The Toronto Maple Leafs are open to trading Phil Kessel after another tough season as they look to revamp their club and a few teams could already be interested in acquiring the forward.
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The Maple Leafs went 30-44-8 in the 2014-15 campaign and finished seventh in the Atlantic Division while missing the playoffs for the second straight season. The club was 30 points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Assistant general manager Kyle Dubas said last week at the NHL scouting combine that "chatter started to pick up" over potential trades for the Maple Leafs, but he didn't specifically mention Kessel.
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Kessel has seven years remaining on an eight-year $64 million that pays him $8 million annually. The 27-year-old had 25 goals and 35 assists for 61 points last season.
Here are three possible destinations for the forward:
Nashville Predators
According to Elliotte Friedman of Maple Leafs Hot Stove, the Predators are a possible landing spot for Kessel due to the fact that they've shown interest in him in the past and were in the sweepstakes for him when the Maple Leafs originally acquired him.
A deal for Kessel would hinge on whether or not Nashville is still interested in him and it could be tough for the Predators to take on the contract as they will have to lock up Seth Jones and Filip Forsberg in the next couple of years.
Still, the Predators had a great season in 2014-15 and could expand upon their first-round exit at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks if they signed a proven goal-scorer like Kessel.
Anaheim Ducks
According to The Hockey Writers, the Ducks are a potential suitor for Kessel as they appear to be a small tweak away from getting to the next level after dropping yet another Game 7 at home this postseason.
Anaheim was one win away from the Stanley Cup Final until it lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the do-or-die game at the Honda Center in the Western Conference Final.
The Ducks have plenty of cap room and the type of assets to trade for him while they also have a need for some more speed and ability. Putting Kessel with Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler would make the Ducks an instant favorite to hoist the Cup.
Washington Capitals
After coming within one game of the Eastern Conference Final this year in the first season under Barry Trotz, the Capitals are looking to take the next step and are also seeking a winger to complement Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on the top line, making Kessel a great fit for them.
According to CSN's Chuck Gormley Caps GM Brian MacLellan believes that Kessel would be a good addition for the club and they have interest in acquiring him. With the offseason running thin on top-notch free agent wingers, Washington could trade one of their young players to bring in Kessel.
It'll be an interesting offseason for the Maple Leafs as many changes are bound to come and Kessel may be dealt.
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