'Pһіl Tһe Tһrіll Is Stіll Oрen To Comіng Bасk': Former Mарle Leаfs Forwаrd Pһіl Kessel Remаіns Oрen to Return to NHL

Kessel didn't play in the 2023-24 season, after winning the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights the season prior.

Phil Kessel still isn't ready to call it quits on his NHL career.

The 36-year-old forward, who's won three Stanley Cups, with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vegas Golden Knights, didn't play last season but wants to make a return, and is even willing to end his Ironman streak.

According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun on Insider Trading on Tuesday, the veteran forward is interested in signing a professional tryout, if that means getting a chance back in the NHL.

"Speaking of guys on the sidelines, not ready to retire yet, how about Phil Kessel? We mentioned him a few times last year. He didn't play in the NHL. He wanted to. He is willing, still, to try and help an NHL team. He's willing to sign a PTO (professional tryout) if the fit is right," LeBrun said. 

"And one of the things that his camp has alerted teams that have called about him is that, 'Don't worry about that Ironman streak.' It's not going to be an issue. He's open to a part-time role, not playing every game. And that's a pretty key departure from the past. So the bottom line is: Phil The Thrill is still open to coming back, if the fit is right."

Kessel played six seasons for the Maple Leafs, from 20019 to 2015. He appeared in 446 games with the club, scoring 181 goals and 213 assists for 394 points. The forward had 30 or more goals in four of the six years with the organization.

Kessel signed an eight-year, $64 million contract with the Maple Leafs in Oct. 2013. He was traded from the team nearly two years later to the Penguins in exchange for forwards Nick Spaling, Kasperi Kapanen, defenseman Scott Harrington, and first and third-round picks in the 2016 NHL Draft. 

Toronto also retained $1.2 million of Kessel’s salary for the remainder of his deal, which ended in 2020.