The NHL.com writers project the 24-year-old could be paired with new defenceman Ian Cole this season.
Yesterday, we began our countdown to training camp with a preview of what the lineups could be for the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural season.
There are plenty of young, talented players on this team, and a competitive prospect pool underneath it, which should make for an interesting camp for all to watch.
There are also plenty of key returning pieces, including 24-year-old defenceman Michael Kesselring, who was signed to a two-year extension on June 28.
The NHL.com prediction has Kesselring on the third defence pairing with new signee Ian Cole, the latter being a two-time, back-to-back Stanley Cup champion; KSL Sports insider Cole Bagley called the pairing "a lot of sense in terms of development and a versatile third line".
There's no reason for the optimism, either; the South Carolina native had 21 points in 65 games, including 16 assists and two game-winning goals.
Maybe that's the reason why KSL Sports insider Jay Stevens had Kesselring on the most recent episode of Utah Puck Report:
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlBc3UeJMXw[/embed]
If Kesselring is paired up with Cole or able to learn from him this season, it could prove to be the springboard that Bill Armstrong needed for the young blue-liner.
Kesselring was traded to Utah from Edmonton for a third-round pick in 2023 after the Oilers originally drafted him in 2018. He has 24 total points in his 74 games played in the league, and you can expect him to play close to a full 82-game slate this season.