Kessel embracing 'fresh start' with Penguins after 'different world' in Toronto

Change can be difficult, but Phil Kessel is eager to begin the next stage of his career.

Kessel was dealt by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, ending his six-year stint in the NHL's largest market. Rather than dwell on what might have been, the prolific goal-scorer is excited about playing alongside his new teammates.

"I never would have thought I'd have the chance to play with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, to play on a team like the Penguins," Kessel told Pittsburgh sports columnist Dejan Kovacevic. "It's just amazing. I'm so pumped."

Kessel's style of play and introverted demeanor never fit well with the Maple Leafs, where the constant media attention and scrutiny on marquee players can become suffocating and overwhelming if not handled correctly. The star power of the Penguins roster should afford him an opportunity to let his play do the talking.

"Well, yeah, it should be different. It's a different world there," he said. "Obviously, I'm looking forward to this and having a fresh start. I’m actually really excited about that part of it."

Related: Penguins GM on Kessel: 'He doesn't have to be the guy here. We have a bunch of them'

Kessel led the Maple Leafs in scoring in all of his six seasons with the franchise, but he only tasted a single round of playoff action - for seven games in 2013 which makes joining a postseason contender in Pittsburgh even sweeter.

"When you have a chance to play on a great team, you're thrilled. Being in Toronto, I got to play in one playoffs in all my years there," he said. "But that's the best time of the year, right? Playoff hockey. Hopefully, I’ll get to play in many in Pittsburgh."

Penguins coach Mike Johnston spoke with Kessel earlier Thursday and Kessel foresees his style fitting well with Pittsburgh's dynamic attacking system.

"I think it'll mesh well. I like to score goals, but I also like to pass the puck. In today's game, you need to have options when you have the puck," he said. "And with defensemen like we have joining the rush in Mike's system, and those guys are great players, yeah, that’ll work with my game."

Toronto still has a place in Kessel's heart despite the hardship and the criticism, but the bittersweet feeling of leaving doesn't detract from the potential of playing for cups with Crosby and Malkin.

"Toronto was a place I loved, and it's not easy leaving that, even with everything else," he said. "That's the first thought. And then after that, I just see this as an opportunity, a great opportunity to be part of something special in Pittsburgh with some great players. I'm excited, right?"