As the NHL trade deadline looms on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, there have been a lot of rumblings involving movement of key players this week, and the latest buzz has the Pittsburgh Penguins interested in acquiring Ryan Kesler from the Vancouver Canucks.
Kesler denies reports that he wants out of Vancouver
It has been rumored that the Canucks have had some trouble in their locker room, and while Kesler has denied claims that he asked to be traded, Vancouver could still be looking to deal the center.
According to the Digital Journal, the Penguins have expressed interest in Kesler, 29, and could be looking to add him at the deadline if the Canucks do in fact decide to move him.
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Kesler has denied a report from TVA--which author Louis Jean has since stood by--that claimed he asked for a trade from the team.
"Completely false," the Canucks center told the Vancouver Sun following the team's practice on Thursday about the reports.
He then went on to say that he loved being in Vancouver.
"Yes, I am happy," he told the paper. "I love my teammates, love the city. My son was born here, grew up here. I am a Canuck and I'm happy to be here."
The Penguins (40-16-4, 84 points) sit on top of the Eastern Conference but could be looking to add Kesler as a way to provide more depth up front as the team searches for its first Stanley Cup since 2009.
The Pens have made the playoffs every year since that 2009 triumph, getting bounced in the quarterfinals twice and the conference semifinals once before losing out to the Bruins in the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
The Penguins could look to add Kesler as some insurance in order to get back to the Stanley Cup finals one more time.
Kesler has a deal that pays him $5 million annually over the next two seasons, but it remains to be seen if the Canucks will move him as they're trying to make a push for the playoffs.
The Canucks (28-25-10, 66 points) currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference and have lost two of their last three, including the Heritage Classic at BC Place on Sunday which they dropped to the Ottawa Senators 4-2.
While the Canucks are scratching and clawing their way to the eighth seed, it might be hard to see them trading Kesler. However, with goaltending controversies and an ineffective top line as of late, the reported locker room issues could lead to the Canucks shipping Kesler out.
Kesler, who was drafted 23rd overall by Vancouver in the 2003 NHL Draft, has 39 points in 62 games off of 21 goals and 18 assists this season for the Canucks.
The Penguins are the class of the East and the Canucks are looking to claw their way into playoff positioning in the West, and it seems like their paths could cross via a trade before Wednesday's deadline.
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