The First Glimpse Of Phil Kessel With The Canucks Affiliate Team

And just like that, on Wednesday, Kessel was already lacing up his skates with his new squad, getting in some practice time with the Canucks' farm team. Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal gave fans a sneak peek with a post on X (formerly Twitter), sharing the exciting development.

Kessel has been out of action since completing a full 82-game season with the Vegas Golden Knights last year, where he tallied 14 goals and 22 assists. Although he only saw action in four playoff games, Kessel celebrated his third Stanley Cup win as the Knights clinched their first-ever championship.

Drafted fifth overall by the Boston Bruins in 2006, Kessel boasts an impressive career spanning stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes, and Golden Knights, racking up a total of 413 goals and 579 assists over 1,286 games.

Joining the Canucks not only offers Kessel a shot at a fourth Stanley Cup but also reunites him with former coach Rick Tocchet. The two previously teamed up during Kessel's tenure with the Arizona Coyotes, following a stint together in Pittsburgh.

The Canucks have been making waves in the league, bolstering their lineup for a potential deep Stanley Cup run. After snagging defenseman Nikita Zadorov in a trade with the Calgary Flames, they made headlines again by acquiring forward Elias Lindholm in a blockbuster deal.

With Kessel now in the mix, the Canucks gain added depth to their winger core and invaluable playoff experience, setting the stage for an exciting journey towards the coveted Cup.

Source: Hockeyfeed