LATEST | Important development regarding Phil Kessel: An announcement is imminent

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Felip Gosselin
March 3, 2024 (3:51 PM)

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Phil Kessel has been within the Canucks' organization for the last three weeks. Ever since the Canucks announced that he'd be spending the next little while training with the team, there's been no formal update or progression from the organization itself.

Rick Dhaliwal and Thomas Drance came up huge in this regard and confirmed what the timeline for the Kessel situation looked like. As it was stated before, both the Canucks and the Kessel party would like to get a deal done.

However, the way the Canucks are playing their card, it seems as if they want the veteran to be a last resort since, if they sign him, they'll be signing him at the very last moment on the NHL's deadline of March 8th.

Both sides want a Kessel signing to take place, but the Canucks are taking their time here. We were told as of this morning that the team still hasn't decided on signing him yet.

Time is getting a bit short here. The club has to make their decision soon. Kessel must be sign before to the trade deadline if he's going to maintain his eligibility to compete for the team in the Stanley Cup playoffs. One way or another, situations will come to a head in the next week.

One thing to watch out for is the team signing Kessel on the trade deadline day. After the deadline passes on March 8e NHL's roster rules shiAfter thatfter, teams are limit just four ordinary call-ups between the deadline and the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs (exceptions exist for loans under emergency conditions).

It'll be interesting to see if the Canucks to add Kessel, how they'll be fitting him into their roster. Known fo this offensive skills, Kessel would probably be slotted onto the Canucks' second powerplay unit, but significant doubt arises regarding is ability to keep up at 5-on-5.

SOURCE: The Athletic