Monday could end up being one of the busiest days in Toronto Maple Leafs history.
With trade rumours swirling around team captain Dion Phaneuf, Renaud Levoie of TVA Sports reports the Maple Leafs are also “working hard” to trade Phil Kessel prior to the 3 p.m. ET deadline.
According to Lavoie, Kessel’s no-trade clause stipulates there is a list of eight teams where he can agree to be traded to.
The Maple Leafs are in the midst of a massive rebuild and The Globe and Mail reported last month that players such as Phaneuf and Kessel are not part of the organization’s future plans.
Once on pace for a 40-goal, point-per-game season, Kessel has struggled mightily since December with just five goals in 2015. Still, the 27-year-old right winger leads the Leafs in goals (23) and assists (27) to go along with his 20 penalty minutes and minus-21 rating.
Over the past five seasons, Kessel ranks fourth in the NHL in total goals (149), games played (357) and sixth in points (328).
