With just weeks to go before National Hockey League (NHL) training camps begin, veteran Phil Kessel is an unrestricted free agent and, despite his three Stanley Cup rings, still has the fire and wants to play in 2023-2024.
And according to Sportsnet pundit Elliotte Friedman, the 35-year-old forward is poised to end his — still active — streak of 1,064 regular-season games, the longest in Bettman Circuit history. The Vegas Golden Knights cup winner, who barely used him in the playoffs, is ready to take part in sporadic encounters, according to the same source.
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Before the 2022–23 season, Kessel signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract. He scored 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points. After playing all 82 scheduled games, he made four playoff appearances and provided two assists. Additionally, he is eight points shy of reaching the 1,000 career plateau.