Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel is actively seeking a new NHL contract, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.
Kessel last played during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, where he was part of the Vegas Golden Knights’ championship-winning team. Although he attempted to secure a contract with the Vancouver Canucks last season, he was unsuccessful.
As NHL training camps are about to begin, Friedman mentioned on his ’32 Thoughts’ podcast that Kessel has been reaching out to teams in hopes of securing a contract.
“He wants to play. Paul Bissonette tweeted this week, questioning why Kessel hasn’t found a team. I looked into it, and I had heard that Kessel was making calls to teams because he genuinely wants to play. A couple of people confirmed this for me,” Friedman said on the podcast.
“He’s serious about it. There was also talk of him joining that three-on-three league that didn’t end up happening. Kessel loves hockey and is eager to continue playing. Whether it works out or not remains to be seen, but it’s clear he’s making an effort,” Friedman added.
Kessel, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, could provide valuable depth as a middle-six forward, but Friedman remains unsure whether any team will offer him a contract.
Insider Connects Kessel to Blue Jackets
After revealing Kessel’s efforts to secure a contract, Friedman discussed on the September 16 episode of ’32 Thoughts’ that the Columbus Blue Jackets had expressed interest in the veteran.
“Honestly, Kyle, I was curious if there was a chance Kessel might land with the Blue Jackets. Columbus is taking this season seriously after last year’s disappointment,” Friedman explained.
“They want to improve, and Kessel has a reputation for lightening the mood and bringing positive energy,” Friedman added.
However, Columbus later signed James van Riemsdyk to a one-year, $900,000 contract. Whether this signing rules out the Blue Jackets from pursuing Kessel is yet to be determined.
Maple Leafs GM Open to More Moves
Toronto is set to open its training camp on September 18 for the 2024-25 NHL season. While much of the Maple Leafs’ roster is finalized, general manager Brad Treliving hinted at possible additional moves.
“We’ve got about five weeks until camp starts, and we’re still not set,” Treliving said on TSN 1050’s “OverDrive.” “We’re always looking for ways to improve the team.”
He continued, “Sometimes people push for big changes just for the sake of it, but if the changes don’t improve the team, there’s no point in making them.”
Toronto begins its 2024-25 NHL season on October 9, facing the Montreal Canadiens on the road.