Phil Kessel Could Miss Major Career Milestone

The NHL has seen many great players, but few have earned the title of "Ironman" as convincingly as Phil Kessel. In a career spanning 1,294 games, Kessel has been a model of consistency, playing in an incredible 1,064 games in a row since 2010. This astonishing feat of endurance is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the sport.

Kessel began his journey in the NHL when the Boston Bruins drafted him 5th overall in 2006. Since then, he's donned the jerseys of several teams, including the Maple Leafs, Penguins, Coyotes, and Golden Knights. Throughout his career, Kessel has shown an unyielding commitment to stepping onto the ice every game, with the sole exception of his time with the Bruins.

As he approaches the end of his career, Kessel has racked up an impressive 413 goals and 992 points. This puts him just 8 points shy of the illustrious 1,000-point mark, a career milestone that many players dream of reaching. Unfortunately, Kessel's quest for this achievement is in doubt, as he currently has no NHL contract lined up – not even a Professional Tryout (PTO).

Although Kessel's prime years may be behind him, he still brings a wealth of experience and scoring prowess that could bolster any team's fourth line. Coming off his 3rd Stanley Cup win, Kessel may be considering hanging up his skates for good. However, doing so would mean missing out on the chance to hit the 1,000-point mark, a milestone he's worked tirelessly to achieve.

Do you think Kessel will play in the NHL next season?

As reported on Hockey Patrol - Kessel At Risk Of Missing Major Career Milestone