Giving Phil Kessel a PTO wouldn't be a bad idea for the Vegas Golden Knights

Phil Kessel hasn't seen an NHL rink since the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup. The NHL's reigning Iron Man has many factors going against him, including his age (he's 36 years old) and eroding play (he scored 14 goals and 22 assists in 2022-23, his last season). Still, that doesn't stop him from continuing the dream of playing in the NHL.

Sadly, nobody is interested in taking a flyer on the right winger. Why take a risk on giving him a PTO when even teams like the San Jose Sharks won't even budge? What if he makes the team and suddenly slows down, hindering the group? It's a somber tale of a hockey player who's been passed by time, with his career heading to the rearview mirror.

Still, there should be some incentive for the Golden Knights to give Kessel a PTO. Tanner Pearson is getting a second chance in his NHL career, so why shouldn't the hot dog-eating connoisseur get another try? He's played in 1,064 consecutive games and scored 413 goals and 579 assists during his illustrious NHL career. Here's why Kelly McCrimmon should take a flyer on giving the beloved legend another crack.

Why Phil Kessel should get a PTO offer with the Vegas Golden Knights

The obvious reason would be that NHL fans adore him. Everyone loves hearing the stories of Phil Kessel eating hot dogs from the Stanley Cup or his aversion to drinking water. He's the ultimate example of a hockey figure who can't do any wrong in the public eye. The winger could offer a farewell tour hockey fans have been craving.

While Vegas has a surplus in young wingers, the group is still raw. Names like Pavel Dorofeyev and Alexander Holtz still need seasoning in their game, where they must continue their development. That's where the three-time All-Star comes into play, for he's experienced the game in different eras. It gives these players a different perspective on playing the game, making them better overall wingers.

Kessel could be a good mentor to younger stars like Dorofeyev and Brendan Brisson for these reasons. The former fifth-overall pick of the 2006 NHL Draft has excellent insight on making it in the NHL. He's dealt with different types of teams, from those middling (the Arizona Coyotes) to Stanley Cup champions (the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vegas Golden Knights). Like Tanner Pearson, he's a seasoned veteran who can be a good leader.

The main difference is he has the hockey pedigree to make his teammates better. That includes being a positive locker room presence and having a terrific hockey IQ. There's nobody who carries the innate situational awareness that Kessel does offensively. It made him a key part of the Golden Knights's Stanley Cup run and could help them (and Kelly McCrimmon) in the future.

Everyone loves a good ending, especially with an NHL hero

Phil Kessel has had an incredible story during his NHL career. He's overcome countless adversity and has become a household name in hockey, whether it's beating testicular cancer or being the NHL's reigning "Iron Man." It's a testament to his "no quit" attitude, where he chugs along through different obstacles in his life.

Right now, he's faced with an obstacle of reaching the NHL again. Nobody currently wants him (not even on a PTO level), including the Vancouver Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights. It's a sad reality that even resilience can't trump father time. But that won't deter the three-time Stanley Cup champion, who could barrel through this challenge with a steady diet of hot dogs and Coca-Cola's.

That's enough reason for Kelly McCrimmon to consider giving him another try. Tanner Pearson got a PTO offer with the team, yet he doesn't have the decorated history his fellow former first-round pick does. While Pearson might be younger than Kessel, that doesn't trump having the legendary figure trying out once more. That could be a fun final chapter for NHL fans everywhere and the happy ending everyone deserves.