It's official: Kessel re-signs with Leafs.

Well, my scheduled post was little out of date. So, the Leafs have re-signed their prized forward to a fat 8-year deal worth $ 8 million a year. Also, a no trade clause in his contract.

MHL.COM -- The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to announce Tuesday a new contract for star scorer Phil Kessel, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

The reported eight-year contract, which would start with the 2014-15 season, will have an average annual value of $8 million, and include a limited no-trade clause.

Kessel is in the final season of a five-year contract he signed after being acquired by the Maple Leafs from the Boston Bruins and would become an unrestricted free agent if not signed before July.

The 26-year-old led the Maple Leafs with 20 goals and 52 points last season, a total that tied for seventh in the League. He led the team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with four goals, including two game-winners.

Kessel had at least 30 goals in his first three seasons with the Maple Leafs, and in seven NHL seasons with the Bruins and Maple Leafs, he has 185 goals and 379 points in 504 games.

Well, my scheduled post was little out of date. So, the Leafs have re-signed their prized forward to a fat 8-year deal worth 8 million a year. Also, there is a no trade clause in his contract. With Kessel signing of this lucrative deal, the expectations for him in Toronto are going to go up. Toronto is a tough town to play in and I expect him to be the whipping boy if things don’t go well for the Leafs this season.