Rumor: Major piece of a blockbuster trade for Pens revealed!

Blow it up? Or stay the course? This is crazy!

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Rumor: Major piece of a blockbuster trade for Pens revealed!
Keystone Press

You often hear hockey experts refer to some players as being in the doghouse. You know the ones who sit on the bench a little more than before.

According to TSN’s Travis Yost and his interesting analysis,  there might be a smoking gun when a coaching staff loses faith in a player,  who ends up with less minutes on special teams and 5-on-5. 

"Super-talented, highly productive players simply don’t see their ice time slip. That’s exactly why changes in deployment can be indicative of a guy losing his spot on the depth chart – especially if that change is dramatic," Jost writes

He explains more of his findings with a diagram, depicting regular players who have seen their 5-on-5 ice-time drop in four consecutive years, as well as the average ice time expectations for a first-line forward and a third-line forward for sense of direction.


Though Yost points out several changes in the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins, he focused on Pens forward Phil Kessel

"Kessel went from one of the league’s most-utilized players to a guy who is seeing middle-six ice these days. Kessel’s name has been curiously popping up in trade talks these days..."

It has been speculated that Kessel could be moved by Pittsburgh, especially if you look at his contract. Kessel counts as a $6.8 million hit against the Penguins’ salary cap through the 2021-22 season, when he will be 35. He also has a limited no-trade clause in his contract.

Many suggested that with Rick Tocchet's departure to Arizona this summer, the relationship between coach Mike Sullivan and Kessel would deteriorate...

However, Kessel’s impressive start might prevent GM Jim Rutherford from moving him… or will allow a great return for the Pens. 

To be continued…

Source: TSN