He is an elite athlete, who just happens to look like an Everyman.
An intensely private person, who is truly known by few, but loved by many.
A guy who arrived here with a sour reputation, but left with some sweet memories.
Oh, and a couple of Stanley Cup rings.
And Friday night, Phil Kessel will report to work at PPG Paints Arena for the first time since he was traded to Arizona in June, in the most anticipated return since Marc-Andre Fleury showed up in a sweater with a knight's helmet on it.
'A REALLY FUNNY GUY'
Kessel spent four years in this town, and departed without people knowing him much better than they did when he arrived from Toronto in 2015.
People outside the organization, anyway.
Kessel is an intensely private sort, and submits to interviews with the enthusiasm most people reserve for sedation-free oral surgery. And when he does speak publicly, the words generally are so dry that they threaten to spontaneously combust as they pass over his lips.
His teammates, though, got to know a different Phil Kessel. One who could shatter locker-room tension quicker than he can snap off a wrist shot.
"He's a really relaxed guy," Jake Guentzel said. "Just awesome to be around. A really funny guy. He's definitely quiet, but there are times when he says a joke or two and it gets the guys going and definitely lightens the mood for the team."
What Kessel thinks of his former teammates isn't clear, because he's made it known that he doesn't want to discuss anything Penguins-related until after the game Friday night.
Regardless, the value of his knack for lowering the group's stress level off the ice ice might have rivaled the considerable impact he had on it.
"Phil was a great teammate when he was here," Mike Sullivan said. "His teammates really like him. He has a way, with his sense of humor, to lighten the atmosphere when the stakes are really high."
LOSING HIS TOUCH?
The Coyotes acquired Kessel to add a dimension to their offense, but he hasn't been all that productive so far.
Even after scoring two goals (the second one an empty-netter) in Arizona's 3-1 victory in Philadelphia Thursday evening, he has just six goals and 11 assists in 30 games:
Putting the Phil in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/fZVJfccGW3
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) December 6, 2019
That's well off the pace he had during his tenure with the Penguins, when he put up 110 goals and 193 assists in 328 regular-season games.
Nonetheless, Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet, who forged a strong relationship with Kessel while Tocchet was on Sullivan's staff, said he isn't concerned about Kessel's modest point output in 2019-20.
"He had a really good camp and a really good start," Tocchet said. "He got banged up. He's been playing through some injuries, and he's just starting to feel good again, the last five or six games. The last five or six games, he's had a lot of chances.
"The one thing he's done well here -- what we really need him for -- obviously to score, but (also to) pass the puck. He probably should have 12 more assists. He's gotten a lot of guys some Grade-As that we haven't connected on at the other end. He's missed the net a few times. He's (upset with) himself because he's missing the net, but he's had his chances."
And the Penguins have first-hand knowledge that Kessel is capable of going on a tear at any time.
"He's very opportunistic," Sullivan said. "He has an ability to get behind defense corps. He has an ability to anticipate and jump on the offense when the puck's up for grabs. He's one of those players you have to be aware (of) when he's on the ice."
Tocchet said he has not given Kessel set linemates, and doesn't seem to have any immediate plans to do so.
"Right now, with our team, I have to move him around," he said. "I get more out of him that way right now. Moving him around is the best option for our team and our personnel."
So far, the Coyotes have been able to overcome Kessel's limited offensive output. The victory over the Flyers improved their record to 17-9-4 and moved them into first place in the Pacific Division, one point ahead of Edmonton.
"When you're winning, you kind of overlook things," Tocchet said. "If we're losing, it might be a concern, but we're winning. Phil's going to score. He just has to stick with it, just keep shooting the puck. We're going to need him down the stretch. I'm not concerned. He's had those slumps in his career, and then he breaks out of it and gets streaky. He'll come out of it for us."
THE GODFATHER
Much like his former teammates with the Penguins, Kessel's new co-workers in Arizona seem to be developing a genuine affection for him.
That's particularly true, Tocchet said, of players who were in elementary school when Kessel was breaking into the league with Boston in 2006.
"There are about six or seven young guys who he hangs with," Tocchet said. "Those are his guys. At dinner, it's all the young guys and Phil. I call him 'The Godfather' of that group. He jokes around with them in pressure situations, and I think that helps the young guys. There are times when things don't go well, or in a tight game, and he can loosen those kids up a bit, and I think that really helps."
It's safe to assume that younger teammates like Clayton Keller, Jacob Chychrun, Nick Schmaltz, Conor Garland and Christian Dvorak will be impressed by the way Kessel is embraced by the PPG Paints Arena crowd.
The ovation figures to be long and loud, the tribute video touching.
After all, folk heroes aren't easily forgotten.
"The fans all loved him here, so they'll be glad to see him back," Justin Schultz said.
The predictable part is how the fans will welcome Kessel. The uncertainty centers on how he will react to the outpouring of affection that has been welling up since he was traded.
"He doesn't like to show his emotions," Tocchet said. "I think he's a little bit of a softy inside. Deep down, he'll get emotional. He came here, won two Cups. He brought a different personality to the room. The fans love him. His teammates loved him. I think deep down -- I assume he's going to get an unreal ovation -- I could see a little bit of emotion in him. I don't think he's going to have that stone-faced Phil (expression) that we have sometimes. I think you'll see a little bit of a smile."
Which might be as much as anyone outside of his team's locker room ever really sees of Phil Kessel.
