Music: {allcanada} Kessel, Leafs agree on eight-year extension

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

{allcanada} Kessel, Leafs agree on eight-year extension

The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 - Justin Timberlake

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed forward Phil Kessel to an eight-year contract Tuesday. Financial terms of the deal were not released, but TSN reported the average annual value to be $8 million.

"Phil Kessel is one of the premier wingers and elite goal scorers in the National Hockey League today," Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis. "He wanted to be a Maple Leaf long term and we're very pleased that Phil will be a part of our core group of players in Toronto until the 2021-22 season."

Kessel is in the final season of a five-year contract he signed after being acquired by the Maple Leafs from the Boston Bruins. His new contract goes into effect at the start of next season. Kessel could have become an unrestricted free agent in July 2014.

The 26-year-old led the Maple Leafs with 20 goals and 52 points last season, a total that tied for seventh in the League. He led the team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with four goals, including two game-winners.

Kessel had at least 30 goals in his first three seasons with the Maple Leafs, and in seven NHL seasons with the Bruins and Maple Leafs, he has 185 goals and 379 points in 504 games.

The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 - Justin Timberlake