Phil Kessel: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Phil “The Thrill” Kessel, the 17-year NHL veteran known for his over 400 career goals and two Stanley Cup wins, is turning the page on his hockey career and stepping into a new arena—the world of professional poker.

NHL News / Maple Leafs Daily / October 10

Ex-Maple Leafs Forward Phil Kessel Announces a Wild and Unexpected Career Change

Iron man and former Maple Leafs winger Phil Kessel has found it hard to find a new gig in the NHL, which has led to a substantial and unexpected career change.

Vegas Golden Knights News / Dose.ca / October 10

Phil Kessel puts hockey aside to become a professional poker player

Phil Kessel’s last NHL game was on April 24, 2022. He still wants to make a comeback, but was unable to do so last season after receiving an invitation from the Canucks.

Phil Kessel News / Blade of Steel / October 9

Beloved NHL veteran Phil Kessel signs surprising new deal outside the NHL

Phil Kessel still wants to return to the NHL, but in the meantime, he's got other ventures going on, announcing a surprise new deal in recent times. Over the past 18 months, many fans have waited desperately for Phil Kessel to return to the NHL, and even as late as this summer, he made it clear that he will do what it takes to make a return.

Phil Kessel News / Hockey Unplugged / October 9

Phil Kessel signs new deal outside of the NHL

Phil Kessel has been trying to get himself back into the National Hockey League this summer and hasn't had all that much luck. Kessel is an older guy and when you are an older player, your fitness matters a whole lot more than it does when you are younger.

Vegas Golden Knights News / NHL on ClutchPoints / September 26

Will Phil Kessel play in the NHL again amid retirement buzz?

With the National Hockey League’s exhibition schedule now in full swing, several unsigned free agents are still hoping to secure deals for the 2024-25 season.

Phil Kessel News / NHL Trade Talk / September 25

Kessel Hoping for NHL Preseason Opportunity, Teams Still Unsure

Phil Kessel hasn’t played an NHL game since April 24, 2023, when he suited up for the Vegas Golden Knights in the regular season. While the winger played all 82 games that year, he was scratched for several playoff games during Vegas’ Stanley Cup run.

NHL News / Last Word On Sports / September 25

NHL Rumours: Veteran Player Looking for Another Opportunity

It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re a week into training camps, but there’s plenty to talk about on the hot stove. Teams are working on their rosters, but other players are looking for an opportunity to latch onto an NHL roster.

Vegas Golden Knights News / The Hockey Writers / September 18

3 Teams Who Could Sign Phil Kessel to a PTO

The NHL season is rapidly approaching, and training camps are finally underway. With the 2024-25 hockey season inching closer, there are still some strong players sitting in free agency who haven’t been granted a professional tryout (PTO) or a contract.

NHL News / TheLeafsnation / September 17

Around the NHL: Crosby, Raymond re-sign, JVR lands in Columbus, Kessel wants to play

After what felt like a very short offseason there’s NHL hockey being played this week. Charity golf tournaments help kick off training camps, informal skates are quickly turning into formal skates, and the preseason schedule is set to open Sep.21.

Vegas Golden Knights News / Hockey Unplugged / September 16

Phil Kessel may have just had a breakthrough in his NHL comeback hopes

Phil Kessel was last on the ice during the 2023 playoffs when the Las Vegas Golden Knights went on a deep run to win the Stanley Cup. Although he did not play in the final rounds, he was able to secure his third Stanley Cup ring.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / September 16

Penguins Should Not Sign Phil Kessel to a PTO

Over the last few weeks, many players have received invites to training camps via player tryout (PTO), allowing them to earn a contract and permanent roster spot on said team.

Vegas Golden Knights News / NHL Trade Talk / September 15

Why Phil Kessel Still Wants to Play in the NHL

Phil Kessel, ex-Toronto Maple Leafs player, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, and one of the most prolific players in recent NHL history, continues to express his desire to play hockey.

Vegas Golden Knights News / TheLeafsnation / September 14

Report: Former Leaf Phil Kessel is calling teams: ‘He wants to play’

Once a highly appreciated but equally scrutinized weapon on a Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs team that realistically never should have been expected to compete for anything, now a three-time (yes, three-time) Stanley Cup champion with two different teams, Phil Kessel isn’t ready to hang them up yet.

Vegas Golden Knights News / Oilersnation / October 12

NHL Notebook: After 3-on-3 pro league falls apart, Phil Kessel wants to keep playing hockey

The fact that Phil Kessel hasn’t played in a professional hockey game since April 2023 isn’t stopping the NHL’s Ironman from getting back in the game.

Vegas Golden Knights News / Hockey Unplugged / September 13

Phil Kessel delivers major update on his hockey career

Phil Kessel is a player who has always had a natural knack for goal-scoring. During his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins, he was absolutely phenomenal.

Vegas Golden Knights News / Pro Hockey Rumors / September 13

Three-time NHL champion still hoping to play in 2024-25

He is a three-time All-Star Game participant and a three-time Stanley Cup champion but was out of the NHL last season after playing with the Golden Knights in 2022-23.

Oilers forward to undergo surgery

Top prospect Matvei Michkov shines in Flyers' rookie game vs. Rangers

Former NHL winger lands front-office role with Flyers

Islanders sign veteran winger to PTO

Top Blackhawks prospect could miss start of regular season with injury

Vegas Golden Knights News / Dose.ca / September 13

No professional trial contract for Phil Kessel: unacceptable, says Paul Bissonnette

Phil Kessel has already had quite a career in the NHL. With 992 points in 1,286 games and two Stanley Cup victories to his credit, he should have no trouble securing at least one professional tryout contract.

Vegas Golden Knights News / Pro Hockey Rumors / January 31

Three-time Stanley Cup winner still hopes to play this season

Free-agent winger Phil Kessel still intends to sign with a team before the March 8 trade deadline.

Blue Jackets rookie out eight weeks

Flames reportedly have trade arrangement with Jacob Markstrom

Hurricanes GM provides injury update on Frederik Andersen

Canucks sign GM to multiyear extension

Biggest storylines to watch in February: Could a coaching change fix Kings?

Vegas Golden Knights News / Yardbarker / June 14, 2023

Phil Kessel takes shot at Toronto media after third Stanley Cup win

Vegas Golden Knights forward Phil Kessel lifted the Stanley Cup for the third time in his career on Tuesday night and had a reminder for those who had doubted him earlier in his career.

Could Phil Kessel Be a Valuable Addition to the Maple Leafs?

Expansion draft blunder may cost Panthers a Stanley Cup

The best Stanley Cup Final games of all time

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

Vegas Golden Knights News / Yardbarker / April 28, 2023

Kessel misses first game since 2009, Golden Knights eliminate Jets

Phil Kessel misses first game since 2009, Golden Knights still eliminate Jets

The Vegas Golden Knights eliminated the Winnipeg Jets from the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday night with a 4-1 win. That was just one of the two big stories from that game.

Leafs' struggles in series-clinching games continue in loss to Lightning

Devils grab 3-2 series edge vs. Rangers

Joe Pavelski practices and will travel with Dallas Stars

Multiple Flames players reportedly will leave if Darryl Sutter returns

10 restricted free agents to watch in 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs

Vegas Golden Knights News / Yardbarker / October 25, 2022