VIDEO: Leafs fans boo Kessel’s first touch of the puck in Toronto return

(Courtesy: Hockey Night in Canada)

The Toronto Maple Leafs were desperate enough to deal star winger Phil Kessel this summer that they agreed to retain salary to facilitate the deal. And it would seem that at least a smattering of the Toronto faithful were cool with that decision.

On Saturday night the Maple Leafs hosted Phil Kessel’s Pittsburgh Penguins at the Air Canada Centre, and Kessel was treated to a strong-ish smattering of boos when he first touched the puck, briefly, on his very first shift. You can hear the boos and watch the highlight in the vine embedded above.

Though Kessel is the best Maple Leafs winger in recent memory, the team has elected not to pay tribute to the American-born winger, who for all of his supposed faults was always worth the price of admission when he wore the blue and white sweater.