Phil Kessel Opens Up About His Desire To Play This Year

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Dawson Mckenzie
November 2, 2023 (10:56)

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Phil Kessel just opened up in an interview and discussed his desire to continue his NHL career, no matter where that happens to be.

Kessel Discusses Contract Negotiations in Recent Interview

Phil Kessel is unfortunately still sitting at home in Arizona, waiting patiently for the phone to ring to find out where he will be playing this year. Kessel, having just turned 36, still wants to continue his NHL career, and is stuck waiting for a contract.

In an interview with the Athletic, Kessel opened up about how he is staying ready for when the phone does ring, and that he thinks he has a lot to contribute to any team in the NHL.

«Yes, I love to play and I've always loved to play.

I'm staying ready.

I've been skating. In the next week, I'm going to work with a skating guy here. We're going to do individual sessions to stay ready.

Obviously, I'm a little surprised I haven't got anything yet, but it is what it is, right?

I know I can still play and can still help. For the minutes I played last year, I thought my numbers were pretty solid, right? So I know I can help a team and contribute to a team which needs scoring.

I think I can play pretty much up and down a lineup, because I've done it for a long time.

I'm willing to kind of go wherever

Because I want to play. I love to play. I feel like I can help any team. I think my resume kind of speaks to that, right?»

Kessel is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. His scoring ability hasn't gone anywhere, either, putting up 14 goals and 22 assists last season. If a team can make the cap situation work, he would be a beneficial addition.

Kessel Just Shy of Major Milestone in the NHL

Kessel is just 8 points shy of reaching the 1,000-point marker, a major milestone for any NHL player. While it isn't the only thing pushing his desire to play, it's likely a main contributor to his hopes to continue his NHL career.

NHL Milestones
1000 points

99. Kessel: 992 pts.
100. Kariya : 989 pts
101. Middleton : 988 pts.
102. Keon : 986 pts.
103. Tavares : 986 pts.

As seen on Markerzone - "Phil Kessel Breaks the Silence on His Return to the NHL"