Trade Phil Kessel.
That’s the argument Sportsnet analyst Damian Cox made in his column in Thursday’s Toronto Star.
“Now, as the team crashes into the shoals in one of the ugliest late season swoons in franchise history, it’s clear that Kessel isn’t The One,” wrote Cox. “Fish or cut bait time. And cutting bait makes the most sense.”
The article applauds Kessel’s scoring touch but finds issue with his two-way play, his lack of leadership, and his looming pay raise. Better to trade the team’s leading scorer this summer before his value dips, Cox suggests.
The road-tripping Toronto Maple Leafs, who face-off against the Tampa Bay Lightning, responded to the idea of Kessel changing uniforms during their media scrum after Thursday’s morning skate.
