Team insider reveals why Kessel refuses to come to Minnesota!

It was reported across the league last week: Phil Kessel vetoed a trade to Minnesota that saw the Pittsburgh Penguins land Wild forward Jason Zucker in the move. 

Kessel, who has a no-trade clause which includes a list of eight teams he will accept to be shipped to, made it clear that he is now willing at this time to get moved to Minnesota, which got some people scratching their heads seeing that Kessel has clearly worn out his welcome in the Penguins organization. 

However on Monday, Wild team insider Michael Russo of The Athletic finally revealed why Kessel does not want to come to Minnesota. And the team is not expected to enjoy his analysis…

Fans expected Kessel to be thrilled about moving close to his native Wisconsin and where he went to college at the University of Minnesota… but it can’t compete with what he had to said about the Wild’s roster… 

“Kessel just doesn’t like the makeup of the Wild’s roster, sources say, and doesn’t think they’re close to contending in a cutthroat Central Division in which they finished last. Fenton tried to convince him otherwise, but sources say Kessel wondered who would get him the puck and wasn’t swayed by the touted young talent — presumably Fiala, Donato, Luke Kunin, Jordan Greenway, etc.”

It has been mentioned that Kessel could change his mind about moving to Minnesota as the summer goes on, however, you have to wonder if the Wild would even be interested in revisiting a trade involving a guy who has no desire to go there in the first place and took a shot at their roster…