Friedman: Phil Kessel looking for opportunity to return to NHL

[Koivu11]

“He wants to play. I've heard this. So Paul Bissonnette had a tweet this week about how come Phil Kessel can't get a job.

And I was looking at it and because I had heard and I was going to check that Kessel was calling teams and really wanted to play. And that seems to confirm it. And then I heard it from a couple of people.

He's legit about it. Like that three on three league that was supposed to start up but didn't. I heard Kessel was one of the guys they were really talking to about playing there.

You know, he wants to play. He loves hockey and he wants to play. I don't know if this is going to happen, but it's very, very legitimate that he has put it out there that he wants to play.”

From 32 Thoughts: The Podcast: Sid's Coming Back, Sep 13, 2024

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[Washed Up 29YearOld]

#FreePhil

 

[WarriorofTime]

If he wants to play, why doesn't he play in the AHL? Even Chelios did in his late 40s.

 

[Koivu11]

 

[Empoleon8771]

He's completely washed up. Vancouver gave him a chance last year and he couldn't even keep up with AHLers.

 

[Three On Zero]

He couldn’t get into shape last season, doubtful he can get it completed this season.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

In the NHL, there are a finite number of spots for wingers that aren’t physical and can’t be relied upon defensively. His only value is offense and if the league feels that it’s dried up, he’s out for good.

 

[TootooTrain]

If he proves his skating backwards and is better 1on1 then maybe. But might be too late to teach an old dog new tricks.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

If he wants to play, why doesn't he play in the AHL? Even Chelios did in his late 40s.

There is a major lifestyle difference between playing in the AHL and NHL. It's not even about money. It's about planes and steaks vs greyhound busses and hot dogs....wait maybe he would like the AHL.

 

[Juxtaposer]

The trouble with Phil is that he's totally cooked as an NHL scorer and he has never shown any interest in being a veteran leader. If he had a history of being good around young players, then there might be value in having him around a training camp on a PTO, but alas...

 

[Peen]

He's completely washed up. Vancouver gave him a chance last year and he couldn't even keep up with AHLers.

That’s not been reported anywhere. He never played a game. He only practiced, and they never agreed on a contract.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

The trouble with Phil is that he's totally cooked as an NHL scorer and he has never shown any interest in being a veteran leader. If he had a history of being good around young players, then there might be value in having him around a training camp on a PTO, but alas...

Teams only have so many spots for PTOs, but maybe this is a case where he wants a contract to come back and not a PTO.

A similar thing happened with Chris Neil. He wanted to continue playing, but only if a team offered him an SPC. Montreal offered him a PTO, and he did not take it.

With that said, Kulemin just got a PTO. So if Kessel wants a PTO and can't get one, lol.

 

[Lt Dan]

Insert hot dog joke

 

[banks]

Phil Kessel is an all-time favourite of mine. Just an absolute blast to watch.

I really hope he lands a spot somewhere.

 

[hangman005]

Vegas should bring him back for another cup run

 

[HabsQC]

We're looking for someone at the hot dog stand in the Bell Centre. We can even pay him in hot dogs

Insert hot dog joke

 

[BonMorrison]

Get Grabovski a PTO too. Bring the 2010-11 Leafs band back together.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

He's way past expiration date as NHLer

 

[Breakers]

So he practiced with Vancouvers AHL team and didn’t get a contract

I highly doubt it was they couldn’t agree on a contract

He probably wasn’t offered one

He would take the minimum

 

[CokenoPepsi]

8 points short of 1k

 

[n8]

He needs to be in game shape. He should be posting instagram videos of himself at the gym, jumping out of pools, skating faster than he's ever skated before. I don't care if he's speeding up the video. You can't just do nothing an expect a job. I'm looking at you, Mark Messier (coaching).

 

[Phrasing]

8 points short of 1k

Probably a contributing factor for why he wants to play.

 

[End of Line]

Insert hot dog joke

Good one Randy

 

[Menzinger]

Just give him a.contrsct to get him to 1k points.

Useless plugs get deals all the time. There's got to be at least a couple.teams.thay could use a dirt cheap guy in their 2nd pp unit for a handful of games

 

[Koivu11]

Just give him a.contrsct to get him to 1k points.

Useless plugs get deals all the time. There's got to be at least a couple.teams.thay could use a dirt cheap guy in their 2nd pp unit for a handful of games