Report: Penguins, Wild discussing Kessel deal

The Minnesota Wild have a trade proposal on the table that's centered on Pittsburgh Penguins sniper Phil Kessel, sources told The Athletic's Josh Yohe.

However, Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford continues to talk to other teams about Kessel, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports, who adds that it's a question of when - not if - Kessel is dealt.

Rutherford has said publicly he's willing to shake up his roster, while Kessel's name has frequently been mentioned in rumors.

Kessel helped the Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, but the team was swept out of the first round by the New York Islanders this postseason.

The 31-year-old has three years remaining on his current eight-year deal and carries an annual cap hit of $8 million.

In terms of what the Penguins can expect in exchange, it's believed that talented winger Jason Zucker would be part of the trade, reports Yohe. The 27-year-old's speed would fit the Penguins' run-and-gun style and he's hit the 20-goal mark in four of the past five seasons.

The two sides also apparently discussed Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson and Wild forward Victor Rask, both of whom are signed to long-term deals.

Kessel - a Madison, Wis., native - played one season with the University of Minnesota in 2005-06 before turning pro.