Leafs Sign Daniel Winnik to Two-Year Deal

While not everyone is a huge fan of the Phil Kessel trade, I’m pretty sure everyone is pretty pleased with the Leafs’ continued smart maneuvering on the free agent market – they’ve just signed Daniel Winnik to a two-year contract.

More past the jump…

Winnik actually signed a one-year deal with Toronto on July 28th last year, choosing his hometown team after bouncing around the NHL with Phoenix, Colorado, San Jose and Anaheim. About four months ago, the Leafs traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Zach Sill (now a UFA), a fourth round pick in 2015 (traded to Edmonton in the Martin Marincin deal) and a second round pick in 2016. That second rounder went back to Pittsburgh today in the Kessel deal. 

A solid contributor on both sides of the puck, Winnik scored seven goals and 25 points in 58 games for the Leafs last season, while also playing a big role on the penalty kill. With Pittsburgh, he had nine points in 21 games. He’s money on the third line.

Most importantly, coming back to Toronto with Winnik will be his bulldogs. Find photos below, as well as reaction to the deal from the Toronto bulldog community.