Kesler denies trade request

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Ryan Kesler says he does not want to be traded out of Vancouver. The forward has been at the centre of a rumour fire storm after reports yesterday suggested he approached Canucks management about being traded.

Kesler insists he wants to remain in Vancouver

“I never commented to anyone that I wanted out. My heart is with this group and making the playoffs.”

Some of the reports suggest Kesler has grown frustrated with the team and it started with Head Coach John Tortorella removing him as an assistant captain at the beginning of the season.

“It really does me no good to comment on it. Obviously I was hurt at the time and I’ve talked to Tortorella about it and everything is fine.”

He also says the team has not approached him about waiving his no trade clause.

“I don’t want to talk about this after today. I don’t want my teammates to talk about this. I don’t want you guys to ask them. I don’t want to be a distraction. We have 21 games to make the playoffs and that is the main focus. That is what the focus should be on. It should be on playing and me getting back and helping my team.”

The American was injured playing for the United States during the Olympics. He hurt his left hand while blocking an Ilya Kovalchuk slap shot in the round robin. He played another three games in Sochi and the Americans finished fourth. He had an MRI on his hand when he returned to Vancouver. The team hasn’t revealed the results of the test, but he missed last night’s 1-0 win over St. Louis, and practiced today with a soft cast on the hand.

Kesler says he hopes to play on Friday when the Canucks host the Minnesota Wild at Rogers Arena.

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. and the game can be seen on Sportsnet Pacific.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today