Toronto Maple Leafs

Report: Leafs' price is wrong on Kessel

Published Jun. 19, 2015 1:23 p.m. ET

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It's no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to shop maligned forward Phil Kessel this summer, but according to a report from ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, the Leafs are setting the price for Kessel too high.

"Two hockey executives from rival teams said that over the past several weeks the Leafs have a price for Kessel that is way, way too high," LeBrun wrote in a recent ESPN story. "So the executives are staying away until it comes down." 

The Leafs have some time to test the market to see what they can get for Kessel, but his contract complicates trade negotiations. Kessel has a partial no-trade clause and seven years left on a deal that will cost teams $8 million in cap space. 

But Toronto might not want to wait too long on Kessel if the Leafs hope to get more picks in this year's draft, which will take place next week. The Leafs currently have two first-round picks (No. 4 and No. 24) and eight overall picks. The draft will be especially important for Toronto this season as it attempts to rebuild its organization.

(h/t The Score)

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

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