Phil Kessel: ‘I love Toronto, but if it’s not here, it’s not here’
Phil Kessel says he loves Toronto, but knows that his time there may be coming to an end soon.
Phil Kessel seems almost defeated in his comments.
After a disappointing 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders, the Toronto Maple Leafs have now lost 13 of their last 14 games and 21 of their last 25 games. The Leafs are on a collapse of epic proportions.
Kessel was asked a question regarding the possibility of being traded as the March 2nd NHL trade deadline approaches during the post-game interviews. Kessel seemed to answer in a way that just seems like he’s just throwing his hands in the air and surrendering.
“I go where they want me. I love Toronto. If it’s not here it’s not here,” Kessel said.
This is coming one game after Kessel was demoted to the fourth line in a game against the New York Rangers, when Kessel was a -4 in the game. Kessel has just four goals in the past 25 games, which is a big reason why the Leafs have dropped 21 of those 25 games.
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Head coach Peter Horachek has stated that Kessel has been dealing with some things injury-wise, but it still seems Horachek is looking for more out of his star winger.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment have approved of team president Brendan Shanahan’s ‘scorched-earth’ rebuild, meaning that almost everyone except their budding, young superstars will be moved out of Toronto. They’ve even gone a step further, saying that the likes of captain Dion Pheneuf and Phil Kessel are not in the team’s plans moving forward. So, it seems both of them will be moved, it’s just a matter of whether it will be at the trade deadline, or wait until the offseason.
Despite being on this slump that he’s in right now, Kessel still has 21 goals and 47 points through 56 games this season for the Leafs. He can absolutely be a valuable asset to a team where he won’t necessarily be a core guy, but still a vital role player.
There are already some rumors about a possible trade to the New York Rangers. The Leafs would send them Kessel and possibly other assets for forward Chris Kreider, one of either Anthony Duclair or Brady Skjei, as well as a first-round pick and a second-round pick. However, the clear problem with that trade is the salary cap situation.
The Rangers are pressed right up against the cap right now and just moving Kreider’s salary won’t make room for Kessel’s huge contract, so there would have to be more involved with that trade if it were to happen. Again, this is just a rumor.
It’s a bit heart-breaking to see Kessel’s reaction. You can see he wants to help this franchise, and that was evident when he signed that huge extension to stay with the team long-term. Still, it seems like he’s at a loss of what to do anymore. It honestly might be in Kessel’s best interest, both career-wise and personally, to get a new change of scenery, and that may be what he’s thinking as well.
H/T NBC Sports Pro Hockey Talk, The National Post, SportsNet
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