Phil Kessel sounds off on why he joined Vegas
Phil the Thrill is headed to Sin City!
It's official, Phil the Thrill is headed for Sin City.
Free agent forward Phil Kessel has agreed to join the Vegas Golden Knights, signing a one-year contract worth $1.5 million to suit up for his 5th NHL squad. Of course, Kessel is a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he's looking to experience that championship feeling again.
“When you get a chance to play on a good team that wants to win, you’re always looking forward to it,” Kessel said. “Over the last couple years you get lost here and people don’t view you anymore like you used to be viewed, and I don’t think that’s the case. I’m very motivated to come in here and help this team and try to contend. I’m very motivated and I think I’m going to have a great year."
Kessel had spent the last few seasons playing with the basement dwelling Arizona Coyotes, who have no chance of contending whatsoever for the foreseeable future. And according to Kessel, it's just simply a different feeling.
“When you want to win and everyone on the team wants to win, it’s a different feeling, a different vibe. Arizona, they had great guys, all the players, they’re great kids and a lot of good people there. But when you don’t want to necessarily win and contend, it becomes difficult as a player, especially when you came from Pittsburgh and I wanted to win.”
Kessel should be able to help offset some of the offensive load lost by the departure of Max Pacioretty, who was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes for exactly nothing in return as part of a salary-cap relief maneuver.
He's scored 399 goals and 557 assists in 1,204 career games with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Penguins and Coyotes. What kind of year will he enjoy in Vegas in 2022-23?
