Phil Kessel: Even "healthy scratch" helps Golden Knights

Phil Kessel played in all his team’s games (82) during the 2022-2023 season. He finished the campaign with 14 goals and 22 assists, for a total of 36 points.

At 35, the NHL’s iron man is starting to slow down. It was inevitable, we agree, and his statistics are proof of that.

Note that in the playoffs, the veteran has played only four games so far, all against the Winnipeg Jets in the first round. That’s not to say he’s not getting the job done, however. Bruce Cassidy simply has better things on his hands.

At his age, that’s not necessarily an easy situation to accept. But it seems that he’s behaving like a true leader in spite of it all.

Jonathan Marchessault, Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, among others, have all spoken of his involvement even when Kessel isn’t with the rest of the group on the ice for the team’s games, and the observation is clear.

Even when he’s not playing, Kessel is a big help to the Golden Knights. What, you ask?

Well, it’s mostly by clowning around in the dressing room, lightening the mood on the plane when the club has to travel, or by constantly having a huge smile on his face that he’s able to calm his teammates down.

Then again, Kessel might be angry about his situation, and he could very well act like a baboon. But let’s not forget that Kessel won two Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh and knows what it takes to win that trophy.

Heading toward an 18th consecutive healthy scratch, Phil Kessel’s impact on the Vegas Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup run may have come in the locker room, on chartered flights and at practice, but it cannot be overstated.(@lukefoxjukebox) https://t.co/oXctXT0zE8

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 12, 2023

It’s often said that in the playoffs, it’s important to have veterans with playoff experience.

Kessel is a case in point.

The Golden Knights players jumped on the ice for an early morning workout earlier today, and invited their fans along for the ride.

The result?

The arena was practically full, suggesting that playoff fever has well and truly taken hold of the team’s fans. At first, we wondered if field hockey in Vegas would work…

And now, the team will have the opportunity to win its very first Stanley Cup tomorrow night, at home.

A feat no one would have believed possible on this date seven years ago.

Last regular practice of the season for the @GoldenKnights and their fans? #rds pic.twitter.com/od8hw6yqBU

– Luc Gelinas (@LucGelinasRDS) June 12, 2023

In gusto

– I love confidence.

.@drosennhl asked Alec Martinez what he would’ve said if he told him at the beginning of the season he’d be 1 win away from the Stanley Cup with Adin Hill as the starting goalie.

“I’d say hell yeah!”

– Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) June 12, 2023

– Nice message.

So many tough announcements about jobs lost. There’s a ton of great broadcast, online and written field hockey coverage – whether you prefer breaking news, narrative or analytics. I hate these layoffs, because they hurt that coverage. I’ve been there before. Bet on yourself, always.

– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 12, 2023

– It’s, how can I put this… Quite peculiar.

In early May, my colleague Dominick Gravel and I attended a cricket practice in Montreal. Dominick enjoyed it so much that he went back to Verdun to take photos during a match. His report is here 👇🏻 https://t.co/1TFuaTiWBC

– Alexandre Pratt (@alexandrepratt) June 12, 2023

– To be continued.

As expected, Fred VanVleet declined to exercise the player option in the final year of his contract (2023-2024) with the Raptors, worth $22.8 million.

He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

(via @wojespn) pic.twitter.com/xgTLKgUt2W

– AlleyOop360 (@AlleyOop360) June 12, 2023