NHL Insider provides significant update on Phil Kessel's future

Training camps around the National Hockey League are set to open next week and there's plenty of well-known names available on the free agent market, including forward Phil Kessel.

Earlier this month, it was reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman that Kessel wants to continue playing in the National Hockey League and knows that he may have to end his ironman streak to do so. He also is willing to play, even if he's not in the lineup every night.

On Thursday, TSN's Chris Johnston gave an update on Kessel's future in the NHL, saying that teams are interested in signing him and at this time, it doesn't appear that he'll have to settle for a professional tryout contract (PTO).


Kessel, 35, spent the 2022-23 season with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he won the third Stanley Cup of his career. In 82 regular season games, the Madison, Wisconsin native had 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists), 30 penalty minutes and was a minus-seven. He went on to add two assists in four Stanley Cup Playoff games.

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out over the coming weeks, but Phil Kessel has plenty left in the tank and could be a solid depth option for contending teams on a one-year, league minimum contract.

Do you think Kessel will be playing in the National Hockey League this season? Share your thoughts in the poll below!

It sounds like there's some percolating interest from NHL teams in signing Phil Kessel to a contract for this season.

The veteran forward isn't in PTO territory at this juncture.— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 14, 2023