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Pittsburgh Penguins general manager claimed in his final press conference of the 2017-2018 season that there will be changes to the roster heading into the 2018-2019 season. He knows who those players are and Rutherford wouldn't specifically say who it would be. This leaves Penguins fans wondering who it will be. Is Phil Kessel one of those players? If it is, here is why they shouldn't trade him.
Kessel was the most consistent Pittsburgh Penguins player during the 2017-2018 season. He scored 34 goals and recorded 58 assists during the regular season and his plus/minus was -4. Kessel also had 42 power-play points and he was on the first power-play unit all season.
They also shouldn't trade him because he played with an injury during the playoffs and Kessel should be fine at the start of the 2018-2019 season. He only scored a goal and recorded eight assists during the postseason and his plus/minus was -5.
His contract is up after the 2021-2022 season. Kessel is owed $6.8 million a year for the next few seasons, but he is worth the money.
General manager Jim Rutherford also claimed that Daniel Sprong will be on the roster and he is a right-winger. Kessel and Patric Hornqvist are also right-wingers. Trading Kessel would mean less depth at the right wing position, especially since if Hornqvist or Sprong were to get injured.
Bryan Rust and Tom Kuhnhackl also play the right wing, but they are both restricted free agents. One of them might not be re-signed, but I hope both of them are back for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The most likely scenario is that Carl Hagelin, Conor Sheary, Kris Letang, Matt Hunwick, and/or Derick Brassard will be moved for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kessel is one of the best goal scorers in the league and I think the combination of Kessel, Evgeni Malkin, and Sidney Crosby is tough to stop on the power play. That is why they were the best in the NHL during the regular season.
The reason why this is even a discussion is that Kessel might have the most value for a trade. I don't think they should do it and this could be a possible sign of waiving the white flag for the next couple of years. The Pittsburgh Penguins are in win-now mode and just because they didn't win the cup this season, it doesn't mean that the entire roster should be blown up.
