The Edmonton oilers are linked to Phil The Thrill

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Ryan Hall
September 4, 2023 (2:43)

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Depth talent is crucial for any NHL team aiming for a successful season and a deep playoff run en route to the Stanley Cup. NHL general managers face the daunting task of assembling a team that strikes the right balance between scoring, depth scoring, toughness, and defence to complete their rosters and compete effectively with other clubs.

As the professional tryout (PTO) season continues, the Oilers have secured Brandon Sutter on a PTO deal to evaluate his suitability for an NHL return. There are still several unrestricted free agents available in the market who could provide short-term assistance to the Oilers. One such player is winger, Phil Kessel.

Kessel has played for five NHL organizations during his career. He was initially drafted by the Boston Bruins as the fifth overall pick in the first round in 2006. His journey included stops with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes, and the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights.

Kessel boasts three NHL championship rings from his time with Pittsburgh and Vegas.

The Iron Man, who has participated in 1286 career NHL games, has notched 413 goals and 579 assists, accumulating 992 points. He has also contributed 333 power-play points and scored 119 power-play goals.
These statistics make a strong case for the Oilers to consider acquiring him as a depth player for their bottom six lines or to bolster their power play, given his continued exceptional shooting ability.

While Kessel's once-legendary foot speed has diminished with age, he still possesses qualities that could benefit the Oilers this year. His previous contract with the Golden Knights was worth $1.5 million in cap space, and it is expected that any new deal would fall within the range of the league minimum and that amount.

General Manager Ken Holland should seriously evaluate Kessel as a potential addition to the team, especially considering his performance in the previous season, where he played all 82 games, scored fourteen goals, and provided 22 assists, accumulating a total of 36 points.