Report: Canucks C Ryan Kesler requested a trade earlier this season
Oft-injured, high-scoring Vancouver Canucks two-way ace Ryan Kesler has been at the center of trade rumors this week, despite Canucks general manager Mike Gillis insisting on Feb. 24 that he would prefer to land "a player to help Kesler."
Where there is smoke, there is often fire. TVA's Louis Jean reported on Wednesday that Ryan Kesler wants out of Vancouver and in fact requested a trade earlier in the season:,
Sources say Ryan Kesler requested a trade some time ago & wants out of Vcr. Told #Canucks don't want to trade him but may not have a choice.
— Louis Jean (@LouisJean_TVA) February 27, 2014
Jean later added that the Canucks may find it difficult to move Kesler in advance of next week's trade deadline and could wait for the draft to move the American Olympian.
TSN's Bob McKenzie also touched on Ryan Kesler's availability in an appearance on TSN Radio 1050 in Toronto on Wednesday. McKenzie described Vancouver's posture on the Kesler trade front as "aggressively listening," suggested that the market for Kesler's services would be competitive.
"A guy like Ryan Kesler, there's a lot of interest, there are a lot of teams that would like to get Ryan Kesler," McKenzie said. He also highlighted some of obstacles that could complicate such a transaction: "Kesler has a no-trade clause and some people think he has a broken finger. So whether that chills the market place or ultimately does them in as far as trading Kesler remains to be seen."
In addition to the no-trade clause and the potential injury, we can add "media reports that he requested a trade" to the list of complications facing the Canucks should they look to move their Selke winning centerman.