Insider provides major update on Phil Kessel's hockey future and if retirement is an option

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Matt Garland
December 7, 2023 (11:04)

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The NHL is into the third month of the 2023-24 NHL season and three-time Stanley Cup champion Phil Kessel is still waiting for a contract.

The 36 year old played in all 82 games last season with the Vegas Golden Knights, scoring 14 goals and 36 points while averaging a career-low of 12:49 in ice time. Kessel only dressed in four playoffs games on the Golden Knights run to the Stanley Cup.

Insider Chris Johnston was on his CJ show with co-host Julian McKenzie discussing Phil Kessel's chances of coming back to the NHL this season.

"Phil has wanted to return the whole time, He was reluctant to go to a team's training camp on a tryout contract, so didn't do that. But, you know he's continued to skate. He's living in Arizona, keeping himself game read. There have been ongoing discussions. There was something in October that was very close, like he was going to get a contract but that obviously didn't happen. The weeks become months, is it all for him?

"In his mind and heart, he hopes not, and so it's going to take one team who is serious enough to give him a chance. He is still the NHL's active ironman. He's just looking to sign somewhere and keep playing. If that team doesn't want to dress him on back to back nights or have him as an extra forward. I think he would be to some of those opportunities. Only time will tell if Phil Kessel is back in the NHL. But certainly it's his desire to get back there."

The 5th pick from the 2006 NHL draft appears open to all opportunities and is just starving to continue his NHL career. Kessel showed last year he still can produce when put in a limited role.

In 1,286 games played with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes and Vegas Golden Knights, Kessel has scored 413 goals and 992 points.