Penguins' trade of Kessel shakes up athletes list

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins finally made the trade expected during the off-season — moving enigmatic star right wing Phil Kessel in a trade to the Arizona Coyotes in return for center Alex Galchenyuk.

Those were the main names in the trade. The Penguins also sent a fourth-round pick and defenseman Dane Birks to Arizona and the Pens also got back defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph.

PHOTOS: Highest-paid Pittsburgh-area professional athletes (July 2019)

Kessel earned $7 million last year and has two years remaining with salary cap hits of $6.8 million for each year. Galchenyuk has one year remaining on a contract paying him $4.9 million annually.

These changes shook up the List of the Highest-Paid Pittsburgh-area Professional Athletes.

Here at the top five and their salaries:

1. Ben Roethlisberger ($45,000,000)
2. Maurkice Pouncey ($13,000,000)
3. Devin Bush ($12,239,920)
4. Francisco Cervelli ($10,333,333)
5. Sidney Crosby ($10,000,000)

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