Phil Kessel considering a move to Switzerland

When you think of Phil Kessel, you think of two things.

The first is hot dogs.

The second: his streak of consecutive games without being sidelined by his NHL team.

This sequence is more than impressive, as Kessel is currently at 1,064 consecutive games without having watched a game from the sidelines.

The streak includes injuries and healthy scratches . The fact that he’s not currently under contract doesn’t affect his streak.

In fact, his streak could have ended because of Jonathan Marchessault.

The Quebecer often played with Kessel and teased each other about who would win the fight. And in a bid to scare the other by moving his head quickly towards the other, the two hit their heads solidly, causing Marchessault’s to bleed.

It takes more than that for Kessel to halt his run of consecutive games played.

With previous seasons more than respectable (36 points and 52 points in his last two seasons), I find it almost bizarre that no NHL team, even at minimum wage, has offered the American a contract.

While waiting for an NHL club to give him a call, Kessel can only think of one thing: playing hockey.

As he already said this summer, his sequence doesn’t matter, he just wants to play.

The door isn’t quite closed on a return to the NHL, but the renowned Pierre LeBrun mentioned that Kessel would evaluate the possibility of playing in Switzerland.

It would allow him to stay in shape, and he could attract the attention of some NHL GMs looking for attacking depth.

As LeBrun points out in the above tweet, nothing has been decided yet, but it will be a subject to follow.

Kessel has 992 career NHL points.

I can’t believe that a player who has scored almost 0.5 points per game in the NHL, and who is only eight short points away from reaching the prestigious 1,000-point plateau in the NHL, still doesn’t have a contract.

Kessel has proven throughout his career that he’s much fitter than he looks, and despite his 36 years, he could certainly help a team.

Kessel doesn’t absolutely want to continue his streak, and he doesn’t necessarily want to win another Stanley Cup, he just wants to play.

He’s not asking for a big contract either; he’s likely to get the league minimum of $750,000 US per season.

I don’t see why a team like the Chicago Blackhawks, or indeed any contender with space under the salary cap, wouldn’t take a chance on Phil The Thrill.

He’s cheap, he brings experience and a positive attitude to the dressing room.

Many Internet users and some experts, like Mark Lazerus, believe that Chicago would be a good destination for Kessel.

Do you think Phil Kessel will be lucky enough to reach the 1,000-point plateau in his career?

In gusto

– Here’s the Rocket line-up for tonight.

– Listen now.

Is Jesse Ylönen given a shorter leash than the others? @ArponBasu and @MAGodin look at him and another young player, Jayden Struble, and compare how their limited ice time is managed.
Plus notes on Josh Anderson and Owen Beck
https://t.co/8IkhsLs8XD
https://t.co/RDVXWfIRZl

– The Basu & Godin Notebook (@BasuAndGodin) December 16, 2023

– Does Blueger deserve a penalty on the game for this gesture?

Love this from Teddy Blueger

: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/ANGkCTXXis

– CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) December 16, 2023

– Read more.

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– What a save!

NICOLE HENSLEY… OH MY GOODNESS #RivalrySeries pic.twitter.com/yqA94hgACr

– USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 16, 2023