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NHL Trade: Penguins acquire Phil Kessel from Maple Leafs

By Josh Hill

Jan 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have found a way to turn things around in 2015-16, acquiring Phil Kessel from the Maple Leafs as they continue to alter their franchise’s makeup.

After another embarrassing exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins entered this offseason needing to change a few things about the makeup of their team.

One move no one saw them making was adding an All-Star player in a massive trade that changes more than just their own roster. That player is Phil Kessel, who the Maple Leafs have been reluctant to trade by have finally settled on a deal that they like

According to Bob McKenzie from TSN, the Maple Leafs have finally traded Phil Kessel, and the Penguins are the final destination.

This is a little surprising, but the Penguins are in a position where they needed this deal to happen. The Pens are a dumpster fire, despite the winning seasons and the prestige. It’s been years since they won the Stanley Cup and just about as long since they’ve been legitimate contenders.

After starting his career so hot, Sidney Crosby has seemed to plateau and is suddenly in the same boat as Alexander Ovechkin in that we’re not sure when or if he’ll ever reach the Cup Final again. Obviously, Ovechkin hasn’t reached the Cup Final ever, but this move to acquire Kessel is one that instantly makes the Pens competitive again.

For the Maple Leafs, the eight-player deal means that they’re going to enter next season with a truly different outlook than they had in years past. They have the new leadership of Mike Babcock and his change in philosophy is already being felt.

Toronto needs to turn things around quickly, and trading away Phil Kessel is proof that they’re ready to strip down and rebuild from the bottom.

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