Rumour Board Update June 29th: Kessel, Phaneuf, St. Louis

The Phil Kessel sweepstakes kicked off this past Draft weekend but the teams interested want to avoid paying the $4 million bonus due to him on July 1st. A number of teams interested in Kessel will likely try to sign or trade for the a less expensive winger like Patrick Sharp first.

Doesn't sound like the Dion Phaneuf market is too hot right now, but this can be largely chalked up to the glut of elite left shot defensemen hitting the UFA market this week. Teams that would show interest in Phaneuf will circle back later in the summer if they can't get one of the top defensemen on the market. Despite rumours that Mike Babcock wants to coach him, I still think Phaneuf would welcome a change of scenery after last seasons' debacle.

It's been widely reported that Marty St. Louis' preference is to stay in the northeast United States but I believe he will expand his list to include all of the Eastern Conference if need be. 

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