The Golden Knights announced late Wednesday they had signed the 34-year-old to a one-year deal at $1.5 million.
Winning is what makes Phil Kessel his best. During his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins he won a pair of Stanley Cups and was arguably the team's best playoff performer in at least one of those runs. Kessel had 22 and 23 points respectively in back-to-back Cup tournaments and was right there with the likes of Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin when discussing the club's best players in those Stanley Cup seasons.
Kessel's production dipped in his first of three seasons in Arizona but rebounded the last two years despite the club floundering around him.
Eight goals and 44 assists in a 25-win season last winter had teams kicking tires at the trade deadline for his services but a deal was never reached and Kessel played out the string in Arizona to earn unrestricted free agent status.
Wednesday's signing puts him in a dressing room with Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo to name a few. He'll have a chance to play in the top nine surrounded by top end players and his playmaking ability will make him valuable on the power play.
Kessel isn't an ordinary veteran and ranks in the top 10 in the NHL in goals and points since joining the league in 2006-07. In 1204 career games he's scored 339 goals and 956 points.
Kessel has proven to be a motivated player on winning teams and few love playing the game more than him.
Teammates love him and he remains an elite playmaker. He adds an element of creativity Vegas currently doesn't have and can create offense in an instant. As a complimentary player, Kessel brings a lot to the table which Golden Knights fans should be excited about.
