In his peak throughout the 2010s, Phil Kessel was a consistent 30-goal threat, displaying his electric shooting talent en route to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins (and with the Toronto Maple Leafs before that). While Kessel’s move to Arizona for the last three seasons may have left him forgotten in some circles, he’s coming off his best season in three years.
Despite a career-low 4.6 shooting percentage, Kessel will pitch his relatively high point total, especially given the poor state of affairs in Arizona, to convince teams he’s still a credible threat. And, looking at his strong play-driving numbers from last season, he may have a point. Despite seeing his ice time dip to its lowest point during his three years in Arizona, Kessel still managed to finish within 11 points of the team lead at age 34.
It’s not often that a 34-year-old is on the open market with a strong reason to invest in a rebound season, but that’s the case with Kessel. Even if his defense hasn’t been pretty lately, it was never a selling point to his game. Considering his career average shooting percentage sits over 10 percent, expecting Kessel to have a stronger offensive season in 2022-23, at least in terms of putting pucks in the net, is a safe bet.
His Stanley Cup pedigree should also make him an attractive option for teams looking for affordable depth to help push them over the hump to a Stanley Cup.
Stats
2021-22: 82 GP, 8-44-52, -24 rating, 40 PIMs, 175 shots, 45.3 CF%, 16:41 ATOI
Career: 1204 GP, 399-557-956, -148 rating, 372 PIMs, 3700 shots, 49.3 CF%, 18:02 ATOI
Potential Suitors
Kessel should find a home before a lot of other veterans are forced to settle for PTOs as training camps begin. While he’s not what he used to be, he still had more than 50 points last season. With his low price tag, he should be an attractive option as teams continue to tinker with their rosters during the month of August.
There could be a spot for him in the bottom six of a retooled Calgary Flames forward group. While Jakob Pelletier is a strong candidate to make a jump to the NHL next season after a strong season in Stockton, Kessel could challenge other veterans such as Milan Lucic or Sean Monahan for playing time at a cheaper price and more goal-scoring upside. He could go Cup-chasing with the Colorado Avalanche as well, as they’ve lost some depth forwards such as Andre Burakovsky and Nicolas Aube-Kubel. He could also stand to be a solid secondary scoring option for the Minnesota Wild after they lost Kevin Fiala.
If he wants to head back East, the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and Florida Panthers are a trio of teams that could use him in their bottom six.
Projected Contract
Kessel came in 23rd on our Top 50 UFAs list in early July. While he likely won’t command the $2MM AAV we predicted at this point, there’s still a solid chance he could earn seven figures and not have to settle for a league minimum deal. It all likely depends on the cap situation of the team Kessel opts to sign with, as after over $90MM in career earnings, per CapFriendly, money likely won’t be a huge factor in his decision.
He made a fortune, he should retire .
He won’t retire until he breaks yandles consecutive games played record
Or maybe he should determine when he should step away, instead of listening to your babbling.
If that’s what he’s after, he’s not going to a contending team. Welcome to the Kraken, Phil, where your spot in the lineup will be assured.
yes Ironman is most important to him….. not winning… or playing any D.. or hustling.. or practicing.
clearly, doggyboy is upset..️
Kessel isn’t getting out of bed for league minimum. He isn’t that guy.
I think he would. He is a misunderstood player.
He absolutely would. He needs 8 games for the consecutive games played record. He’s not missing out on that.
Anaheim.
Come on back to Pittsburgh
Get it done Edmonton
I know people attack him but everything you hear teammates love the guy. Notice no raised a stink when play one shift to then go back for birth of his child. Everything you hear teammates/ex teammates completely supported it. He seems to have excellent sense of humor especially about himself. No one is going to pay big bucks . Malkin would love him back in pittsburgh.
Malkin is the reason he’s not in Pittsburgh.
You should consider thinking prior to posting. Would be a good career move.
Phil needs to accept that he’s got to take whatever he’s offered.
No way his iron man streak should end because no one would sign a 52 point scorer.
VGK needs cheap players.
He will sign with whomever has the best hotdog vendor at their arena. Fill loves his dogs.
And you don’t know hockey. The guy can play.
@doghockey wtf is wrong with you? Nobody wants to use your pronouns?
Phil identifies as a hot dog
Would be amazing to see him finish his career where it started in Bean Town, Bruins needs some help with few players out to start the season minimum 35+ salary maybe LTIR , and they have the Boston Hot Dog Company,
Kinda surprised no one’s scooped Kessel up yet, and for a good bit more than league minimum. He is what he is, but he’s still a good offensive producer, and that horrible shooting percentage pretty much has to revert to the mean.
Honestly I think teams are filling their rosters and someone will go back to him and offer him what they have, which is probably the minimum in most cases. Someone will pick him up, just at a salary that will force his hand.
Blues should take a look. Put him on the 3rd or 4th line. Worked with Steen