NHL Rumors: Free Agents Phil Kessel and PK Subban

TSN: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period on TSN Montreal 690 radio Monday when asked what could happen to unrestricted free agent winger Phil Kessel and defenseman PK Subban.

“With Kessel, I think it’s more, let’s see how the contenders line up. Do they feel like they have any holes in the lineup going into camp or after camp?

I don’t think anything is likely to happen anytime soon, yet, but it could be a scenario where a contender says, “Look, we need someone to come into our bottom nine who can put the puck in the net and then execute good on the power play as well as a finisher. Would you take a base salary of $1 million and maybe we’ll add bonuses?” Or the league minimum and double it on bonuses?

Indeed, it will be his decision. I think that’s where he is now. If he wants to chase another ring, he already has a couple with the Pens, that’s ultimately what he has to do.”

“On the PK side, it was quieter than I expected. It could be a similar scenario. Now I don’t think he will make that kind of money, it will be more. Definitely in the $2.5-$3 million range on a one-year deal, I’d guess.

But this will be another type of “prove me” where you can regain that status or at least improve your game more than you have in the last couple of years. And then he went out the following summer and earned himself a contact. But, probably, on the side of the applicant, everything is for less money. Probably in the $2 to $2.5 to $3 million range for PC

Probably where he ends up on a team that feels like it can compete for a championship.”