Canucks GM Reveals Why They Passed On Former Bruin Phil Kessel

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Austin Sabourin
March 28, 2024 (10:41 PM)

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Amid speculation surrounding former Stanley Cup champion Phil Kessel potentially signing a full-season contract with the Canucks after practicing with Vancouver's AHL affiliate, fans were left wondering why no deal materialized.

Kessel's illustrious career, highlighted by his recent Stanley Cup victory with the Vegas Golden Knights, underscores his value in high-stakes NHL playoffs.

His proven ability to perform consistently, demonstrated by last season's 14 goals and 22 assists in 82 games, makes him a sought-after asset for teams eyeing postseason success.

Initially, hopes were raised when Kessel was seen practicing with the Canucks' AHL team. However, Canucks General Manager Patrick Allvin recently revealed the reasons behind their decision not to pursue a deal with Kessel.

"I think Phil is a great person and a well-respected player. What he has done in the league, a three-time Cup winner, he wanted to come back to play. With being in LTIR and roster complications and how we want to play, unfortunately, at this point it wasn't a fit for us."

While the Canucks are gearing up for a strong season, tensions have been palpable in Vancouver, with players engaging in altercations during practice.

Ultimately, despite practicing with the AHL team, Kessel remains unsigned, leaving fans disappointed. The uncertainty lingers over whether this setback will mark the end of Kessel's career or if he will find his way back into the NHL fold.

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