Maple Leafs Trade Phil Kessel To Penguins In Multi-Player Blockbuster

UPDATE (2:37 p.m. ET): The Pittsburgh Penguins officially announced their acquisition of Phil Kessel, along with forward Tyler Biggs and defenseman Tim Erixon, from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Kasperi Kapanen, Nick Spaling, Scott Harrington and a 2016 third-round draft pick.

The Penguins also said the deal involves conditional draft picks affected by these conditions:

— If Pittsburgh qualifies for the playoffs next season, Toronto will receive the Penguins’ 2016 first-round draft pick and the Penguins will receive Toronto’s 2016 second-round choice. The second-round pick would be the one Toronto originally acquired from Pittsburgh for Daniel Winnik earlier this year.

— Should Pittsburgh miss the playoffs, Toronto instead will receive the Penguins’ 2017 first-round pick. Pittsburgh would receive Toronto’s 2017 second-round selection.

— If the Penguins miss the playoffs in the next two seasons, Toronto would receive Pittsburgh’s 2017 second-round draft pick. Pittsburgh would not receive a draft pick in that case.

ORIGINAL STORY: NHL free agency began noon Wednesday, but it was a blockbuster trade that stole the headlines.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded first-line right winger Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins, per Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos. Sportsnet’s John Shannon also reported the Penguins will send forward prospect Kasperi Kapanen, defenseman Scott Harrington and a draft pick to the Leafs.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported the draft pick is a first-rounder. Here is a summary of the deal, which includes Toronto retaining some salary on Kessel’s deal:

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