Multiple sources have confirmed to The Athletic that Phil Kessel, while perfectly willing to remain with the Penguins, isn’t opposed to a trade that would end his time in Pittsburgh.



His preferred destination for a trade, though, appears to be out of the running.



Kessel would be willing to play for the Arizona Coyotes because of his relationship with head coach Rick Tocchet.



However, the Coyotes have informed the Penguins that such a transaction isn’t likely to happen for financial reasons. Kessel is owed $6.8 million per season for four more years — the Maple Leafs are responsible for the other $1.2 million of his contract — and the Coyotes simply aren’t willing to take on that kind of money. Arizona management told the Penguins it is intending on merely reaching the salary cap floor during the 2018-19 season.



Kessel, 30, is fresh off the finest season of his career. He scored 34 goals and produced a career-high 92...