Penguins Reportedly Trade Phil Kessel to Arizona Coyotes
By Mark Powell
It's been a long, exhausting offseason for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Phil Kessel, with the star winger the subject of trade talks nearly all summer thus far.
Kessel may very well have worn out his welcome with head coach Mike Sullivan, thus prompting Jim Rutherford to deal Phil the Thrill despite his place as one of the premier scorers Pittsburgh has to offer.
After a deal fell through earlier in the offseason which would've sent Kessel to the Minnesota Wild, a new suitor has emerged--the Arizona Coyotes.
Well, I can’t get confirmation from either team, but there is word tonight PIT/ARIZ are working on a Phil Kessel deal. Stay tuned, let’s see where it goes.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 29, 2019
One would expect the Penguins to hone in on proven, young NHL talent to pair with their returning corps of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in return. While some around the league may disagree, the Pens firmly believe their championship window is wide open.
With this thought in mind, the Penguins have received Alex Galchenyuk, a former third-overall pick who should pair nicely on Pittsburgh's third line. Just last season, Galchenyuk notched 41 points in 72 games.
Galchenyuk confirmed to be going back to the Penguins. https://t.co/STo3gE4khN
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 29, 2019
Along with Alex Galchenyuk, the Penguins will land defensive prospect Pierre-Olivier Joseph, who was a first-round pick in 2017.
TRADE:
— NHL Prospects Watcher (@Prospects_Watch) June 29, 2019
To @Penguins: F-Alex Galchenyuk, D-Pierre-Olivier Joseph.
To @ArizonaCoyotes: F-Phil Kessel, 2020 4th RD pick.
Via @DarrenDreger
Rutherford works in mysterious ways in Pittsburgh, and despite having some unwanted salaries on the books, he's been more than willing to deal a proven scorer like Kessel away for reasons we have yet to fully understand.