Phil Kessel One Step Closer to Landing Contract

The month of February is now halfway over, and there is still one notable free agent without a home – Phil Kessel. However, with the playoffs getting closer, the veteran winger is now one step closer to landing a contract.

Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin has announced that Kessel will be working out with the club's AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks during this week.

Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin on Phil Kessel:

“Phil has made his way to Vancouver and will be working out in Abbotsford this week. “
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 14, 2024

Kessel had been connected to the Canucks as of late, and now he will be looking to impress with their AHL affiliate in hopes of landing a contract. Given the fact that he is a skilled veteran forward who just had 14 goals and 36 points in 82 games last season with the Vegas Golden Knights, it is certainly possible that he will earn a deal.

The Canucks are having a spectacular season and have cemented themselves as real contenders. Thus, it could be worthwhile for them to bring in Kessel for their bottom six. He would also give them a player who has won the Stanley Cup three times.

Given the fact that we are so deep into the season, Kessel is unlikely to demand anything more than a league-minimum contract. With the Canucks needing more forward depth, it will be interesting to see if they give him a deal in the near future.

Kessel has appeared in 1,286 career NHL games, where he has 413 goals to go along with 992 points. We will need to wait and see if he gets the chance to improve upon these career numbers as a Canuck before the season is over from here.