Kyle Dubas should take a low AAV gamble on a former Leafs winger
We are three weeks into NHL free agency and we've seen some big names come off the board while some reasonably big names are still available. Two players come to mind (and I'm actually quite surprised they haven't signed yet) are P.K Subban and Phil Kessel. The former appears to be holding out for a specific type of opportunity, while the latter may be a little more flexible.
I think a Kessel return to the Maple Leafs would be a great story. I know Phil won't sign in Toronto, due to his tenuous relationship with the media here, but let's have some fun with this. I think a reunion with Kessel and Toronto could help out both sides. No, Phil isn't the same player he once was, as he turns 35 in October, but he still has speed and that excellent shot. Frankly, if you're looking for depth scoring, that's something Kessel can still provide, albeit in a sheltered role.
This season, Kessel put up 52 points in 82 games with the Arizona Coyotes, who were basically comprised of all of the worst contracts in the league and some inexperienced young guys.
I'd imagine that Dubas could bring Phil in for relatively cheap and the best part about it would be that Kessel wouldn't be under nearly as bright of a spotlight since that's being taken on by John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander.
With Kessel, you can slide him up and down in the lineup, and who knows, he could experience a nice career resurgence before he decides to hang up the skates. He would look good on the second line for some offensive zone starts with Tavares and Nylander. We know he is an excellent finisher and possesses some underrated playmaking abilities. It would sure make things interesting. Obviously, at 35 years old, Kessel is no longer a 2nd liner, but if the Leafs can insulate him by playing him with a strong defensive player like David Kampf on the third line, Kessel could be that offensive spark in the bottom six and can take the odd shift in the top six in a purely offensive role. He could also be a strong addition to the 2nd PP unit.
Phil spent six years in the blue and white from 2009-2015. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the summer of 2015, with whom he won two Stanley Cups. He still has some hockey left in him and if Dubas could convince Kessel to come back on a one-year deal, there is some potential for success there. Plus, Phil was a beast for the Pens in the playoffs. Just some food for thought.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 4 | 641 ANSWERS Kyle Dubas should take a low AAV gamble on a former Leafs winger Would you welcome back Phil Kessel to Toronto on a one year deal? | ||
| Definitely | 412 | 64.3 % |
| Not a chance | 170 | 26.5 % |
| Not as an 82-game player, but maybe as a 13th F | 59 | 9.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
