Latest on Phil Kessel

As reported here in the immediate aftermath of the Penguins ouster in Round 2, the organization is operating with only three untouchables on the roster;

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Matt Murray with Jake Guentzel, Brian Dumoulin and Patric Hornqvist about as close as you can get to being an untouchable this summer.

Along with Crosby, Malkin and Fleury, they’re going nowhere.

What the Penguins are — is wide open for business on winger Phil Kessel and to a slightly lesser extent Kris Letang. —

Where things stand with those two is the Penguins have begun approaching teams on Kessel ahead of pro scouting meetings next week and into the following week for multiple clubs of what the Penguins would seek in a Kessel trade.

Two scenarios have been put out there by the Penguins, per a league source:

1. They’re seeking a James Neal – Patric Hornqvist type swap, moving Kessel for a more well rounded 200 ft player, which a source characterized as the Penguins primary goal in shopping Kessel. In the right deal for an impact player in return, Pittsburgh is also said to be open to keeping a small percentage of the Kessel contract.

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