Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford and Phil Kessel are telling two different stories regarding the forward's alleged trade demands leading up to his departure from the team.
Kessel was traded to the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday, and Rutherford claims the three-time All-Star asked to be moved on several occasions, according to The Athletic's Sean Gentille.
When asked about Rutherford's comments, Kessel offered a different account.
"I'm not sure that's exactly what happened. Jim came to me one time and said... I'll never be a Penguin again,'" Kessel said, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Jonathan Bombulie. "I think he's mistaken a little bit there. But I don't want to get involved in that. I'm not here to tell what really happened and the real truth, but whatever Jim wants to say."
Kessel had been featured in trade rumors multiple times throughout his tenure in Pittsburgh, but it's unclear if the winger ever requested to be dealt.
The Wisconsin native had an eight-team trade list and reportedly nixed a deal to the Minnesota Wild last month.
Kessel never missed a game with the Penguins, contributing 303 points in 323 games.
Pittsburgh isn't retaining salary in the deal, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie. There are three years remaining on Kessel's current contract with an annual cap hit of $6.8 million.
Kessel joined the Penguins ahead of the 2015-16 season, and he was a key contributor to the club's back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017.
Galchenyuk was traded from the Montreal Canadiens to the Coyotes last summer. He recorded 19 goals and 41 points this past season.
The Coyotes selected Joseph with the 23rd overall pick in 2017.
The 27-year-old is due for a $3-million bonus paid out on July 1, so it's unlikely the Leafs will be able to move him before then.
There are five years remaining on Zaitsev's seven-year, $31.5-million contract signed with the Maple Leafs ahead of the 2017-18 season. The Russian rearguard requested a trade in May.
The Leafs hold a projected $5.54 million in cap space with restricted free agent Mitch Marner still needing a new deal. However, the team can place Nathan Horton and his $5.3 million cap hit on long-term injured reserve to free up space.
Zaitsev posted three goals and 14 points over 81 games for the Leafs this past season.
Marincin, 27, suited up in 24 games for the Maple Leafs last season, registering one goal and four assists.
Hutchinson, acquired from the Florida Panthers in December, made only five appearances for the Leafs in 2018-19. The 29-year-old spent most of the season with the Toronto Marlies, posting a .910 save percentage in 23 AHL games.
McElhinney, 36, is coming off a strong season with the Hurricanes during which he posted a .912 save percentage in 33 appearances after being claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs in October.
The second member of Carolina's goalie tandem, Petr Mrazek, is also a UFA, and Waddell added the club is working to re-sign him.
A whole lot of money is about to be shelled out in NHL circles come July 1, and general managers will be hoping the lavish investments are justifiable in helping their respective teams improve.
Sadly, though, that isn't always the case. Each and every year there's unforeseen bargains and blatant overpayments. If GMs want to avoid the latter, they should have their guards up when it comes to these five unrestricted free agents.
Tyler Myers
2018-19 cap hit: $5.5 million 2018-19 stats: 80 GP, 9 G, 22 A, 20:21 ATOI
Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / Getty
With Erik Karlsson off the board, Myers is among the biggest names available on this year's blue-line market. At 6-foot-8 and equipped with a right-handed shot, Myers has desirable raw tools, but there are too many red flags to justify awarding him a big-ticket contract.
Myers will turn 30 in February and has gradually seen his ice time decrease in each of the past four seasons in Winnipeg. Sheltered in a third-pairing role this past season, he put up a negative Corsi differential relative to his teammates despite starting 56.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone.
Rumors indicate Myers could be seeking a contract close to $8 million annually. Such a deal is far too rich for a player seemingly already on the decline - especially if there's a lengthy term attached.
Matt Duchene
2018-19 cap hit: $6 million 2018-19 stats: 73 GP, 31 G, 39 A, 18:50 ATOI
Kirk Irwin / Getty Images Sport / Getty
First and foremost, this isn't a knock on Duchene, who rightfully qualifies as one of this summer's premier free agents. It's a condemnation of the current market value for NHL centermen, which was flipped upside down when Kevin Hayes recently inked a seven-year contract worth $50 million.
