chicot60
10-01-2013, 05:15 PM
BY ROB LONGLEY , TERRY KOSHAN ,TORONTO SUN
TORONTO - Phil Kessel is two things this morning - a rich man and a Maple Leaf for a long time.
The team announced that the Leafs leading scorer has signed a contract extension. With the deal done mere hours before the team opens the new NHL season against the Canadiens, Kessel has signed for eight seasons at $8 million US per.
Kessel, who turns 26 on Wednesday, wouild appear to be entering the prime of his career. He led the team with 52 points in 48 games last season as the Leafs finally returned to the playoffs.
"Phil Kessel is one of the premier wingers and top scorers in the National Hockey League today,” said Leafs general manager Dave Nonis, in a team releases. “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, 25, played 48 games for the Maple Leafs in 2012-13, leading the team in goals (20), assists (32), points (52), powerplay goals (5), game-winning goals (4) and shots (161). He ranked seventh in NHL points (tie) and ninth in shots. The native of Madison, Wisconsin also played seven playoff games for Toronto, posting team-highs in goals (4), powerplay goals (tie-1) and game-winning goals (2).
Over the last two seasons, Kessel has accumulated 134 points (57 goals, 77 assists) in 130 games. Only Steve Stamkos (154), Evgeni Malkin (142) and Claude Giroux (141) have more points in that stretch. Only three players have more goals than Kessel’s 89 over the last three seasons: Stamkos (134), Corey Perry (102) and Alex Ovechkin (102).
http://www.torontosun.com/2013/10/01/kessel-close-to-8-year-64m-contract
TORONTO - Phil Kessel is two things this morning - a rich man and a Maple Leaf for a long time.
The team announced that the Leafs leading scorer has signed a contract extension. With the deal done mere hours before the team opens the new NHL season against the Canadiens, Kessel has signed for eight seasons at $8 million US per.
Kessel, who turns 26 on Wednesday, wouild appear to be entering the prime of his career. He led the team with 52 points in 48 games last season as the Leafs finally returned to the playoffs.
"Phil Kessel is one of the premier wingers and top scorers in the National Hockey League today,” said Leafs general manager Dave Nonis, in a team releases. “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, 25, played 48 games for the Maple Leafs in 2012-13, leading the team in goals (20), assists (32), points (52), powerplay goals (5), game-winning goals (4) and shots (161). He ranked seventh in NHL points (tie) and ninth in shots. The native of Madison, Wisconsin also played seven playoff games for Toronto, posting team-highs in goals (4), powerplay goals (tie-1) and game-winning goals (2).
Over the last two seasons, Kessel has accumulated 134 points (57 goals, 77 assists) in 130 games. Only Steve Stamkos (154), Evgeni Malkin (142) and Claude Giroux (141) have more points in that stretch. Only three players have more goals than Kessel’s 89 over the last three seasons: Stamkos (134), Corey Perry (102) and Alex Ovechkin (102).
http://www.torontosun.com/2013/10/01/kessel-close-to-8-year-64m-contract