"Phil has wanted to return the whole time, He was reluctant to go to a team's training camp on a tryout contract, so didn't do that. But, you know he's continued to skate. He's living in Arizona, keeping himself game ready. There have been ongoing discussions. There was something in October that was very close, like he was going to get a contract but that obviously didn't happen. The weeks become months, is it all for him?
"In his mind and heart, he hopes not, and so it's going to take one team who is serious enough to give him a chance. He is still the NHL's active ironman. He's just looking to sign somewhere and keep playing. If that team doesn't want to dress him on back to back nights or have him as an extra forward. I think he would be to some of those opportunities. Only time will tell if Phil Kessel is back in the NHL. But certainly it's his desire to get back there."