Report: Phil Kessel has identified a destination where he would like to play
We reported earlier this month that according to the excellent David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, now that the Arizona Coyotes have paid the $5 million bonus they owed their forward Phil Kessel and now that Rick Tocchet has left (he who had a special relationship with Phil), Kessel is now officially on the trade market and his days there are numbered.
The Coyotes are wondering if another team would be interested in picking him up for a "real" salary of $1 million for next season.
His impact on the payroll remains at 6.8 million, but the owner of the team that acquires him will only have to pay him 1 million for the next year.
In addition, since Arizona seems quite determined to trade him, any deal would likely include a 50% salary cap hit. (So an impact of 3.4 million on the mass and 1 million in "real" salary for Kessel)
Kessel is a power play specialist and has a strong positive impact on a 5 man offense on his own. He has scored everywhere he has been.
- He has averaged 25 goals and 64 points / 82 games over the past three seasons and 20 goals (43 points) in 56 games in 2021. He passed the 900 career point mark this past year.
After Pagnotta, Craig Morgan of AZ Coyotes Insider reported that Kessel has officially requested a trade, and he has a destination lined up.
There is growing speculation that he would like to finish his career in Las Vegas, but it will be complicated for the Golden Knights to add his 3.4 million on top of that (assuming the Coyotes retain 50% of his salary).
With the major injury to Alex Tuch and his long-term absence, there may be room for him, but the Knights have other priorities.
They would still be in the Jack Eichel derby, but will have to release 1 or 2 contracts to hope to bring the Sabres captain into their ranks.
One thing is certain, Phil Kessel would have asked his agent to try to get him out of Arizona and move him to Las Vegas, if possible.
More details to come..
Credit: HabsolumentFan
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