"Time for Phil Kessel to retire" - Fans explore reasons for Iron Man's scratch by Vegas Golden Knights

Phil Kessel has missed many games this season for the Vegas Golden Knights despite being healthy.

What is the reason behind it? A Redditor named u/kLAUSbABY asked the r/nhl subreddit, who had some interesting responses:

Comment by u/raxnahali from discussion Anyone know why Kessel is still not playing? in nhl

Comment by u/CosmicMarbles from discussion Anyone know why Kessel is still not playing? in nhl

Comment by u/99titan from discussion Anyone know why Kessel is still not playing? in nhl

Comment by u/Guilty_Scheme_6215 from discussion Anyone know why Kessel is still not playing? in nhl

Comment by u/Intrepid_Camp_219 from discussion Anyone know why Kessel is still not playing? in nhl

Comment by u/AceConspirator from discussion Anyone know why Kessel is still not playing? in nhl

Comment by u/No_Character_5315 from discussion Anyone know why Kessel is still not playing? in nhl

Comment by u/gilkrave from discussion Anyone know why Kessel is still not playing? in nhl

Comment by u/Pylon55 from discussion Anyone know why Kessel is still not playing? in nhl

Comment by u/ExcellentPattern7599 from discussion Anyone know why Kessel is still not playing? in nhl

Kessel has missed the last 10 postseason games for Vegas. Even though he is now healthy, head coach Bruce Cassidy decided to start a different front lineup.

Kessel played in each of the Golden Knights' first four playoff games, but he hasn't been on the ice since Game 4 against Winnipeg. William Carrier's comeback corresponds with his departure from the lineup.

Due to a lower-body ailment, Carrier has been out since the beginning of March. He made a comeback in Game 5 against Winnipeg and has played every game since.

In these playoffs, Cassidy has chosen to go with Teddy Blueger and Michael Amadio rather than Phil Kessel. Given the other great attacking alternatives in the Vegas team and the superior defensive abilities of Amadio and Blueger, Kessel isn't as necessary as in previous seasons.

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Phil Kessel has been a shadow of his previous self

Phil Kessel #8 of the Vegas Golden Knights

The two-time Stanley Cup winner may not play a significant role against the Stars after making no appearances in the second-round series against the Oilers.

Along with William Karlsson and Brayden McNabb, Kessel was one of just three players on the squad to wear a uniform for every game throughout the regular season.

The 35-year-old has 14 goals and 22 assists in 82 appearances this season. His 36 points were the fewest of his career, dating back to his debut year in 2006–07.

The player Kessel once was is no longer there. In his heyday, he was an essential member of the Penguins' postseason squad, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017. He had 22 and 23 points in those seasons.

Kessel missed the postseason while playing for Arizona the previous two seasons. Kessel's journey with the Golden Knights marks his sixth playoff appearance in the NHL.