There have been a lot of trade rumors surrounding Toronto Maple Leafs veteran winger Phil Kessel and captain Dion Phaneuf, but hockey analyst Don Cherry doesn't believe the duo is going anywhere.
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Since before the Stanley Cup playoffs even ended, there has been a lot of speculation and talk that one or both of Kessel and Phaneuf will be moved before the puck drops on the 2015-16 NHL season on Oct. 7.
Cherry, a former NHL coach and player, doesn't believe the chatter.
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"They're not getting traded," Cherry told Sportsnet 590 The Fan on Tuesday, according to SportsNet.ca. "First of all, you wouldn't get fair value for them right now. [Kessel] is a 30-goal scorer. He can put the puck in the net. And Dion, I remember when he was with Calgary, he was a Norris Trophy [finalist]."
Phaneuf was reportedly almost shipped out of Toronto at the deadline, but a deal that was on the table fell through while Kessel has generated interest from a lot of teams this offseason, including the Pittsburgh Penguins at this past weekend's NHL Draft.
For Kessel, Toronto is willing to pay $2 million of his $8 million annual salary, while a $4 million bonus is set to kick-in on Wednesday, which is the start of NHL free agency.
With the lack of depth in free agency and trade availability, the Maple Leafs do have some momentum on their side in negotiations.
Kessel is reportedly only willing to move his no-trade clause to play for eight clubs.
The list includes the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and the Penguins.
Kessel, 27, had 25 goals and 35 assists for 61 points this past season, which was a nightmarish campaign for Toronto and saw it miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Kessel is under contract for the next seven seasons.
Phaneuf, 30, struggled a bit in 2014-15, rating a minus-11 while going 3-26--29 in 70 games.
The Maple Leafs are expected to undergo a major offseason overhaul after acquiring Mike Babcock as their new head coach on an eight-year $50 million pact.
Cherry doesn't believe those changes will involve moving Kessel or Phaneuf.
"[Babcock] has a knack for turning guys around and straightening them out," Cherry said. "[Kessel] will report in shape this year, not 10 pounds over and laughing that he only skated 10 times in the summer. Give [Babcock] a chance with those guys, and if he can't do anything with them, then you're going to have to get rid of them. But they won't be traded."
By the time the Maple Leafs take the ice against the rival Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 7 at the Air Canada Centre, the futures of Kessel and Phaneuf in the organization will be known.
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