The Phil Kessel saga finally ended yesterday, not so much with a bang as with a whimper. Performing an abrupt about-face from his recently stated position that the colorful winger would remain a Penguin, general manager Jim Rutherford dealt “Phil the Thrill” to Arizona for forward Alex Galchenyuk.
Fleshing out the deal, the Pens also sent minor-league defensemen Dane Birks and a fourth-round pick in the 2020 Entry Draft to the Coyotes while receiving puck-moving defense prospect Pierre-Oliver Joseph, a former first-round pick.
The parting for the most part seemed amiable.