When Sportsnet.ca hockey insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned that the Nashville Predators were one of the teams interested in Phil Kessel, it came as a surprise. After all, other teams such as the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, and Minnesota Wild seemed like the frontrunners.
Phil Kessel Will be a Free Agent
The Arizona Coyotes tried their best to oblige Phil Kessel’s trade request. Yet in the end, not retaining part of his $6.8 million cap hit had discouraged any team from trading for him. The Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong used the last remaining salary retention when he traded Johan Larsson to the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline of March 21st.
See, Kessel wants a shot at one more championship ring. And he as well every NHL fan on the planet, knew it wasn’t going to happen in Arizona. Kessel’s production has decreased significantly to the point that he wasn’t easy to move especially due to his large contract. Now that he didn’t get traded, he will be free to sign with any team that isn’t on his no-trade list.
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
Nashville’s Interest in Kessel
While Kessel’s goal production only shows seven red lights turned on this season, he still has tallied 43 points in 70 games. That would place him sixth on the Predators’ squad in scoring. And, don’t forget the guy just DOESN’T miss games. He has now surpassed Keith Yandle in his hunt to be the ironman of the NHL.
Perhaps most teams would love to have the stats Kessel exhibited last season when he netted 20 goals in 56 games due to the pandemic shortened season. For whatever reason, (call it playing on a really mediocre team) his goals just haven’t come this season. That of course does not mean he can’t still put up the numbers he has in the past… with the right linemates.
Around Full Press Hockey
NHL: Senators Honour Eugene Melnyk With a Few Great Performances
NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers
NHL: The Possibility of Patrick Kane Leaving The Chicago Blackhawks
NFL: FPC 2022 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Getting Defensive Rather Early
Wrestling: Cody Rhodes Returns To WWE At Wrestlemania
PODCAST: Full Press NHL Podcast Ep 25: Eugene Melnyk Passes Away; NHL Salary Cap Rises
How Phil Kessel May Fit in With Nashville
The Predators lack scoring from the right-wing and have an abundance of centers on their roster. Phil could supplement some offensive firepower to help with that. If he will accept a lower salary (think WAY lower), he could sign with the Preds. See, the Nashville team will need to determine how to pay Filip Forsberg a king’s ransom. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer too. The bidding to sign Forsberg may begin at the $8 million mark.
If Kessel wants to join the Preds, he will need to lower his salary expectations considerably. If he came down to the $2-$3 million range, he may get a one or two-year deal done. He definitely could help the Predators who rank ninth in scoring at this writing. If Kessel could regain his power-play prowess, he also could add to their excellent 25 percent success on the man advantage.
Is Kessel a defensive liability? Of course. But he is skilled at puck possession and especially at carrying the puck into the offensive end. He has shown this season that he can be a playmaker too with 36 assists.
Final Analysis
Kessel can still sign with any team he chooses, so it will be intriguing to see where he finally lands. He is a guy that his teammates love playing with and is a professional who shows up every game ready to go to battle. Some team will recognize his abilities and sign him.
Could it be Nashville?
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Hawks at Nuggetsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Mavericks at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Rockets at Thunderby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 8:15 pm
-
Heat at Bucksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Trail Blazers at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Clippers at Knicksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Suns at Pistonsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 5:15 pm
-
Wizards at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Lakers at Pelicansby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 3:45 pm
-
Ep 150: Owen Hart Part One - Young Gunby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm