Penguins acquire Kessel
NEW YORK: Phil Kessel was traded from Toronto to Pittsburgh while Detroit signed goal-minded defenceman Mike Green as National Hockey League free agency opened on Wednesday.
Kessel, who scored 25 goals for the Maple Leafs last season, joined defenceman Tim Erixon and a second-round 2016 NHL Draft choice in going to the Penguins for defenceman Scott Harrington, forwards Nick Spaling and Kasperi Kapanen and first- and third-round draft picks in 2016.
The Leafs will also pay a US$1.25 million annual salary to Kessel, who has 227 goals in 668 NHL games, including 181 in six seasons with Toronto.
Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin figures to benefit from having Kessel on the wing alongside him as the Penguins try to become title challengers once again.
As the free agent signing scramble began, Green made his move to Detroit after 10 seasons with the Washington Capitals, signing a three-year deal worth $18 million. The Red Wings also signed center Brad Richards to a one-year deal worth $3 million.
Green, 29, had 10 goals and set up 35 others in 72 games for Washington last season. He netted a career-best 31 goals in the 2008-09 campaign.
Richards, 35, had 12 goals for Chicago last season and helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup, his second after sparking Tampa Bay to the trophy in 2004.
The Buffalo Sabres made Jack Eichel, the Boston University star selected second in last week’s NHL Draft, the first player of his class to sign, signing the centre to a three-year entry level deal and ending any speculation Eichel might return to college next season.