Penguins' Kessel promises he'll play opening night
Phil Kessel will not miss any time after undergoing hand surgery this offseason - or so he says.
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The Pittsburgh Penguins forward went under the knife in July to mend a hand injury he suffered in his team's opening-round playoff series against the New York Rangers, and things appear to be healing nicely.
Kessel was on hand for the Penguins' golf tournament on Tuesday (which he did not play in), where he promised he would be ready to go opening night, according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette.
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Though he should be available for the team's season opener on Oct. 13 against the Washington Capitals, Kessel claims he likely won't be ready for training camp.
Btw, he's not watching the World Cup of Hockey, he said.
— Bill West (@BWest_Trib) September 20, 2016
In his first season with the Penguins, the 28-year-old was a force in his squad's playoff run, posting a team-leading 10 goals and 22 points en route to his first Stanley Cup win.