Phil Kessel heading back to Canada in latest trade rumour

2022 could be the year in which Phil Kessel finally gets out of Arizona… Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong reportedly defined the direction that his team is going in and it is believed it will not include Kessel. The veteran forward, who is in the final year of his contract, is looking for a fresh start and is hoping to head to a contender.

This prompted Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal to report that the Oilers would be interested in landing the veteran winger if Arizona is willing to absorb part of his salary.

The issue is that Kessel comes at a high price with his $6.8 million cap hit and that’s why Oilers GM Ken Holland could only make it work if the Coyotes agree to retain some of his salary. (Kessel’s cap hit is $8 million but the Coyotes carry $6.8 million while the Toronto Maple Leafs retain $1.2 million.)

It was once reported that Kessel is willing to waive no-trade clause for the right fit and would no doubt see the thrill to play on the same roster as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

After a disappointing debut campaign for the Coyotes in 2019-20, Kessel bounced back in 2020-21 and put up 20 goals and 43 points in just 56 games. So far this season, he’s tallied 5 goals and 17 points in 29 games. Of course, that’s a far cry from the 30+ goals and 90+ points he was putting up during his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but there’s reason to believe that Kessel still has the skill to produce points.

And this could be why the Oilers are interested in acquiring Kessel, who’s proved in the past, notably in Pittsburgh, that he can support stars in a quest for a Stanley Cup.