Edmonton Oilers: Would A Trade for Phil Kessel Make Sense?

There has been chatter from the Edmonton Oilers fanbase the past few days on the rumor of Phil Kessel possibly joining the team via trade. We’ll be tackling that issue head-on.

Should the Edmonton Oilers go after Phil Kessel? It was questioned that was posted by fans last week on Reddit since rumors were floating around that Kessel could be available as a trade chip.

It’s somewhat insane to suggest someone as skilled as him would be traded away from a two-time Stanley Cup championship team. But that’s what happens when you get bounced off in the second round by the Washington Capitals.

But the main issue a lot of fans have with if the Edmonton Oilers would try to pursue a trade with Pittsburgh is the cap hit. Reddit user Tylemaker makes an excellent point on that specific issue:

"Can’t afford it at $6.8MM, unless we moved out the cap, and the only cap we can move out is Nugent-Hopkins or Klefbom. So, in that case, it’s a hard no from me."

Reddit user Crusher refutes that point.

"But 6.8 million cap hit is a bargain for a 90 point forward compared to Evander Kane who was twice a 50 point scorer. A 7 million cap hit and the market inflation for upcoming free wingers because of it."

The heart of the argument

Both of these fans do make a point on the pros and cons of what the Oilers have financially and if this pick up would make sense for them. But here is the central question that needs to be asked, is he a great fit for this team?

Kessel is a top 6 forward who can easily play alongside Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent Hopkins. Would he want to play with them or with the Edmonton Oilers? Some fans are skeptical of that and Reddit user Starship Coyote addressed that issue:

"Phil Kessel has to list eight teams that he’ll accept a trade to, and I highly doubt the Oilers are on that list. If they do want to trade him, I bet Kessel will list one or two teams he wants to go to and then teams he knows aren’t interested/can’t afford him to force a trade to his team of choice as he did to the Leafs.For the Oilers, I don’t think it makes sense to give up premium assets for an expensive winger. If you’re so ending that kind of money, you may as well do it in free agency. The other issue with Kessel is he’s a shooter who needs to carry the puck, so I don’t see him being a fit with McDavid or Draisaitl."

Inconsistency

Another fallback of Phil Kessel is that he’s always been inconsistent throughout his career, it’s been hard for teams to rely on him when they needed him most. He did have breakout performances with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but there is a reason why they might cut him loose. Another Reddit user navanager points out this specific issue that has been a detriment to Phil Kessel’s career:

"As good as he is when he’s on, Kessel goes cold at the worst possible moments. The playoffs this year were a perfect example, I think he scored maybe twice? After having a career season, that reminds me a lot of Eberle.The other thing about him that rubs me the wrong way is in an interview this past season when asked how he felt being in the running for the Art Ross (when he still was), his response was “I’ve got two cups, man.” I get where he’s coming from, but that attitude implies a player that thinks he has already achieved everything he wanted to and doesn’t care about hitting other milestones.I’m sure he’d love to win a third cup with the Oilers, but he’s not a guy I feel would play with everything he’s got to get us there, which is the kind of player we need for his asking price."

There is a solid possibility that the Edmonton Oilers won’t even bother with going after Phil Kessel. But if they entertain that idea, they’ll need to know that their fanbase would be skeptical of the move.