Phil Kessel’s top to bottom run with the Maple Leafs is through.
Management’s attempt to give new coach Mike Babcock a clean slate, a younger team he can mould and rid the dressing room of a player considered a poor influence, succeeded on Wednesday in a major trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Coming back are a former No, 1 pick right winger Kasperi Kapanen, forward Nick Spaling, 6-foot-2 defenceman Scott Harington and two picks, a first rounder and third rounder next year. Unable to create interest in Kessel without taking back some of his massive eight-year $64 million US deal, the Leafs changed gears and will eat $1.