't have to give up too much to get him. If Kessel can bring back multiple players worthy of the starting roster then I like it. I just think if they're actually going to do some reshaping, they'll be best served to dilute Phil's cap hit into more players in return. If you do it through trades, you may acquire players with better contracts. If you can add intelligently though in free agency, and not overpay, we can use our asset(s) to acquire future talent as well.

I'm wondering what started all this trade talk & discontent about Philbo?

Has it actually been reported (by a reputable source), that there is an issue, & how it has been identified?

If Phil isn't happy, has he spoken to Sully? JR? His agent who then spoke to JR? Has it come through management sources?

I can't see Phil talking to the coach or GM directly, his agent? Maybe JR, but not Sully.

So has Sully intimated that he wants Phil out? Control freak that can't stand Phils attitude?

Seems like another version of the Geno to the Hawks to Be the man saga only the reporters like Geno (I think - no sources only mustard), & appear to dislike Phil.

Would love to keep Kessel, but we're so crowded at RW. I think players performing above their pay grade is vital to a cup run, and that type of talent can't be acquired in free agency. Move him for promising players, use the cap space to sure up LW and D, and pray those prospects deliver sooner rather than later.

Ironically enough, a trade with Toronto for a player like Kapenan is what I'm envisioning. While it will never happen, Toronto is now the perfect place for Phil. He doesn't have to be the star, their mindset is cup or bust, and Kapenan would be an excellent add for us, while giving cap relief for other needed areas. I'm not sure of his current contract situation but someone similar on ELC is the idea here.

I see what you did here

I think if you can add Domi for Sheary plus a few picks and/or a low level prospect then you do it. I think he would really add what the Pens need. That being said I wouldn't move Sprong or anything like that for him. Minor tinkering is needed this offseason and that's all.

Trading Kessel is stupid!
6.8mil cap hit for a top 10 scorer or top 20 he Kessel takes a step backwards is great value. Pit is in a win now situation and with the cap increasing can easily address some areas
Pit needs to ride out Crosby,Malkin,Letang and Kessel to the end period!!!!!

Bob Mckenzie said "Phil Kessel is eminently available". That's one guy that I would tend to believe. He usually doesn't go out on many limbs. Does it mean Kessel will be moved.....of course not.
- madmike71

Usually there's a cycle where guys get mentioned and it takes a couple windows. Normally I'd guess they wouldn't do this at the deadline so it would be a next year trade. But this is GMJR and he's very aggressive so I wouldn't be surprised if they made a move.

Trading Kessel is stupid!
6.8mil cap hit for a top 10 scorer or top 20 he Kessel takes a step backwards is great value. Pit is in a win now situation and with the cap increasing can easily address some areas
Pit needs to ride out Crosby,Malkin,Letang and Kessel to the end period!!!!!
- Leafs66

That's how most of us feel, but there's a rift with the coach so it might happen anyways even if it shouldn't.

Just a hypothetical, but I know Calgary has been talking about moving a top D for forward help, would anyone do Kessel for Hamilton, straight up? (Would also be an ironic/full circle trade)
- kfinl170

I'd prefer getting a LD actually since we have Letang and Schultz, but that's such a great value for the Pens I'd have to do it and figure out the rest later.

That's how most of us feel, but there's a rift with the coach so it might happen anyways even if it shouldn't.
- Tojo.

Allegedly. I personally don’t buy those reports.