I thought it'd be a good idea to get all the Kesler rumours/speculation in one thread as it seems to be a topic discussed in a number of threads (most heavily in the Armchair GM thread and the Trade Deadline thread), and will likely be discussed for a while. This would reduce a lot of the clutter so those threads can be used to discuss other things.
Louis Jean @LouisJean_TVA
Sources say Ryan Kesler requested a trade some time ago & wants out of Vcr. Told #Canucks don't want to trade him but may not have a choice.
Louis Jean @LouisJean_TVA
It should be noted, Kesler's trade request goes back to the start of the season. #Canucks #NHL
Bruce Arthur @bruce_arthur
On @LouisJean_TVA's Kesler trade request story: Kesler was also telling people he wanted out of Vancouver after the bronze medal game. So ..
Jason Botchford @botchford
GMMG: If he did want out or he didn't want out I wouldn't discuss it publicly. I'm not going to debate whether the report is accurate or not
Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Whether Kesler requested traded, and I can neither confirm nor reject the report, teams have been calling VAN on him. Canucks are listening
Adrian Dater @adater
Ryan Kesler has NOT requested a trade, his agent Kurt Overhardt tells me. Says reports saying so are "BS"
Farhan Lalji @FarhanLaljiTSN
Kesler says he's never asked for a trade. Asked if he would waive his NTC if asked, "I don't want to talk about what ifs" #canucks
Nick Kypreos @RealKyper
Early indication from one #NHL club say #Canucks ask for Kesler may include as many as 3 pieces. A 1st rd pick, roster player/ prospect.
Nick Kypreos @RealKyper
#RedWings #Penguins #Rangers interested in Kesler. No shortage of offers starting 2 come in for #Canucks. I'm leaning towards a trade by Wed
Bruce Garrioch @SunGarrioch
@RealKyper Add the Blue Jackets to that list
Despite the exhilarating game going on, people begin talking on press row, swapping info on Kesler, trying to decode if he was happy in Vancouver, or if it made sense he wanted out. Being on the bottom end of the totem pole, I won't say what was said, but lots of random side stories were bandied about over Kesler; stuff that was said to them off the record and such, and his mind set over certain things that had happened the last couple of seasons. The conclusion was that yes, where there is smoke, there is indeed fire.
Source: TheStanchion
It doesn't sound as though Kesler actually made a formal trade request at any time, although it was clearly indicated that a change of scenery could benefit both the player and the team; so perhaps semantics, if anything else.
The bottom line:
• A number of NHL teams have gotten calls from the Canucks on Kesler and vice versa.
• The price is "significantly high," says one Western Conference source. Says a different source, "Really high. And I guess I can't blame them."
• The Canucks have made it clear to other teams that they don't feel the need to move him before Wednesday's deadline, that they're more than happy to pick this up again in June if their price isn't met. Or not move him at all if their price isn't met.
• Kesler is signed for two more seasons, which means if you're trading for him now, you've got three more playoffs out of the gritty, two-way star. And at $5 million a year, he's below market value.
Source: Lebrun
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