Elliotte Friedman shares an update on Phil Kessel's NHL future ahead of the season

PUBLICATION

Julien Trekker
September 13, 2024  (4:44 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Photo credit: Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers

Elliotte Friedman shared an update on Phil Kessel's NHL future ahead of the season during the latest edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast.

The renowned NHLer Phil Kessel won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and has not been seen on NHL ice since. He became a free agent at the end of the 2022-23 season and remains one to this day.

After spending the last year training, Kessel has never lost his passion or desire to play in the NHL.

Spittin' Chiclets co-host Paul Bissonnette even made a post on X a few days ago, expressing his confusion as to why teams haven't offered Kessel a professional tryout.

It turns out that this could change, as Kessel has not closed the door on returning to the NHL.

In fact, according to insider Elliotte Friedman, the three-time Stanley Cup champion absolutely wants to come back and compete:

Kessel, 36, worked out with the Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate earlier this year, near the trade deadline. It ultimately led to nothing as the Canucks decided to seek reinforcements on the trade market instead.

He was drafted 5th overall in 2006 by the Boston Bruins and has played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Arizona Coyotes, in addition to the Bruins and Golden Knights.

Kessel ranks 12th for most points among American players, with 413 goals and 579 assists in 1,286 games.

Kessel wants to play, and he has made it clear. If a team is interested, he will likely sign a professional tryout. If it doesn't happen before the start of training camp, it could happen at any point this season.

Source: Elliotte Friedman on X

Source for Phil Kessel's statistics: Hockey DB

Warning: include(/home//inout/pub_inline.php): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/marqueur/public_html/news/auto/blogs_id/428956.php on line 37

Warning: include(): Failed opening '/home//inout/pub_inline.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/opt/cpanel/ea-php74/root/usr/share/pear') in /home/marqueur/public_html/news/auto/blogs_id/428956.php on line 37

Previously

German hockey player files lawsuit against opponent over paralysis

Beloved Toronto Maple Leafs coach Greg Harden passes away

Tom Brady emerges as possible replacement for Miami Dolphins if Tua Tagovailoa is forced to retire

POLL
SEPTEMBRE 13   |   197 ANSWERS Elliotte Friedman shares an update on Phil Kessel's NHL future ahead of the season Do you think Phil Kessel will play in the NHL during the 2024-25 season?
Yes	72	36.5 %
No	125	63.5 %
LIST OF POLLS

MUST READ

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Vancouver Canucks' Contract Offer to Brock Boeser Leaks Publicly

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Montreal Canadiens Star Undergoes Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Philadelphia Flyers Officially Looking to Trade Former 39-Goal Scorer

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Evander Kane May Be in His Final Days in Edmonton After Friedman Reveals New Information

Feb 28  |  By Mike Whitaker Maple Leafs Forward Pulls Back Trade Request

Feb 27  |  By Mike Whitaker Brad Marchand Goes Viral for Passionate Video Ahead of Four Nations Faceoff Final

Feb 27  |  By Mike Whitaker David Pastrnak's Latest Comments Suggest Bruins Will Be Big Sellers at the Deadline

Feb 27  |  By Julien Trekker 6-Foot-6 Winger Linked to the New York Rangers at the Trade Deadline

MORE STORIES