Penguins just lost all leverage in Kessel trade…

The chatter keeps going and getting louder, however, Phil Kessel himself has found a way to shut everyone up… 

By now you have probably all heard the rumors regarding the possibility of Kessel being traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Just last week, it was revealed that Kessel vetoed a trade to Minnesota that saw the Pens land Wild forward Jason Zucker in the move. 

However, this makes Penguins insider Dan Kingerski believe that GM Jim Rutherford has now lost all leverage in a Kessel trade…

“Kessel has indeed nixed a trade to the tropical paradise of Minnesota, according to a report from the Athletic. As a result, the Penguins cards have been shown to the table. Opponents know the expected return and now the Penguins weakened position.

“Any advantage the Penguins had in negotiations is gone.”

This has to make Rutherford wonder why in the hell did Maple Leafs and then GM Brian Burke offered Kessel a modified no movement and modified no-trade clause in the  eight-year, $64 million contract he signed with Toronto, before he was traded to Pittsburgh. 

It has been reported that Kessel nixed the deal because he does not believe the Wild to be a contender, and if that’s what it takes for Phil to agree to a destination, the Penguins are even more in trouble…

"There simply aren’t many successful teams which want to take on a 31-year old winger who is now on the outs with his current club and is generally regarded as difficult to coach,” writes Kingerski. 

So many obstacles now… and the main one being the player himself.