The Penguins acquired Hainsey in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 17, prior to the NHL Trade Deadline. He had 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 72 regular-season games.
"By Wednesday, I had it down to four teams, and after I had my conversations with [general manager Lou Lamoriello] on the phone, and Mike, after talking to them and hearing their vision for everything, that pretty well sealed the deal in my mind that this was the place I wanted to be," Hainsey said.
Hainsey was selected by the Montreal Canadiens with the 13th pick in the 2000 NHL Draft. He has 253 points (49 goals, 204 assists) in 907 games during 14 seasons with the Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, Atlanta Trashers/Winnipeg Jets, Hurricanes and Penguins.
"[The Maple Leafs] got their first taste of it this year in the first round of the playoffs in a [heck] of a series against the Washington Capitals," Hainsey said. "We're all going to be on board to push further than that coming up here next year. I thought that series was intriguing because after it was clear Toronto was going to give them all they could handle, you didn't know what the outcome of the series was going to be. Having to play against Toronto's young forwards, I'm pretty familiar with the problems they can give you with their speed and creativity. It's an exciting group to be a part of, no question."