Last month, the Canucks had announced that Kessel would be training with their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, after he arrived in Vancouver. With no other contract offers in the NHL, the Canucks needed to ensure cap compliance by the deadline to add Kessel to their roster, but they were unsuccessful.
Selected fifth overall by the Boston Bruins in 2006, Kessel has played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes, and Vegas Golden Knights, accumulating 413 goals and 579 assists over 1,286 games. He had hoped to continue playing in the NHL and possibly win a fourth championship before retiring.
Kessel played in all 82 games with the Vegas Golden Knights last season, tallying 14 goals and 22 assists. Despite only appearing in four playoff games, the Knights won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, marking Kessel's third championship.
With an NHL iron man streak of 1,064 consecutive regular-season games played, it's possible that Kessel has skated in his final NHL game.
