Empoleon8771
Registered User
There are a ton of issues with trading Kessel, but I think these are the 3 most obvious:
1. The Penguins have won 2 cups in a row with Kessel playing a huge role in both. Kessel's in a phenomenal situation here, where he can continue to win and not be put in the spotlight. The criticisms of his play are muffled a lot from him not being in the spotlight. Why would he say yes to any sort of trade on a team on his NTC, plus why wouldn't he construct his NTC so that he can't be traded? This is such a good situation for Kessel that I flat out don't think he'd allow a trade.
2. Kessel obviously isn't expendable on this team yet, at least not until Sprong makes the jump into the NHL. If you trade Kessel before Sprong does that, who are you going to replace Kessel with? There isn't another RH scoring winger in the organization outside of Kessel.
3. What kind of return can you get for Kessel where you can justify trading him. Let's say a Toronto situation happens with Kessel, where you happen to find a team that isn't on his NTC and would trade for him. What possible return could the Penguins pull off that actually makes them a better team? Free agency sucks this year and the Pens don't have that many tradeable assets, so it has to be Kessel for something that helps the Penguins win now.
I could buy them wanting to trade Kessel because of possible issues with the coaching staff, plus concerns with how his game will age into his 30s. But for the reasons above, I really doubt the Penguins would be able to pull it off, nor would they really pursue the option that much.
1. The Penguins have won 2 cups in a row with Kessel playing a huge role in both. Kessel's in a phenomenal situation here, where he can continue to win and not be put in the spotlight. The criticisms of his play are muffled a lot from him not being in the spotlight. Why would he say yes to any sort of trade on a team on his NTC, plus why wouldn't he construct his NTC so that he can't be traded? This is such a good situation for Kessel that I flat out don't think he'd allow a trade.
2. Kessel obviously isn't expendable on this team yet, at least not until Sprong makes the jump into the NHL. If you trade Kessel before Sprong does that, who are you going to replace Kessel with? There isn't another RH scoring winger in the organization outside of Kessel.
3. What kind of return can you get for Kessel where you can justify trading him. Let's say a Toronto situation happens with Kessel, where you happen to find a team that isn't on his NTC and would trade for him. What possible return could the Penguins pull off that actually makes them a better team? Free agency sucks this year and the Pens don't have that many tradeable assets, so it has to be Kessel for something that helps the Penguins win now.
I could buy them wanting to trade Kessel because of possible issues with the coaching staff, plus concerns with how his game will age into his 30s. But for the reasons above, I really doubt the Penguins would be able to pull it off, nor would they really pursue the option that much.