Despite not playing since the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the 36-year-old has stayed in game shape by skating on his own throughout the offseason and regular season.
Teams considering Phil Kessel might opt for a tryout to assess his form in organized hockey before committing to a contract.
While Kessel had considered joining the Swiss National League, no deal materialized.
Recently, a couple of NHL teams have shown interest, and with the signings of Corey Perry and Zach Parise, Kessel's availability might garner more attention.
Kessel's last season with the Vegas Golden Knights saw him contribute 14 goals, 22 assists, and 36 points in a bottom-six role, maintaining his impressive ironman streak of 1,064 consecutive games played.
Despite his proven production and playoff success, including three Stanley Cup rings, the lack of offers for the league minimum salary has left some puzzled. The Bruins, in particular, a team in need of scoring support in their bottom six, could benefit from Kessel's experience.
However, as TSN's Pierre LeBrun notes, there's no guarantee that a team will extend an offer in the next five weeks, creating uncertainty around Kessel's future destination. Stay tuned for updates on this intriguing storyline.
POLL | ||
Do you think Kessel will play in the NHL again? | ||
Yes | 177 | 41.7 % |
No | 247 | 58.3 % |
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