Phil Kessel will never wear a Vancouver Canucks jersey.
The Vancouver Canucks didn’t want to part with any of their top players in order to add a key piece at the trade deadline. But they weren’t even willing to add more works without any capital cost.
Phil Kessel flew into Vancouver a little less than a month ago and has been skating for the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks ever since. The Canucks were expected to sign the veteran winger to a league-minimum one-year deal at the trade deadline in order to earn a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Instead, the deadline passed without a contract for Kessel, just as there was no trade with the Canucks. They decided not to make any changes to the roster.
The three-time Stanley Cup champion was looking for another kick, but the Canucks appeared to represent his best shot. He had many past acquaintances with Jim Rutherford, Patrick Alvin, and Rick Tocchet from their days with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The question for Kessel was about fitness in two different senses. He hasn’t played a game in 8 months, how is his condition? Can he get back to NHL pace?
Another question regarding fitness was where he would fit in the lineup. He’s not the elite top-six winger he once was, so his most likely landing spot would be on the fourth line as a power-play specialist. But Kessel would have been the odd man out for a team looking for a strong forecheck, physical, two-way identity for their fourth line.
But Kessel’s other role will be as injury insurance. If a top-six forward is eliminated in the playoffs, having the calm, experienced Kessel in the lineup in place of an untested young player would provide some security.
Either way, it’s debatable: Kessel is not a member of the Vancouver Canucks.
