MAJOR: Phil Kessel Linked to His Former Team Ahead of the Trade Deadline
Phil Kessel, the NHLs all-time Iron Man, is currently a free agent without a team. Bleacher Report has sparked discussions by naming the top five teams that could be a good fit for him, as the trade deadline approaches.
Bleacher Report highlights the top 5 destinations for Phil Kessel. Which team do you hope to see him join? 👀
Read the full story here: https://t.co/x3bAgIHXGK pic.twitter.com/Iqq4kiIl93— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 12, 2024
Phil Kessel On His Way Back to the Pittsburgh Penguins?
There's increased focus on Kessel, who played a crucial role for the Golden Knights in reaching the playoffs last season. Despite playing less in the playoffs, his experience and locker room presence could be a game-changer. After all, there aren't too many 3-time cup winners available on the market.
The Penguins, a team Kessel has won two of those Stanley Cups with, could benefit from his return.
His experience could be particularly useful for improving their performance, especially in a third-line role where he could significantly contribute to scoring. With Nick Bonino equally being a free agent after his buyout earlier this month, could the Penguins re-assemble two thirds of the famed HBK line?
Financially, signing Kessel at the league's minimum salary could be a wise decision for the Penguins, as their salary cap situation is far from ideal.
Is Kessel back in Pittsburgh a match made in heaven?
| POLL | ||
FÉVRIER 13 | 124 ANSWERS MAJOR: Phil Kessel Linked to His Former Team Ahead of the Trade Deadline Do you think Kessel will make the hall of fame? | ||
| Yes | 76 | 61.3 % |
| No | 48 | 38.7 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Zachary Werenski | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Sean Monahan | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jesper Bratt | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jack Hughes | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Kent Johnson | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alexander Wennberg | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Mitchell Chaffee | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Coronato | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Marcus Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nick Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Conor Geekie | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Stefan Noesen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Corey Perry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Igor Sharangovich | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dmitry Voronkov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Hurricanes | 18 | 14 | 4 | - | 28 | |
Capitals | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 27 | |
Wild | 18 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 27 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Devils | 21 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
Stars | 18 | 12 | 6 | - | 24 | |
Golden Knights | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 24 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||