Sure, the Philadelphia Flyers could use a top-line winger … but Toronto Maple Leafs star Phil Kessel?
According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Kessel would be happy to accept a trade to Philadelphia — in fact, the Flyers are one of just eight teams he would waive his no-trade clause for.
Kessel’s limited NTC is believed to include eight teams he can be traded to. Prior to the trade deadline, TSN reported those eight teams were believed to be: Boston; Chicago; Los Angeles; Minnesota; Montreal; New York Rangers; Philadelphia; and Pittsburgh.
Kessel has been involved in trade rumors for a while now, and he’s constantly (and usually unfairly) the target of the blood-thirsty Toronto media. (Sounds familiar, right?)
You might think that the Leafs would be crazy to shop Kessel in a trade, but at this stage, they’re going full rebuild under new coach Mike Babcock and team president Brendan Shanahan. Getting Kessel’s contract off the books is the perfect way to accelerate a youth-led rebuild.
The Flyers should not even pick up the phone
That salary is exactly the reason Kessel wouldn’t work here in Philly. He comes with a cap hit of $8 million per season through 2022, and he’ll be 34 years old when that contract is over.
Add that to whatever the cost to acquire Kessel in a trade might be — think of your favorite good, young prospect in the Flyers system and there’s your starting point — and it’s just not even worth asking the question. Kessel’s a very good hockey player and he would look great on the Flyers’ top line, but the cost is just not worth it.
