Former Penguin Stanley Cup Champion Close to Signing with Powerhouse Team

Former Penguin and Stanley Cup Champion Phil Kessel has been an UFA for the duration of the season. Insider Rick Dhaliwal believes that the Vancouver Canucks are close to getting a deal done with him.

For those asking, the #Canucks are still poking around UFA Phil Kessel.

I will have an update on Kessell on the show.@DonnieandDhali

10am-noon.

CHEK TV— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) February 8, 2024

Another former Penguin and Coach of the Canucks also chimed in on the possible deal.

Rick Tocchet on Phil Kessel :"There's value in Phil, I think he can still play, 100 per cent."

That was last weekend in Toronto in Luke Fox article on Sportsnet.— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) February 8, 2024

Kessel Still has a Nasty Wrist Shot and Can Contribute to a Powerplay Unit

The 36-year-old veteran has played in over 1200 games in his career. He is a three time Stanley Cup Champion, and even as recently as last season showed that he still has a nasty wrist shot and can be helpful on a powerplay unit.

But being out of hockey for this current year and at his age, it is very possible he has lost a step and may not be able to contribute at the NHL level. Last year with the Golden Knights he played in 82 games scoring 14 goals. But he did not make it into every playoff game for a reason.

Signing a veteran like Kessel could be a good move for the Canucks, as he would only be looking at league minimum and still could contribute some goals down the stretch.

As Read On: Oilers Daily - BREAKING: Phil Kessel close to signing with Canadian team