Insider Provides Update On Phil Kessel's Future

He wrapped up his 17th season in the NHL with his third Stanley Cup, and while that might have been a storybook way to wrap up his career, Phil Kessel is apparently not ready to hang up the skates just yet.

According to Pierre LeBrun on TSN Insider Trading:

He still absolutely hopes to catch on with an NHL team, he has not given up hope. His camp is still in contact with a couple of teams, and one of the things that is in consideration here is that because he hasn't played since last year that there might be a team or two that says, 'hey, come and skate with us for a bit so we can take a look at you'. But he has been skating and trying to stay ready. 

Kessel last played on Apr. 24 early in the Vegas Golden Knights' playoff run. 

Recently, Patrick Kane and Zach Parise have signed contracts after sitting out large chunks of the season, and with Kessel still only 36, he apparently feels he's still up for the task as well. 

In fact, Kessel is still currently the NHL’s Ironman having played in 1,064 consecutive regular season games. Skating in his usual 82 with the Golden Knights last year, he compiled 14 goals and 36 points playing just under 13 minutes a night. The year before with the Arizona Coyotes he played 16:41 per game and notched 52 points in 82 contests. During the Vegas run to the championship last season, Kessel got into four playoff games and recorded two assists, playing just under 12 minutes per game.

Over the course of his 17-year career with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins as well as the Coyotes and Golden Knights, Kessel has recorded 413 goals and 579 assists for 992 points in 1,286 games. 

He has already said that he’d be OK with having his Ironman record snapped in order to play a smaller role for a team this year.

Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports