Per TSN's Darren Dreger, the Leafs have confirmed a new deal with winger Phil Kessel. The reported contract will be for the maximum eight years, at around $8 Million per season.

Leafs confirm Kessel signing. As you were.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 1, 2013

Leafs GM Dave Nonis was scheduled for an interview early Tuesday morning on Sportsnet FAN 590, but rescheduled his appearance for Noon, which could be an indication that the two sides are putting the finishing touches on the deal.

Will update

*******

Phil Kessel's desire to get a new deal done with the Toronto Maple Leafs before the start of the regular season appears to have the two sides close to reaching a deal on a long term contract extension.

According to Sportsnet.ca's Chris Johnston, discussions between the winger’s representatives and the Leafs have heated up in recent days and could reach a conclusion before the start of the regular season in Montreal on Tuesday night.

Kessel is in the last year of a five-year, $27 Million contract signed with Toronto following the trade with Boston in September 2009.

The #leafs and Phil Kessel are talking about a contract extension on the eve of the regular season: http://t.co/wMVBjSb185

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 1, 2013

The 25-year-old Kessel has four 30-goal seasons under his belt and consecutive seasons finishing in the top 10 of NHL scoring. His four goals in the seven-game series loss to the Bruins last May earned the much criticized sniper new found respect from the club's fan base.

Recent speculation has indicated that the winger is looking for a maximum eight-year deal in the neighborhood of $8 Million per season, but that both the club and Kessel are interested in getting a deal done.

The signing of Kessel would be the first of the dozen Leafs players who are scheduled to become either restricted or unrestricted free agents at the end of the 2013-14 season, including Dave Bolland, Nikolai Kulemin, Dion Phaneuf, Jake Gardiner and James Reimer.

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