Maple Leafs trade winger Phil Kessel to Penguins

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded right wing Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded right wing Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the teams announced. 

The Penguins receive Kessel, Tyler Biggs, Tim Erixon and a 2016 second-round pick, while the Leafs receive Nick Spaling, Kasperi Kapanen, Scott Harrington, a 2016 first-round pick and a 2016 third-round pick. 

TSN's Bob McKenzie first reported the trade.  

Kessel, who ESPN.com reports was owed a $4 million signing bonus on Wednesday, has been the subject of trade rumors this off-season. The 27-year-old scored 25 goals and tallied 36 assists in 82 games 2014–15, averaging 18:48 time on ice. 

Kessel is a three-time All-Star and won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2007. He is under contract through the 2021–22 season after signing an eight-year extension with Toronto in 2013.

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Kapanen, a winger, was the Penguins' first-round pick at last year's NHL draft. Harrington, a defenseman, was chosen 54th by Pittsburgh in 2011. He appeared in 10 games for the Penguins last season.

- Molly Geary