No joke: Kessel finds footing with Knights
The wide smile Phil Kessel wore during the Golden Knights’ two-a-day training camp practices seemed to tell a story.
The veteran right wing has often said since signing with his new team Aug. 24 that he thought he got lost the previous three seasons in Arizona. He wasn’t held in the same regard. He was written off. At least as much as someone with 956 career points and two Stanley Cups can be.
Kessel is out to put himself back on the map with the Knights, and it looks as if he’s ready to enjoy himself doing so. The 35-year-old is coming off the lowest goal-scoring output of his 16year career, but he believes he still has plenty to offer.
The team is counting on it.
“I think I fit in well here,” Kessel said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Kessel’s accomplishments speak for themselves.
He ranks 11th all time in scoring among Americans. His 399 goals are the 13th-most by an active player. His consecutive games streak of 982 is seven off the all-time NHL record.
That doesn’t even take into account his playoff accomplishments. Kessel had 18 goals and 45 points in 49 postseason games in 2016 and 2017 to help the Pittsburgh Penguins win two straight Stanley Cups.
He’s also a legendary character. Former coach Rick Tocchet said Kessel once challenged him to a chin-up contest before Game 7 of a playoff series. He keeps things loose.
“I’m lucky I get to sit next to him in the locker room and hear him talk every day,” center Jack Eichel said. “He keeps me and (stallmate Mark Stone) entertained.”
Despite all he’s done, Kessel still wants to contribute to a winning team again after three difficult seasons in Arizona.
He will have to show he’s still the offensive force he’s been for most of his career to do so. He scored only eight goals last season with the Coyotes while tallying a team-high 44 assists. His 4.6 shooting percentage was his lowest and well off his career mark of 10.8 percent.
The Knights are putting Kessel in a position to succeed. He was on Eichel’s wing to begin training camp to form what could be a dynamic onetwo punch. Kessel should get plenty of scoring chances if he stays there.
It will be on him to take advantage and show he can finish better than he did last season in Arizona.
“Obviously, that’s not who I am,” Kessel said. “I want to prove I still have a lot in me.”