Kessel refuses to waive NTC to get traded in blockbuster move!

Phil Kessel’s ears have been ringing for the past month, ever since the Pittsburgh Penguins were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the New York Islanders. 

Pens general manager Jim Rutherford has been looking for a trade partner to land Kessel and earlier today NHL insider Elliotte Friedman dropped the bomb that Pittsburgh and Minnesota were woking on a blockbuster move to trade Kessel for Jason Zucker. 

Having said that, Kessel earns nearly double what Zucker does agains the salary cap. For his $8 million annual salary, Kessel managed 27 goals and 82 points in 82 games this past season. Zucker managed 21 goals and 42 points in 81 games for $5.5 million. 

But there is another obstacle here: Kessel has the power with his no-trade clause and TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that for now, the veteran forward refuses to move it to head to Minnesota. 

However, LeBrun notes that Kessel could eventually be swayed to agree to waive his NTC to be traded to the Wild, but for now, Rutherford will need to focus and keep talking with the teams on his yes list. LeBrun believes there are a few clubs on there that have contacted Pittsburgh so we'll see where that goes...

LeBrun made clear to say that it is no longer a matter of IF Kessel gets traded but a matter of WHEN he is out of Pittsburgh… 

Stay tuned!