Patrick Allvin, the General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks, revealed why they didn't sign Phil Kessel at this year's deadline despite him practicing with the AHL team.
Phil Kessel was one of the biggest question marks for free agency throughout the course of this season, as he was looking to sign with a team since the end of the offseason. While things failed to materialize at the beginning of the season, it looked like he could have something coming up when he started practicing with the Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate.
However, the trade deadline came and went without a deal coming forward for Kessel, meaning he won't play in the NHL this season. Now, Canucks GM Patrick Allvin has revealed why the Canucks didn't sign him.
«I think Phil is a great person and a well-respected player,» Allvin said later on deadline day. «What he has done in the league, a three-time Cup winner, he wanted to come back to play.»
«With being in LTIR and roster complications and how we want to play, unfortunately, at this point it wasn't a fit for us,» he then added.
«With being in LTIR and roster complications and how we want to play, unfortunately, at this point it wasn't a fit for us,» he then added.
It is unfortunate that Kessel won't play in the NHL this year, as he is clearly a fan favourite around the league both with fans and his former teammates. Last season, Kessel was able to put up 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points in 82 games. He has proven he can win Stanley Cups, or at least be a good addition to potential Stanley Cup-winning teams. He is also a former NHL All-Star.
We will have to wait and see if this will mark a retirement for Kessel, or if it inspires him to keep working this offseason for a potential return next season.
As seen on Hockey Feed - "Reason exposed on why Phil Kessel wasn't signed by Vancouver"
| POLL | ||
27 MARS | 248 ANSWERS Canucks GM reveals why they did not sign Phil Kessel Do you think the Canucks should have signed Phil Kessel? | ||
| Yes | 89 | 35.9 % |
| No | 159 | 64.1 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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