If there's another thing to draw out of Thursday, it's how silly stuff gets around this time every year. But whatever — Kesler. This is from TSN's Bob McKenzie:
Does that line up with this? Not completely, but again, semantics:
That leaves the door open for something alone the lines of, "I'm not asking for a trade, but if you were to trade me, here are a list of teams I'd accept."
This was Canucks general manager Mike Gillis on Wednesday night: "I won't comment on it under any circumstances and whether Ryan asked or didn't ask (for a trade), I'm not discussing this."
And really, whether Kesler asked, sort-of-asked or didn't ask for a trade is irrelevant. The Canucks are listening to offers, according to multiple reports. As an aging team with a probably shut Stanley Cup window, they should.
Kesler, 29, has two years left on his contract at a $5 million cap hit. He's an effective two-way player and power-play element with serious hip and shoulder injuries in his recent past, which makes him a better fit with a team closer to contention than the Canucks.
A young NHL roster player, prospect and/or high pick would be a reasonable framework for a trade. The Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets should be at the top of the list of interested teams — and that is indeed the case, according to multiple reports.
