Rumors on the Leafs trading winger Phil Kessel have been a hot story over the last few days and it now looks like the 27-year-old will play for another team in the 2015-16 NHL season, but finding someone to take on a big contract could be difficult.
Kessel struggled last season, scoring just 25 goals, but the three previous years he was among the best scoring wingers in the game and a change of scenery could help him and Toronto move forward.
Babcock and the front office will look to improve the salary cap position of the franchise and that could mean other veterans will get moved this summer. This squad needs some energy and youth, especially on the offensive end of the ice and that will lead to changes, if not this summer, than over the next couple of years.
The style of play will shift to a more physical brand of hockey and the franchise will change the type of players they add through free agency and the draft and it will take time and money, but moving some veteran talent will expatiate the process.
Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Reports has suggested St Louis is looking to make some roster changes. The Blues didn’t have trouble scoring in the regular season, finishing fifth in the NHL, but that didn’t carry over the the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the team was eliminated in the first round for the fourth straight year.
Rumors have started on a possible trade between the two teams. Kessel would have less pressure in St Louis as the team already has a solid scoring group in place. A move would allow Toronto to move forward and start adding the players they feel will lead them back into the playoffs.
