March 8, 2:02 p.m.: The Canucks have not signed Phil Kessel by the trade deadline, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports.
March 8, 8:48 a.m.: Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK and The Athletic relays that the signing is contingent on Vancouver opening up enough cap space before the deadline. Otherwise, it won’t happen. If they can do so, the agreement is expected to be for the prorated minimum salary of $775K.
March 7: The Canucks are expected to sign free-agent winger Phil Kessel through the remainder of the season before tomorrow’s trade deadline, Chris Johnston of The Athletic and TSN reports.
Kessel, 36, had been linked to the Canucks as far back as last summer. It became apparent last month that Vancouver would be his next NHL home after Canucks GM Patrik Allvin announced Kessel had traveled to the area and would be skating with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.
Vancouver must sign Kessel by 2 p.m. CT on Friday to make him eligible to play in the postseason. Players not on their team’s reserve list at the trade deadline are ineligible to play in the playoffs.
A three-time Stanley Cup winner, including just last season with the Golden Knights, Kessel still carries value as a depth winger with decent scoring ability. While he was a healthy scratch for most of Vegas’ playoff run, he appeared in all 82 regular-season games, continuing his league-record streak of 1,064 consecutive games played. That streak will remain active until he’s scratched for a regular-season contest while under contract.
Averaging a career-low 12:49 per game last season, Kessel scored 14 goals and added 22 assists for 36 points. However, his possession impacts were subpar for the third straight season – a 46.1 CF% at even strength and a -2.5 expected rating. His 1.82 shots per game were also a career low, although that’s to be expected with a reduction in ice time.
Kessel could see an even further reduced role in Vancouver, as he’s likely to unseat any of Teddy Blueger, Conor Garland or Dakota Joshua for a spot as a third-line winger. He’ll instead likely skate in a fourth-line role, slotting in above the likes of Phillip Di Giuseppe. However, it’s hard to imagine Kessel’s iron-man streak lasting much longer with Vancouver’s already strong scoring depth on the wing.
The 2007 Masterton Trophy winner will be a UFA again next summer.
Lulz
LMAO!
Why? Why!? are you laughing. He’s won multiple Cups. He’s had a long and healthy career. And there’s nothing to indicate that his tank is empty. He’s not expected to be a star player anymore, but he’s a great – and fresh – addition for a club going all-in for the Cup.
Wilf is short on hockey knowledge but makes up for it by posting incessantly. Enjoy the ride – he’s fun to watch.
What did I say here that was incorrect?
Yet again, we were unable to move Wilf at the trade deadline. We even included 5 first round picks but were still unable to find a buyer. :/
@Gbear — No Jim Benning, no Pierre Dorion, no Trader Bob or Trader Pete…no shot. :) Life just isn’t fair sometimes.
@Mac – We even plied a few of those GM’s with libations, but the answer was still “hell no!”. :D
He was benched in the playoffs last season, The Canucks don’t need him, He’s lazy, He has nothing left in the tank, And oh yah! He is only being signed as a favor to get his 8 points to reach a 1000 career points, Tocchet and Kessel are friends. Now! Go get your shine box!!!!
These players are valuable in the locker room. Kessel and Quick last year? They may not play a lot, but experience goes a long way when it comes to the playoffs.
Except Philly has a rep for being a whiner & a loafer everywhere he’s been. Hates coaches, hates to be told what to do, and has never been shy about letting other players know about how much he hates other people. There’s a reason he’s been at home on the couch eating hot dogs this entire season.
Hence the “Kessel Whisperer” Tocchet…
Just keep feeding him hamburgers!
All the players are adults and each club has numerous coaches, The good in the locker room is an old, Tired, And lazy narrative, What’s special about zkessel in the room? Perhaps he can teach the youngsters what not to eat.
Vancouver just got chunkier.
I think we can pump the breaks on the Iron Man streak – he’s already established an all but unbeatable record.
Show’s how strong you are in depth when you have Phil Kessel on your 4th line!
Whoops, he didn’t sign in time. Was too hard to get away from those burger deals at Wendy’s I guess.
Poor Phil.
LMAO!!!!!!
As tubby pushes his hotdog cart into the sunset, His final words were, Abbotsford is beautiful this time of year!
He’s a million times better than anyone who has ever commentated here. And that includes Shea weber – wwe wannabe.