Major Update on Phil Kessel's Future in NHL
An NHL Insider has provided a huge update on the NHL future of three-time Stanley Cup Champion Phil Kessel, indicating we could see him back in the league very soon. Kessel hasn't played since winning his third with the Vegas Golden Knights last season.
Huge News on the Future of Phil Kessel
Kessel was a free agent going into 2023-24, but either found no takers for his services, or they weren't offering the money his camp is looking for. On the latest edition of Insider Trading, TSN's Pierre Lebrun says Kessel is still hoping to find someone to sign him for this season, and there is interest.
"His camp is still in contact with a couple of teams. One of the things that is in consideration here is that because he hasn't played since last year, that it might be a team or two that says, 'Hey, come and skate with us for a bit so we can take a look at ya and see where things are.'" - Pierre Lebrun
Phil Kessel in Contact with Teams in Hopes of a Comeback
Kessel played all 82 games with Vegas in 2022-23, maintaining NHL record-setting Iron Man streak (1084 in total). He managed 14 goals and 36 points over that span. However, he was used sparingly in the playoffs, making it into the lineup for just four post-season games.
Surely a team that believes it has a legitimate spot at a Stanley Cup could use Kessel in their lineup to add more depth. Not playing for a while is certainly a disadvantage, though. Especially considering we're already at the NHL All-Star break. If we see him training harder any time soon, it would be a pretty good indication that he's getting ready to go.
| POLL | ||
FÉVRIER 1 | 102 ANSWERS Major Update on Phil Kessel's Future in NHL Do you think someone will sign Kessel this season? | ||
| Yes | 46 | 45.1 % |
| No | 43 | 42.2 % |
| Not sure | 13 | 12.7 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Conor Garland | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Mason Marchment | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Anders Lee | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Kirill Marchenko | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Chandler Stephenson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Dylan Strome | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Connor McMichael | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Ryan Donato | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Adam Fantilli | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Simon Holmstom | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Brett Howden | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Roman Josi | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Travis Konecny | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Cole Perfetti | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jared Spurgeon | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jake Walman | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Tom Wilson | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Shane Wright | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jamie Benn | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 24 | 18 | 6 | - | 36 | |
Wild | 23 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 34 | |
Devils | 26 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 34 | |
Capitals | 23 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 33 | |
Hurricanes | 23 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 33 | |
Golden Knights | 24 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 33 | |
Panthers | 24 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 29 | |
Kings | 24 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 29 | |
Stars | 22 | 14 | 8 | - | 28 | |
Maple Leafs | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||