3/18/22 | Emily Kaplan wrote at ESPN.com that the Rangers are “among” the teams that have “done some research” on Kessel.
Frank Seravalli also listed the Rangers as a team with interest in Kessel. (Daily Faceoff)
3/17/22 | 3:43PM: Emily Kaplan said on ESPN that the Rangers are “amongst the teams that have been kicking tires” on Phil Kessel.
Kaplan added that she thinks Kessel and the Rangers “would be really fun.”
She says that Arizona has been asking for a third round pick in exchange for Kessel and that he has been available “all season.”
On Tuesday, Joe Micheletti was speaking about Kessel and said that he expected Kessel to be traded to the East.
Kessel’s sister, and US Olympian, Amanda has been involved with the Rangers in the past as an Ambassador.
He is a UFA at the end of the season.
Kessel, 34, has 6 goals and 31 assists for Arizona this season.
Adam Rotter: Kessel fits and doesn’t fit. He’s an offensive player and has a ton of playoff and Stanley Cup winning experience. That experience, and Kessel reportedly being someone that his teammates love, would help the Rangers, and you can see a situation where getting to play with Artemi Panarin or Mika Zibanejad could bring out his best.
Where he doesn’t fit is that he’s a one dimensional player and the Rangers don’t need him for their PP. He’s not known for defense, isn’t going to grind or make much of an impact without the puck.
It is a little odd that a third round pick hasn’t been low enough for someone to pull the trigger, but Kessel has a high cap hit and teams may want Arizona to retain salary. Still, for a mid-round pick, Kessel does seem to make sense for the Rangers.