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Penguins trade for Leafs' Kessel

On the first day of NHL free agency, a blockbuster trade stole the spotlight. The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired high-scoring winger Phil Kessel from Toronto on Wednesday in the biggest move of the day, while a handful of prominent defenseman found new homes.

On the first day of NHL free agency, a blockbuster trade stole the spotlight.

The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired high-scoring winger Phil Kessel from Toronto on Wednesday in the biggest move of the day, while a handful of prominent defenseman found new homes.

Mike Green signed a multiyear deal with Detroit; Andrej Sekera signed a $33 million, six-year contract with Edmonton; Paul Martin inked a $19.4 million, four-year deal with San Jose; and Francois Beauchemin got a three-year deal with Colorado.

Notable forwards to sign with teams on a busy opening day of free agency included Michael Frolik, who got a $21.5 million, five-year deal from Calgary; Matt Belesky, who got a $19 million, five-year deal with Boston; Justin Williams, who left Los Angeles for a two-year contract with Washington; Brad Richards, who left Chicago for a one-year Detroit deal; Antoine Vermette, who also left Chicago to return to Arizona; and Blake Comeau, who signed for three years with Colorado.

But the biggest move was clearly the one that teamed Kessel with former MVPs Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in Pittsburgh. The Penguins sent forward prospect Kasperi Kapanen, forward Nick Spaling, defenseman Scott Harrington, and a 2016 third-round pick to the Maple Leafs for Kessel, forward Tyler Briggs, and defenseman Tim Erixon. Conditional draft picks are also involved.