You know what I don't understand? How some fans think that Kessel can't be included in the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs while they speak of James Reimer and Matt Frattin as young future pieces we have to wait on the develop.
Phil Kessel, is 93 days older than Matt Frattin and 153 more career goals than him.
Phil Kessel is 165 days older than James Reimer.
How can a team be in purgatory until it gets rid of a player who is the same age as everyone else in its 'future core'? If Frattin and Reimer have upside, I'm pretty sure Phil does as well.
We have a lot of trade happy fans, many who are not very bright. Just because Damien Cox (a famous idiot) thinks we should trade Kessel does not mean we will or should. The guy can play for us for 10 years or more....
The guys who are saying we need to trade him in case we can't sign him have 0 clue. Most teams try to sign their better players, they don't panic and trade them before the renegotiaon window opens.
It makes sense to see if he wants an extention and if the deal can get done, if so sign and play. If not, then, and only then do we think about moving him.