Penguins trade Phil Kessel to Arizona Coyotes

Phil Kessel’s time with the Pittsburgh Penguins is coming to an end. According to national media reports it looks like the Pens and Arizona Coyotes are talking trade and might be close to finalizing it:

We all have known for a while that the Pens have been trying to move on from Kessel. They almost had a deal to acquire Jason Zucker from Minnesota for him, but Kessel blocked taht with his no trade clause.

Kessel is said to be sweet on Arizona due to his relationship with their current head coach and former Pens’ assistant Rick Tocchet.

Galchenyuk, in a lot of ways, it like a younger, lesser version of an offensive minded Kessel type winger. Galchenyuk is signed for 2019-20 at $4.9 million, which would be less than Kessel’s $6.8 million but not significantly so. Galchenyuk is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Yep, in the course of writing this it’s done. the Pens also get prospects defenseman and former first round pick defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph too

Sound off on the deal now. the Pens get the chance they so desired but just traded a 80-90 offensive point player for a 40-50 point player and a young defenseman. Happy enough with it?