"Reunion with Leafs is most appropriate" "Phil for president": NHL fans weigh in on Paul Bissonnette's Phil Kessel hot take

While the presidential debate was happening Tuesday night, the only thing Paul Bissonnette was concerned with was the lack of a PTO for Phil Kessel. He took to social media to air his grievances about the one issue he believes is front and center right now.

Bissonnette tweeted:

"Who cares about the debate Phil Kessel can’t get a god***n PTO."

Kessel, who remains unsigned as the preseason and regular season creep closer, recorded 36 points in his last season. That was in 2022-2023, so he did not play last year but hasn't retired yet.

This prompted NHL fans to chime in with their takes, and some agree that Kessel should get another shot after his final year with the Vegas Golden Knights.

"Who gives a single f**k about that Phil Kessel?" one fan said.

"I loved watching Phill on the bench. His intensity was unmatched!" another added.

I know they got rid of him before, but make him the shooter on the Pens PP, and they can make the playoffs... Not inconceivable that a good (not even great) power play gets them five more wins over the course of the season," one said.

"The good teams have better options for their top 6 and the bad teams want to give the top 6 minutes to younger players," one fan pointed out.

Kessel, the former Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins standout, has a career total of 992 points across 17 seasons in the NHL.

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Canucks GM discusses not signing Phil Kessel

The Vancouver Canucks came close to signing Kessel last year. They ultimately opted not to pursue his services. There was a deadline and the two couldn't meet it, leaving him as a free agent in March.

Phil Kessel remains unsigned (Imagn)

Canucks GM Patrik Allvin said, via NHL, at the time:

"Phil is a great person and well-respected player, what he has done in the League, a three-time Cup winner, [he] wanted to come back to play. With roster complications and how we want to play, unfortunately at this point it wasn't a fit for us."

That remains the last time Kessel came close to signing with an NHL team.