Defenceman Mike Komisarek has gone to the Montreal Canadiens' biggest rival.
The 27-year old defenceman signed a five-year, $22.5 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday. The deal will count $4.5 million annually against the salary cap.
Sources tell TSN that Komisarek's deal with the Maple Leafs includes a limited no-trade clause. Every September, Komisarek will be asked by Toronto to submit a list of 12 teams he would accept a trade to. This will allow Toronto to control his contract in the event things don't work out the way both sides anticipate they will.
"We are extremely pleased to add a player with Mike's ability and leadership qualities to our lineup," Leafs general manager Brian Burke said in a statement. "He's a respected competitor in this league and we know that he will bring his hard-nosed approach to our team on a consistent basis."
Earlier in the day, the Canadiens had reportedly offered Komisarek a five-year, $20 million offer.
Komisarek had two goals and nine assists and an even rating in 66 games with the Canadiens last season, while leading the Habs in both hits (191) and blocked shots and (207).
Komisarek was taken seventh overall by Montreal in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
In 361 career regular season games, the West Islip, New York native has 12 goals and 46 assists for 58 points, all with the Canadiens.
Earlier in the day, the Maple Leafs dealt defenceman Pavel Kubina to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for defenceman Garnet Exelby and winger Colin Stuart, while Atlanta also gets the rights to forward Tim Stapleton.
