Report: Phil Kessel & Canucks Hope To End Experiment With A Contract

The Vancouver Canucks have had Phil Kessel working out in the AHL before deciding to sign him or not. Based on reports, both sides want this experiment to end with an NHL contract.

The Vancouver Canucks have had Phil Kessel working out in the AHL before deciding to sign him or not. Based on reports, both sides want this experiment to end with an NHL contract.

According to Rick Dhaliwal of Donnie & Dhali, there have been nothing but positives regarding Phil Kessel's progression. 

"All sides want this to end with a signing," Dhaliwal said. "The goal was always to sign Kessel. I think that's where it's trending."

With a contract looking inevitable at this point, a significant time frame needs to be met for Kessel to play in the postseason. For that to happen, he must sign before the March 8 trade deadline.

Dhaliwal continued to say that if Kessel signs with the Canucks, his contract would be an NHL deal, not an AHL contract or PTO.

"He's not going to start in Abbotsford from what I am told," Dhaliwal said. "It is going to be a sign with a Canucks, if it happens, that is the way it is trending, and then possibly a conditioning assignment in Abbotsford after a signing."

Late-season signings of veteran players are not unheard of. Zach Parise signed with the Colorado Avalanche this season to help bolster their winger depth and give him a chance to win the Stanley Cup.

In January 2020, the Carolina Hurricanes signed Justin Williams for the playoffs. Williams had announced his retirement and was the team captain in the 2018-19 season.

Williams averaged 17:26 TOI during the 18-19 season, but in the 20 games he played in 2020, he only averaged 13:36.

With the Canucks spreading out their centers by moving Elias Lindholm to the third line, there is room for Kessel to come in and play as a bottom-six forward.

Kessel will be a cheap signing, as his cap hit will not be high. The Canucks coaching staff and front office are familiar with him as a person and likely feel that he will gel with the team nicely.

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