Phil Kessel Has Shaky First Skate With Abbotsford

Future Hall of Fame winger Phil Kessel skated with the Abbotsford Canucks for the first time today.

Future Hall of Fame winger Phil Kessel skated with the Abbotsford Canucks for the first time today.

Yesterday the Canucks announced that Kessel would skate with Abbotsford for some time. While no contractual news came out, there is an expectation that after he gets back into game shape, the Canucks will sign the winger.

Kessel hasn't played a game since April 24th, 2023, against the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the playoffs with the Vegas Golden Knights. His time off showed today.

While seeing him on the ice is encouraging, it could be some time before he gets to the NHL. Given how long it might take to get a 36-year-old into game shape after not playing in a competitive hockey environment for ten months, Kessel could be subject to a PTO in the AHL before signing an NHL contract with the Canucks.

Other Vancouver Canucks media noticed his struggles on the ice.

Given the state of the Canucks there should be no rush to get him into the NHL. The Canucks sit in first place in the Pacific Division and likely would have Kessel play in a fourth-line role.

It is early in the process, but Kessel's first skate didn't exude confidence visually.

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