Phil Kessel Disputes Jim Rutherford's Claim He Ever Asked for Trade From Penguins in Awkward Moment
By Sean Facey
It seems as though Phil Kessel is leaving the Penguins on sour terms.
On the same day that he was traded to the Arizona Coyotes, Kessel disputed general manager Jim Rutherford's claim that he requested to be dealt numerous times.
Penguins GM Jim Rutherford and winger Phil Kessel are very much in disagreement on his alleged trade requests out of Pittsburgh. Rutherford said on Saturday, after trading Kessel to Arizona, that Kessel asked to be traded a numerous times, but changed... https://t.co/yoR7phrUmm
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 30, 2019
"Jim came to me, one time, and said to me that I’ll never be a Penguin again," said Kessel. "I think he’s mistaken a little bit there."
Now that's awkward. Having a player and executive mincing words over whether or not the player asked for a trade definitely isn't a good look.
Kessel was nearly traded during the season, and he's been at the center of a whirlwind of trade talks, so for all intents and purposes, it's not entirely surprising that the two parties are mincing words over whether or not he requested to be dealt.
The Arizona Coyotes have acquired forward Phil Kessel and a 4th round pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Alex Galchenyuk and defenceman Pierre-Olivier Joseph (23rd overall, 2017).
— Complete Hockey News (@CompleteHkyNews) June 29, 2019
No salary retained. pic.twitter.com/DTNEZxHXtx
The 13-year NHL veteran was a vital piece for the success of the Penguins during his four-year stint in Pittsburgh. He finished three of his four seasons with 70 or more points, including an 82-point showing last year.
He now joins an exciting and young Coyotes team that hopes he can be the piece to push them over the hump and bring them to the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season.