Although it has been a quiet week in Toronto Maple Leafs news, fans are staying occupied by keeping the rumor mill running. One of the most popular topics of discussion continues to be the potential for a Phil Kessel trade, and fans disagree over whether the Leafs should trade him out of the division.
An editorial by Matt Larkin of The Hockey News suggested trading Kessel to the Montreal Canadiens, who clearly need more talent up front after losing in the second round of the playoffs to the Tampa Bay Lightning and finishing among the bottom of playoff teams in scoring.
But Tim Chiasson of Editor in Leaf said the Canadiens do not have enough quality players to offer Toronto in exchange for a scorer of Kessel's caliber.
"If the Leafs are going to deal Phil Kessel they need an adequate return," Chiasson wrote. "I’m not against inter-division trades, or even deals to arch nemesis, but Montreal and Toronto just don’t seem like a fit for a Phil Kessel trade.
"A more viable option for Toronto – if they are going to trade him – would be to gauge Ray Shero’s interest in New Jersey in hopes of acquiring another top ten pick in the draft. Toronto doesn’t have to trade Phil Kessel, so making a bad trade just for the sake of dealing him would be counter productive to the rebuilding process."
(h/t Editor in Leaf)
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