Insider reveals the Phil Kessel trade that could have been

However, Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman revealed on the 32 Thoughts Podcast with Jeff Marek that the Nashville Predators came very close to adding Phil Kessel.

"The Nashville Predators were one of the teams very interested in Phil Kessel and were close to a deal."

This could have been an awesome chance for the Nashville Predators to bring Kessel to Music City. Though Friedman didn't reveal what the Coyotes wanted in return or what the Predators were offering, the rumoured ask was a 3rd round pick. The only problem for most teams was that the Coyotes used all of their retained salary slots and were unable to facilitate a Kessl trade via salary retention.

Phil Kessel, 34, has 7 goals and 35 assists in 67 games this season with the Coyotes. Kessel won two Stanley Cups as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins and is 2nd behind only Keith Yandle for most consecutive games played in the NHL with 967 games.

Credit:Hockey Feed