If Hayes can fetch $7.142 million annually for a 55-point output, where does that leave Duchene, who just racked up 70 points in 73 games and added 10 more in 10 playoff contests? Using that comparison alone, Duchene could easily command something in the range of $9.5 million to $10.5 million.
Any contract paying Duchene $8.5 million or more per year would slot him among the NHL's top 10 highest-paid centers even though his career production ranks him a tier below. It's not a question of whether Duchene deserves to pick from his share of suitors on the open market; it's whether he can live up to a max-term contract that pays him like he's one of the league's best pivots.
Anders Lee
2018-19 cap hit: $3.75 million 2018-19 stats: 82 GP, 28 G, 23 A, 17:05 ATOI
Mike Stobe / National Hockey League / Getty
After John Tavares left Long Island, Lee saw his goal total plummet from 40 to 28, which isn't a terrific bargaining chip for the Islanders captain. That said, his underlying numbers improved under head coach Barry Trotz and he still led the team in goals, so he's not completely out of ammunition.
Lee's provided tremendous value for New York by counting for just $3.75 million against the cap over the past four seasons. He can reasonably ask for a significant raise, but term is where things could get risky for teams looking to add the soon-to-be 29-year-old.
Lee has a valuable skill set as a strong finisher and producer of high-danger scoring chances. But he isn't a particularly efficient skater or playmaker - which is cause for significant concern as he approaches his 30s. He'll likely score 20-30 goals for a few years to come, but a long commitment could backfire as he ages.
Micheal Ferland
2018-19 cap hit: $1.75 million 2018-19 stats: 71 GP, 17 G, 23 A, 14:06 ATOI
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Offering a rare blend of physicality and scoring touch, Ferland was in high demand around the trade deadline before the Hurricanes opted to keep him and go on a run of their own.
The teams interested in adding him in February will surely have him on their radars again this summer, but there are a few reasons for caution when it comes to committing to Ferland. First and foremost, his health has been an issue, and he spoke in December about his own concerns after suffering his second concussion.
It's also hard to gauge Ferland's true value on the ice. He's spent most of his career in a crash-and-bang, puck-retrieving role alongside some superstars on the top lines in both Calgary and Carolina, which could inflate his worth to teams poring over his stats.
Has Ferland been carried by his linemates, or is he a legitimate top-six forward? Whoever decides to pay him will find out sooner or later.
Joe Pavelski
2018-19 cap hit: $6 million 2018-19 stats: 75 GP, 38 G, 26 A, 19:03 ATOI
Brandon Magnus / National Hockey League / Getty
Much like the Duchene scenario above, this isn't an indictment on Pavelski as a player. The longtime Shark ranks fifth in the NHL since 2011-12 with 252 goals and has earned the right to explore his options after 13 seasons in San Jose.
The problem for teams interested in Pavelski's services is that they may not be getting the player he was through his prime. Pavelski turns 35 on July 11. He's coming off a monster season in which he matched a career-high with 38 tallies, but did so with an astronomical 20.2 shooting percentage. He's a master of scoring on deflections and in close to the net, but his situation with the Sharks was perfect given San Jose's bevy of dynamic playmakers on the power play and the inimitable Brent Burns feeding him perfect point shots to tip on goal.
Term will be a major factor in whether Pavelski agrees to a reasonable contract, but even a three-year pact would take the Wisconsin native through his age-37 season, a dicey prospect for a player who has never been particularly fleet of foot.
A whole lot of money is about to be shelled out in NHL circles come July 1, and general managers will be hoping the lavish investments are justifiable in helping their respective teams improve.
Sadly, though, that isn't always the case. Each and every year there's unforeseen bargains and blatant overpayments. If GMs want to avoid the latter, they should have their guards up when it comes to these five unrestricted free agents.
Tyler Myers
2018-19 cap hit: $5.5 million 2018-19 stats: 80 GP, 9 G, 22 A, 20:21 ATOI
Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / Getty
With Erik Karlsson off the board, Myers is among the biggest names available on this year's blue-line market. At 6-foot-8 and equipped with a right-handed shot, Myers has desirable raw tools, but there are too many red flags to justify awarding him a big-ticket contract.
