BARRIE

Toronto Maple Leafs trade Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins

Stephen Whyno The Canadian Press
Published Wednesday, July 1, 2015 1:26PM EDT Last Updated Wednesday, July 1, 2015 1:42PM EDT

Toronto Maple Leafs' Phil Kessel, centre, moves down the bench in front of interim head coach Peter Horachek during first period NHL hockey action against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Toronto on Jan. 9, 2015. (Darren Calabrese / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded star winger Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Kessel had 25 goals and 36 assists for the Leafs last season. It was the first time Kessel failed to reach the 30-goal plateau in a full season with the Maple Leafs.

Kessel has seven more years on his contract at a cap hit of US$8 million a season.

The Leafs got prospects Kasperi Kapanen and Scott Harrington and winger Nick Spaling in the trade and also reportedly two draft picks, including a first-rounder.

Trading Kessel is the first step toward dismantling the Leafs' core after missing the playoffs yet again.

It's unclear what other moves Toronto's front office will make this summer in rebuilding the roster.

The 27-year-old Kessel had trade value because of his consintent offence, with 247 goals and 273 assists in 668 NHL games.