Phil Kessel has not played in an NHL game since the 2023 Stanely Cup Playoffs. Despite this, he remains in great shape just in case an NHL team comes calling. Kessel doesn't care what the situation is, injury, trade, missing out on a trade candidate, he wants to play. He has skated on his own throughout the season and last offseason.
Players who were out of the game have already signed this year, such as Corey Perry and Zach Parise. The belief that these veterans can still play give more hope to Kessel that he has one last run in him with hopefully a contender. A team would most likely invite Kessel in for a workout to monitor his game before signing him.
We last saw Kessel playing for the Vegas Golden Knights where he was a bottom six forward. He ended his season with 14 goals, 22 assists for 36 points. With his playoff resume (3 Stanley Cups) scoring prowess (even as a bottom six or secondary scorer, and veteran presence, his lack of offense is alarming. Kessel could add some valuable playoff experience to a young team such as the Bruins, where he has a history. Only time will tell if Kessel will get an offer from a team, but with only five weeks left until the trade deadline, the window is closing on the possibility of an offer coming.