Myers will turn 30 in February and has gradually seen his ice time decrease in each of the past four seasons in Winnipeg. Sheltered in a third-pairing role this past season, he put up a negative Corsi differential relative to his teammates despite starting 56.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone.
Rumors indicate Myers could be seeking a contract close to $8 million annually. Such a deal is far too rich for a player seemingly already on the decline - especially if there's a lengthy term attached.
Matt Duchene
2018-19 cap hit: $6 million 2018-19 stats: 73 GP, 31 G, 39 A, 18:50 ATOI
Kirk Irwin / Getty Images Sport / Getty
First and foremost, this isn't a knock on Duchene, who rightfully qualifies as one of this summer's premier free agents. It's a condemnation of the current market value for NHL centermen, which was flipped upside down when Kevin Hayes recently inked a seven-year contract worth $50 million.
If Hayes can fetch $7.142 million annually for a 55-point output, where does that leave Duchene, who just racked up 70 points in 73 games and added 10 more in 10 playoff contests? Using that comparison alone, Duchene could easily command something in the range of $9.5 million to $10.5 million.
Any contract paying Duchene $8.5 million or more per year would slot him among the NHL's top 10 highest-paid centers even though his career production ranks him a tier below. It's not a question of whether Duchene deserves to pick from his share of suitors on the open market; it's whether he can live up to a max-term contract that pays him like he's one of the league's best pivots.
Anders Lee
2018-19 cap hit: $3.75 million 2018-19 stats: 82 GP, 28 G, 23 A, 17:05 ATOI
Mike Stobe / National Hockey League / Getty
After John Tavares left Long Island, Lee saw his goal total plummet from 40 to 28, which isn't a terrific bargaining chip for the Islanders captain. That said, his underlying numbers improved under head coach Barry Trotz and he still led the team in goals, so he's not completely out of ammunition.
Lee's provided tremendous value for New York by counting for just $3.75 million against the cap over the past four seasons. He can reasonably ask for a significant raise, but term is where things could get risky for teams looking to add the soon-to-be 29-year-old.
Lee has a valuable skill set as a strong finisher and producer of high-danger scoring chances. But he isn't a particularly efficient skater or playmaker - which is cause for significant concern as he approaches his 30s. He'll likely score 20-30 goals for a few years to come, but a long commitment could backfire as he ages.
Micheal Ferland
2018-19 cap hit: $1.75 million 2018-19 stats: 71 GP, 17 G, 23 A, 14:06 ATOI
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Offering a rare blend of physicality and scoring touch, Ferland was in high demand around the trade deadline before the Hurricanes opted to keep him and go on a run of their own.
The teams interested in adding him in February will surely have him on their radars again this summer, but there are a few reasons for caution when it comes to committing to Ferland. First and foremost, his health has been an issue, and he spoke in December about his own concerns after suffering his second concussion.
It's also hard to gauge Ferland's true value on the ice. He's spent most of his career in a crash-and-bang, puck-retrieving role alongside some superstars on the top lines in both Calgary and Carolina, which could inflate his worth to teams poring over his stats.
Has Ferland been carried by his linemates, or is he a legitimate top-six forward? Whoever decides to pay him will find out sooner or later.
Joe Pavelski
2018-19 cap hit: $6 million 2018-19 stats: 75 GP, 38 G, 26 A, 19:03 ATOI
Brandon Magnus / National Hockey League / Getty
Much like the Duchene scenario above, this isn't an indictment on Pavelski as a player. The longtime Shark ranks fifth in the NHL since 2011-12 with 252 goals and has earned the right to explore his options after 13 seasons in San Jose.
The problem for teams interested in Pavelski's services is that they may not be getting the player he was through his prime. Pavelski turns 35 on July 11. He's coming off a monster season in which he matched a career-high with 38 tallies, but did so with an astronomical 20.2 shooting percentage. He's a master of scoring on deflections and in close to the net, but his situation with the Sharks was perfect given San Jose's bevy of dynamic playmakers on the power play and the inimitable Brent Burns feeding him perfect point shots to tip on goal.
Term will be a major factor in whether Pavelski agrees to a reasonable contract, but even a three-year pact would take the Wisconsin native through his age-37 season, a dicey prospect for a player who has never been particularly fleet of foot.
