The 2023-24 NHL season has already started and veteran winger Phil Kessel remains unsigned. At 36 years old, the former USA Hockey National Team Development Program product believes he still has what it takes to play in the league.
Kessel is hoping to suit up for his 18th NHL season and admits he is a bit surprised that teams have not been calling when he spoke to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
“Obviously, I’m a little surprised I haven’t got anything yet, but it is what it is, right?” Kessel stated.
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Kessel just wants to play hockey
Kessel won his third Stanley Cup last season as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights. He agreed to a one-season deal worth $1.5 million, something that also allowed him to continue his ironman streak to 1,064 games.
But with no new deal coming his way, the threat of seeing that streak end is a possibility. Regardless, it is something that Kessel is hardly worried about. He made this clear and also stressed that he is willing to sign with any team, TSN reported.
"I don't care," Kessel said on the Ironman streak possibly being snapped. "I think people think I care about that. I've never cared about that. I've always been a guy that feels he should be in the lineup, and if I can play, I'll play."
Last season with the Golden Knights, Kessell amassed 14 goals and 36 points in 82 games. He appeared in only four postseason games in the team’s Stanley Cup run.
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