Kessel traded to the Yotes

[Jim]

I believe that he wanted off this team and that he’s now being disingenuous about that fact, which implies that he is a victim, yes.

I don’t blame you for believing him. It’s just not likely true.

I don't care if he is lie or telling the truth. Neither way is playing the victim. I don't recall him ever playing the victim. If anything he usually stands for his decisions and is a "this is me, and I'm just going to keep being me" type... which is the opposite of liking to play the victim. Thats pointing at yourself.

[Jim]

I believe that he wanted off this team and that he’s now being disingenuous about that fact, which implies that he is a victim, yes.

I don’t blame you for believing him. It’s just not likely true.

Playing the victim, denying he did anything to make management trade him, it all comes down to the same bottom line. Another organization got fed up with his antics and now he's in the dessert with his buddy Tocchet. 81 played a big role in two cup teams, and for that all Pens fans should thank him. But guys like him, have a shelf life, and his just expired with the Pens. Time to move on.

I guess that we have different definitions of someone playing the victim. I think it is someone playing the victim. You think it is someone that you don't like and happy is gone.

We can agree to disagree.

[beachboy76]

here is the thing

1. I could careless if phil walked into Rutherford office and took a **** on his desk and demanded a trade multiple time
2. I could careless if Rutherford walked into the locker and took Phil's hot dog's away and said he is trading him and he'd never be a penguins again and made him cry

From a pure on the hockey perspective i think we made the trade 1 year to early (if you really believed kessel was going to be here the remaining years of his contract i have some magic beans to sell you). I don't care about all the other gossip and everything else going on.

That being said its not like, i like the overall idea of this trade. We have a year to see if Galchenyuk can do anything on the wing with Geno. Contract year hopefully is huge motivation for him. Worst case this time next year we have cap space we wouldn't have had.

1. couldn't care less
2. couldn't care less

Unless you are trying to say you do care. If so, my bad. (also care less and careless, there's a difference)

[mikey]

What a return haha...

[Gaucho]

[Jim]

From Kessel's Instagram:

"Pittsburgh, the fans, my teammates, and ownership. I just want to thank you for an incredible run. The last 4 years have been nothing short of amazing. Growing up as a kid my dream was to win The Stanley Cup. Well, we won 2, back to back! I’m gonna miss the fans, the city and my teammates. Thank you for all your support over the years. I will never forget it!"

[mikey]

[NAN]

We had a good 4 years with Kessel, but I think it was time to move on.

We'll see how this turns out.

[LeopardLetang]

But you readily believe known blowhard GMJR?

Its not the first time he has been traded, and it not because he lacks talent or is overpaid.

Yup. He's a good mercenary to add to a good group. But after a few years you don't want him rubbing off on younger guys or besties like malkin. It was blatant no effort play at times from him and you can take for a year or two if the team has success - because he can do that and then perform so high he makes up for it. But other players can't. And when you can't convince him to work harder it would be hard to convince his teammates. He's not good for long term culture. And I really like him, but it seems clear that he's tough for a coach and organization to live with.

[Blue Canary]

Man, I’m gonna miss him and Olli.

My head understands, while my heart mourns.

[Fire0nIce228]

Huge contributor on 2 Cup runs... Thanks Phil.

I'm hoping the Penguins can execute a retool on the fly again and make one or two more good runs at it..

[Factorial]

[MR25]

I'd buy one

[darkstar57]

here is the thing

1. I could careless if phil walked into Rutherford office and took a **** on his desk and demanded a trade multiple time
2. I could careless if Rutherford walked into the locker and took Phil's hot dog's away and said he is trading him and he'd never be a penguins again and made him cry

From a pure on the hockey perspective i think we made the trade 1 year to early (if you really believed kessel was going to be here the remaining years of his contract i have some magic beans to sell you). I don't care about all the other gossip and everything else going on.

That being said its not like, i like the overall idea of this trade. We have a year to see if Galchenyuk can do anything on the wing with Geno. Contract year hopefully is huge motivation for him. Worst case this time next year we have cap space we wouldn't have had.

1. couldn't care less
2. couldn't care less

Unless you are trying to say you do care. If so, my bad. (also care less and careless, there's a difference)

I don't care, typed on iphone

[Blue Canary]

We had a good 4 years with Kessel, but I think it was time to move on.

We'll see how this turns out.

Those 4 years flew by in a flash.

[Pavel Bure]

Really think he should have that Conn Smythe trophy. He was amazing that playoffs

[meow]

I'm not taking anything away from what he did that playoffs, but he was playing against bottom pair guys and really carving them up. It was not fair.

[Gaucho]

“I just do what I kind of do. I don’t necessarily change my game ever,” Kessel said. “I just go out there and play my game, and hopefully I can produce points and score goals and help the team win. That’s basically it."

@shmenguin

[shmenguin]

I wouldn’t really care about that attitude if he wasn’t the other team’s best player for a dozen games a year.

[Lemon Berry Lobster]

JMFJ has the other 70 rest assured...

[shmenguin]

I’m also baffled why sprong couldn’t improve his habits, with these kinds of role models. Baffled!

[Factorial]

I’m also baffled why sprong couldn’t improve his habits, with these kinds of role models. Baffled!

Did Sprong have a good year after being traded? Or did the Pens ruin him for good?

[mikey]

14 goals in 47 games with Anaheim.

[meow]

Was also healthy bombed for a dozen or so

[Lemon Berry Lobster]

For a 22 year old in his first full pro season isn't awful. His hairline how ever...