In 2022-23, Kessel played in all 82 games for the Vegas Golden Knights, tallying 14 goals and 32 points over that time, and while he was scratched for the playoff run that led to a Stanley Cup, he remains a valuable free agent.
Now, the Vancouver Canucks are reportedly toying with the idea of adding Phil Kessel, who would likely be used as a solid option in their bottom-six.
This is a Canucks team that already boasts one of the deepest and most talented teams in the league, and while Kessel isn't the player he once was, he would only add to that depth.
Recently, Head Coach Rick Tocchet heaped praise on the veteran too, and with all this lining up, it just makes sense for both parties.
Beyond that, he is a valuable leader that has won three Stanley Cups in his career, and if the Canucks truly believe they are a threat to the Cup in 2023-24, this is the type of low-risk, high-reward move that could be absolutely perfect.
| POLL | ||
FÉVRIER 8 | 111 ANSWERS MAJOR: Canadian Contender Reportedly Eyeing Phil Kessel Would this move make the Canucks the Stanley Cup favourites? | ||
| Yes | 44 | 39.6 % |
| No | 67 | 60.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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LIVE
APRIL 20, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Leo Carlsson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Garnet Hathaway | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Troy Terry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jake Sanderson | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Drake Batherson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Dylan Cozens | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jason Dickinson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Matt Duchene | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brock Faber | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Luke Glendening | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Mark Jankowski | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Wyatt Johnston | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Kasperi Kapanen | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Porter Martone | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Logan Stankoven | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Oskar Back | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jackson Blake | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jalen Chatfield | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Sean Couturier | - | 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 | ||||||