Brewin Flames Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Vegas Golden Knights add veteran presence up front, sign right wing Phil Kessel, 34, to one-year deal The Vegas Golden Knights scooped up one of the last remaining notable free agents Wednesday, agreeing to a one-year deal with American forward Phil Kessel. The deal carries a price tag of $1.5 million, and ensures another veteran presence on a team looking to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after missing out last season. Kessel, 34, who has 956 career points, is the leading active NHL Iron Man, having played in 982 consecutive contests. And his first goal with Vegas next season will be the 400th of his career. Indeed, in a league full of uncertainty -- especially the last few seasons with COVID-19-related concerns and postponements abound -- one of the very few constants, night after night, has been the consistent effort of Kessel, who began his active games streak way back on November 3, 2009. And while his production has tailed off through the years, the veteran right wing managed to author eight goals and 52 points last season for the rebuilding Arizona Coyotes, who had to take on large, expiring contracts just to get to the salary-cap floor. A 2006 first-round pick of the Boston Bruins, who took him No. 5 overall, Kessel has scored at least 20 goals in 12 of his last 14 seasons. His average time on ice dipped last season to 16:40 as the Coyotes continued to promote prospects from their American Hockey League affiliate, but Kessel can still score, can still get into the tough corners to battle for loose pucks, and as one of the more animated players in the game, he usually does all of this with a smile on his face. The Golden Knights, now coached by Bruce Cassidy after he was fired by the Bruins in the offseason, have acquired a right-handed shot in Kessel, who could garner minutes on one of their top two lines and potentially be a key cog in front of the net on the power play. A Wisconsin native, Kessel played for Team USA in two Olympic Games, and three World Championships. In addition to the Coyotes and Bruins, he's also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegx.ca Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 For 1.5M I'd rather have Statsny who went to Carolina...Kessel is out of shape and a liability in my opinion...kinda like Jagr in Calgary but worse since at least Jagr is a legend worth having even at the end of his career just for his star power alone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 I dont hate this for Vegas, on the cheap, he still scored 52 points for a very inept Arizona franchise last year. As a third line winger who can still score especially on the power play for that kind of money he is a very nice add. He was brought in not to replace Pacioretty who was a cap casualty but Janmark who left for Edmonton. Kessel a much better offensive weapon which Vegas desperately needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHL HHOF Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Kessel signs one-year, $1.5 million contract with Golden Knights 34-year-old forward had 52 points last season, has played 982 consecutive games https://www.nhl.com/news/phil-kessel-signs-one-year-contract-with-golden-knights/c-334777454?tid=281072352 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted August 25, 2022 Author Share Posted August 25, 2022 9 hours ago, yave1964 said: I dont hate this for Vegas, on the cheap, he still scored 52 points for a very inept Arizona franchise last year. As a third line winger who can still score especially on the power play for that kind of money he is a very nice add. He was brought in not to replace Pacioretty who was a cap casualty but Janmark who left for Edmonton. Kessel a much better offensive weapon which Vegas desperately needs. 100% agree, and i'm sure cassidy will use kessel's speed, which imo he still has to get the most out of him, and he'll be fired up to play for them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR Ewing Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 I'm a little surprised that Vegas went this way. Laurent Brossoit's health is up in the air heading into camp, and Logan Thompson looks promising, but has only started 17 NHL games. That's a lot of pressure for a guy in his position, so I thought they would look for some sort of cheap mid-level veteran. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHL HHOF Posted September 21, 2022 Share Posted September 21, 2022 IRON MAN STREAK 01. 989 - Keith Yandle (March 26, 2009-March 29, 2022) 02. 982 - Phil Kessel (November 3, 2009-Present) Phil Kessel will become the new # 1 IRON MAN this season. 8 more games, and hopefully he'll make it to 1000. Vegas for the Cup this season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHL HHOF Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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