It might not garner a parade, but the Stanley Cup appears to be on its way back to Toronto.
Phil Kessel says he's strongly considering bringing it to the city this summer when he gets his 24 hours with the trophy.
"I haven't fully decided, but I have a lot of friends in Toronto and that's where I've spent most of my time (in the NHL)," the Pittsburgh Penguins forward told Sportsnet 590 The FAN on Wednesday.
"I probably will end up bringing it back there. Nothing's been decided, but I think there's a good chance that it'll happen."
Kessel spent six tumultuous seasons with the Maple Leafs before being traded to the Penguins last July.
"It's been a whirlwind, a lot of changes in my life, and obviously I wouldn't change this for anything ... it's unbelievable," he said Wednesday.
He notched 10 goals and 22 points in 24 playoff games this spring, and many felt he deserved the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason MVP, an honor that went to Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.
Kessel posted 26 goals and 59 points in his first regular season with Pittsburgh. He authored four 30-goal seasons with the Maple Leafs, including 37-goal campaigns in 2011-12 and 2013-14.
The 28-year-old winger had nothing but praise for the fans in Toronto.
"They always treated me great. I loved the city there and I'll always cherish my time there," Kessel said.
He added that he'll "for sure" be back in Toronto for OVO Fest, the music festival hosted by Drake's record label, OVO Sound, in late July and early August.
