Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

More Kesler discussion: regarding Penguins interest and his 'list of preferred destinations'

03/01/2014 at 11:55pm EST

I would prefer to leave things be, especially given that Paul already noted the Vancouver Province's Ed Willes' take on the subject...

But there are times that internet chatter drives you to post an article, and in this case, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Rossi's confirmation that the Penguins are hot on Ryan Kesler's trail merits mentioning...

Vancouver center Ryan Kesler is being pursued aggressively by Penguins general manager Ray Shero, multiple sources told the Tribune-Review on Saturday.

A proposed deal would send Kesler to the Penguins in exchange for center Brandon Sutter, two 2014 draft picks — likely a first- and third-round — and the Canucks' choice of defensemen Simon Despres or Brian Dumoulin, the sources said.

It is possible the deal could involve another Canucks and Penguins player, but Shero was looking only to acquire Kesler, the sources said.

And while I can't quote all of Rossi's article, noting of Olympic ties between Kesler, U.S. Olympic team coach Dan Bylsma and consultant/Pens GM Ray Shero included, you may take this for what you will...

Kesler has a no-trade clause, but the Penguins are atop his list of preferred destinations because he wants to play for a Cup contender and grew to respect Bylsma, assistant coach Tony Granato and Shero during the Olympics, the sources said.

Kesler, who has publicly denied his reported request for a trade, wants next to play for a U.S.-based team in the Easter time zone — though he is intrigued by possibly joining Chicago, which has emerged as the Penguins' challenger for his services, the sources said.

Aside from the Penguins and Blackhawks, Kesler also would accept trades to Philadelphia and Detroit, the sources said.

Because TSN's Bob McKenzie helped set the compensation record straight:

I live in Southeastern Michigan, so I've been hearing the, "Kesler obviously wants to come to Detroit!" chatter for a bit now, and if I were to try to give "comparables" given that the Wings don't have a "significant/established" NHL center between 20 and 25, I'd say...

The price would involve something like Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar and Anthony Mantha and a first-round pick. Which is nuts, at least for Detroit.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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