Phil Kessel Could Bring Maple Leafs Haul Of Prospects, Picks

Everyone in the hockey world knows that the Toronto Maple Leafs would be more than happy to deal away troubled forward Phil Kessel. The only question is what could they actually bring in return.

Speculation has been the Leafs could trade their fourth overall pick in a package. However, that remains unlikely and the Leafs will have to make a Kessel trade worth it.

Kessel has a no trade clause and he has accepted eight teams as a possibility; the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

A few of these requests make a lot of sense for Kessel. However, for the teams, many don’t make much sense at all. Both Boston and Chicago are up against the cap and would have no chance of taking on his salary. The Kings have faced similar issues.

There is also the question of what will the Leafs request. Chicago has plenty of young players, but being up against the cap, they wouldn’t part with them. Patrick Sharp has been connected to Toronto before, but that’s a lateral move, cap wise, for the Blackhawks.

Then there is the issue of draft picks. New York, Chicago, and Pittsburgh are without a first round draft selection for 2015. Would they be willing to part with another first rounder?

The teams with a lot to give the Leafs are no help, since Kessel won’t go to teams not on his eight club list. The Florida Panthers have several prospects they could afford to give, and the team is on the verge of contending. However, Kessel won’t go to Florida.

Teams like the Nashivlle Predators and Carolina Hurricanes are also in the market for top line talent.

The Leafs have been stacking prospects since the trade deadline when they added Brendan Leipsic. They have a chance to add even more youth and prospects to their system as they undergo their maiden voyage with head coach Mike Babcock. More likely than not, it will be without Phil Kessel.