Phil Kessel’s ironman streak in jeopardy as well…?

It came to an end over the weekend. On Saturday, the Philadelphia Flyers scratched Keith Yandle after 989 consecutive games. Fans were outraged at head coach Mike Yeo for his decision to sit Yandle, though we have to admit that performance-wise, it was long overdue. Yeo explained that the team needs to focus on what’s best for the Flyers in the future.

In the meantime, a totally different story is taking place in Arizona, as Coyotes forward Phil Kessel is now the NHL’s new active ironman. The team helped him keep his streak alive last month when his girlfriend Sandra went into labor on March 9. The Coyotes dressed Kessel, played him for a single shift, and then chartered a flight from Detroit to Phoenix in time for him to welcome his daughter to the world.

Talk about a huge difference between the treatment offered to Kessel and Yandle.

But while Kessel’s streak keeps going, he cannot catch Yandle this season. Should he play out the remainder of the 2021-22 calendar without missing a game, Kessel will reach 980 consecutive games. He’ll need to play the first 10 games next season to break Yandle’s mark.

Kessel is however a pending unrestricted free agent, and some things could get in the way of his record.

As Ian Kennedy of The Hockey News points out, Kessel “could remain in Arizona for more money, or choose to go elsewhere on a team friendly contract. That might mean a return to past stomping grounds including Boston or Pittsburgh. If cap space permits, he could also join a contender looking to retool like Colorado or Florida.”

But if he signs elsewhere, the Coyotes won’t be there to protect his Ironman record:

“Wherever he ends up, Kessel will become the new NHL consecutive games played record holder 10 games into the 2022-2023 season; that is, unless his play declines and he finds himself a healthy scratch.”

That could play in the balance in Kessel’s decision for a new contract. Will he prefer to protect the Ironman streak or put it in jeopardy to play for a contender before hanging up the skates?