Report: Price tag set on Ryan Kesler

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During Monday night's edition of Insider Trading, TSN's Bob McKenzie revealed the rather robust asking price set by Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis for the deadline's top trade commodity, Ryan Kesler.

The two-way center can apparently be had for the following: 

1. A 20 to 25-year-old established NHL center
2. A top-end prospect (preferably a forward)
3. A first-round pick

Darren Dreger added that the Toronto Maple Leafs expressed interest in the 29-year-old U.S. Olympian, but general manager Dave Nonis will not part with blossoming defenseman Morgan Rielly to obtain Kesler's services. Likely a deal-breaker. 

Should Gillis find a trading partner before the clock strikes three on Wednesday, any brokered deal would still require Kesler's approval. According to the Vancouver Province, he has already nixed the possibility of joining the Columbus Blue Jackets in what would be a homecoming of sorts. 

Kesler played one season for the Ohio State Buckeyes before bolting to the professional ranks, but will not return to Ohio's capital to join the budding Blue Jackets.