Reports are surfacing that the Vancouver Canucks have kept tabs on Phil Kessel and could sign him.

Reports are surfacing that the Vancouver Canucks have kept tabs on Phil Kessel and could sign him.

Kessel has a history with many of the Canucks front office and coaching staff. He played for Rick Tocchet with the Arizona Coyotes and won Stanley Cups with Jim Rutherford with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Rick Dhaliwal reports that there is mutual interest on both sides. He reports that they keep in contact with Kessel's agent. 

Kessel's conditioning is a concern for the Canucks. Dhaliwal talks about how Tocchet got the entire team in shape. The Canucks play a fast-paced style of offense that requires a lot of conditioning. While Kessel likely has the footspeed to keep up in a depth role, playing a full game could be challenging, at least if/when he is first signed.

He only played in four games for the Vegas Golden Knights during their run to the Stanley Cup last season.

The Canucks look to be loading up for a massive cup run, especially after acquiring Elias Lindholm.

Although still technically alive, Kessel's Iron Man streak might end if he signs with Vancouver. One way to keep it intact is to follow a route similar to Jesse Puljujärvi's. 

Puljujärvi signed a PTO with the Pittsburgh Penguins and played in the AHL before recently signing a two-year NHL contract.

Although unlikely, if the Canucks and Kessel go with this route, it would allow Kessel to learn the systems and get in shape. 

The decision on Kessel should come soon to give him time to figure out a role within the organization. 

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