TRADE RUMOR SZN: Phil Kessel To Minnesota Discussions Being Had

You know, every time I am feeling bad about the state of the Blackhawks, I just have to look north to the “State of Hockey” to feel better about myself. If this trade goes through, the Wild would have a core built around Kessel, Parise, Eric Staal, Koivu, and Suter. That would’ve been a JUGGERNAUT in 2012. Now…not so much. I don’t know what they’re doing, but this ain’t it.

If Kessel is traded again this summer, that would make three times for his career. He has to go down as one of the most talented players ever to have been traded 3 times. I am sure people will probably say Jagr, but he was so late in his career for most of those trades. Hossa really only got traded twice because the trade to Arizona really didn’t count. Phil has had an incredible career, but he was just born 25 years too late. If he had played in the 80s when nobody gave a fuck about defense or how many hot dogs you ate he’d go down as a top 10 player ever to put on skates. As it is, he is just a very good player. Shoutout to Dale Tallon for drafting Toews 3rd when Kessel was getting hyped to the moon before that draft.

The article in the Athletic says that Zucker could be involved. The Penguins are clearly looking to make a few changes that allow them to max out on the last few dominant years of Crosby and Malkin. Moving out Kessel to save a few bucks could be a good first step.