Music: {allcanada} KESLER REFUTES REPORT THAT HE ASKED CANUCKS TO BE TRADED

Thursday, February 27, 2014

{allcanada} KESLER REFUTES REPORT THAT HE ASKED CANUCKS TO BE TRADED

Vancouver Canucks centre Ryan Kesler was doing damage control after practice on Thursday, refuting a report that he's asked for a trade.

"I never commented to anyone that I wanted out," he explained. "My heart is with this group and making the playoffs."

Kesler added that the rumours are "completely false" that he asked to be traded - recently or ever. "I don't want to talk about this," he continued. "I don't want this to be a distraction...I'm happy to be here."

While there's lots of speculation that the Canucks could be looking to move the 29-year-old centre, TVA Sports reported on Wednesday night that Kesler approached the team requesting to be dealt.

Speaking to Adrian Dater of The Denver Post on Wednesday night, Kesler's agent Kurt Overhardt also denied the story, calling it "a bunch of B.S."

On Thursday, Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo sent a tweet out saying: "Whether he wants to go or stay, he's not going anywhere. We all know how this script ends" #canucks

Kesler, 29, is recovering from a hand injury and did not dress on Wednesday night for Vancouver's post-Olympic opener against the St. Louis Blues. He hopes to play Friday night when the Canucks host the Minnesota Wild.

He has two more years remaining on a six-year, $30 million contract, which pays him $5 million in each of the next two seasons.

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