Potential Destination for Phil Kessel Emerges
Kessel to Remain in the NHL?
Phil Kessel, the NHL's Iron Man, still hasn't signed a contract for next season.
At 35 years old, he knows that he doesn't have the same speed as in his glory days, and that's why he'll likely get a one-year deal close to the NHL's minimum wage.
According to Elliotte Friedman, he has even let teams know that "it won't be a problem if he's not an everyday player."
However, he still wants to play. Coming off the third Stanley Cup win of his career, Kessel can still bring a lot to a team looking for offensive depth.
A new team has been linked to the veteran.
New Team Linked to Kessel
Taking into account that Kessel will earn something close to $1M, and that 20 teams have less than $1.5M of projected cap space for next season, the list of possible destinations isn't a long one.
It has been reported recently that the Columbus Blue Jackets should go after Kessel on the market.
First, they have the money.
Second, they need more offensive depth. They finished 31st last season with Patrik Laine and Johnny Gaudreau on their roster. The problem is deeper in the lineup. Kessel would be a great fit for the Blue Jackets' bottom-six.
Finally, this isn't a big risk at all. Paying a million for a three-time Stanley Cup champion, a talented veteran, and a great leader isn't much.
The reward could be significant, as he'll try to make a mark in the NHL while he still can.
As seen on 1st ohio battery - Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that UFA Phil Kessel wants to continue his career; could he fit with the Blue Jackets?
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 5 | 1 ANSWERS Potential Destination for Phil Kessel Emerges Do you think Kessel will play in the NHL next season? | ||
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APRIL 27, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Mikhail Sergachev | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Brett Howden | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Nick Schmaltz | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Sidney Crosby | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jack Eichel | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Noah Hanifin | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Rasmus Ristolainen | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Alex Bump | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Michael Carcone | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ian Cole | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Connor Dewar | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Clayton Keller | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Kristopher Letang | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Travis Sanheim | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Cole Smith | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Elmer Soderblom | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Noah Cates | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Lawson Crouse | - | 1 | 1 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||