The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded forward Phil Kessel, Dane Birks, and a 2020 4th round pick to the Arizona Coyotes for forward Alex Galchenyuk and defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph.
The 31-year old Kessel was drafted 5th overall in the 1st round pick of the 2006 draft. He carries a $6.8 million cap hit for another three years.
The 25-year old Birks was drafted 164th overall in the 6th round of the 2013 draft. He carries a $755,000 cap hit.
The 25-year old Galchenyuk was drafted 3rd overall in the 1st round of the 2012 draft. He carries a $4.9 million salary cap hit with one year left on the deal.
The 19-year old Joseph was drafted 23 overall in the 1st round of the 2017 draft.
Thoughts from the media
Shelly Anderson: “The Kessel deal will no doubt be the Penguins’ signature move of the offseason, based on his production, his polarizing character and the options it opens for the club.
Scott Wheeler: “I like Pierre-Olivier Joseph. He’s got a chance to be a second pairing guy. But his offensive tools have plateaued a little. Didn’t love his year this year. Mature defender though, even if he lacks a dynamic quality.”
Dan Kingerski: “Pierre Oliver Joseph is FAST. Active. Still inconsistent. Pretty good get. I’m not so wild about Galchenyuk. Prime candidate to flip, actually.”
Dan Kingerski: “The Penguins are short a winger or two. It they’re still better off without the drama of Kessel. Maybe they keep Galchenyuk. Maybe not. Now they have a few bucks to gamble Monday, too.”
Mark Scheig: “I like the trade for both sides. Losing Kessel hurts PIT, but if things were as bad as reported, that’s a good thing for PIT. Plus they get Galchenyuk, Joseph and cap space. ARI gets Phil and is must-see TV.”
Catherine Silverman: “Phil Kessel would have been Arizona’s leading scorer by 35 points last season. Alex Galchenyuk adds badly needed youth and a bit of cost control in Pittsburgh. It’s really hard to find a way to complain about this deal much for either side.”
@Prospects_Watch: “Joseph is a pretty good D prospect. Rutherford did alright here.”
TRADE
Coyotes: Phil Kessel, 4th
Penguins: Alex Galchenyuk, Pierre-Oliver JosephPenguins trade a very weak defensive player for a similarly weak defensive player who is significantly worse offensively (albeit six years younger and $2.9M cheaper). pic.twitter.com/5UR6yc2liM
— dom luszczyszyn (@domluszczyszyn) June 30, 2019
Phil Kessel
Dane Birks
Alex Galchenyuk
Pierre-Olivier Joseph