Major development in the Phil Kessel saga has the veteran preparing to sign a deal
Photo credit: NHL
The NHL is into the third month of the 2023-24 NHL season and three-time Stanley Cup champion Phil Kessel is still waiting for a contract.
The 36-year-old played in all 82 games last season with the Vegas Golden Knights, scoring 14 goals and 36 points while averaging a career-low of 12:49 in ice time. Kessel only dressed in four playoffs games on the Golden Knights' run to the Stanley Cup, but has been adamant from day 1 of free agency that he wanted to continue his NHL career, even if it meant sacrificing his record-setting iron man streak.
While Kessel is holding out hope of an NHL return this season, it appears he is open to playing some games in Switzerland, per Insider Pierre LeBrun.
"Free-agent Phil Kessel still awaiting an NHL opportunity and that door hasn't closed. But in the meantime, hearing that he's looking into maybe playing some games in Swiss League. Nothing decided yet." - LeBrun on Kessel
The 5th overall pick from the 2006 NHL draft appears open to all opportunities, even if it means delaying the continuance of his NHL career. Kessel showed last year he still can produce when used in sheltered minutes in a limited role.
In 1,286 games played with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes and Vegas Golden Knights, Kessel has scored 413 goals and 992 points, putting him just 8 points shy of the 1,000 career points plateau - something less than 100 NHL players have done in history.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 18 | 604 ANSWERS Major development in the Phil Kessel saga has the veteran preparing to sign a deal Do you think someone signs Kessel this season? | ||
| Yes, but not until the new year | 319 | 52.8 % |
| No, his NHL career is over | 285 | 47.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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