Mike Sullivan had a deal with Rick Tocchet when the two were together with the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Tocchet, the assistant coach, dealt with Phil Kessel. That way Sullivan, who didn’t want to talk to him, didn’t have to....

It’s not that he doesn’t care for Kessel. It’s that he truly doesn’t want to deal with him in any significant way. Tocchet was perfect for that role and for Kessel. The Hall of Famer, Mark Recchi, is assuming the role Tocchet had in Pittsburgh. He may be handed the Kessel portfolio. Sullivan needs someone to do what he doesn’t want to do himself.

-Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun where you can read more on Kessel and a few hockey notes too.