2. Phil “The Thrill” Kessel
What a story it would be for the former Boston Bruins draftee to return to where it all began.
He may be out of the spotlight in the desert but Phil Kessel is still putting up solid numbers at age 33.
After years in the spotlight and two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Phil Kessel is quietly playing his game with the Arizona Coyotes. If he wants to play for a competitive team anytime soon though, he could come back to where it all began.
Kessel is still a top-six forward in the NHL even if he doesn’t always take on that role for the Coyotes. Arizona is still part of the playoff hunt in the West division, but their best-case scenario would be that #4 slot, and good luck beating any of those three teams that currently reside in the slots above.
The Coyotes could continue to work in their youth and look to get rid of some of their older talent in order to gain assets. Kessel would be at the front of that list.
The Boston Bruins would probably have to do some cap gymnastics in order to get Kessel, but could try sweetening the pot in order to get the Coyotes to retain salary or send back some salary in Arizona’s direction.
“The Thrill” would be able to immediately slide in as the impact second-line winger the Bruins have been searching for.