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It’s official: Jean-Sebastien Giguere to Toronto for Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake

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The Ducks’ trade of Jean-Sebastien Giguere to Toronto is official: He goes to Toronto for goalie Vesa Toskala, who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and forward Jason Blake, the former King. The Ducks will NOT include a first-round pick in the trade, though that had been rumored to be part of the deal.

Best-case scenario is that it’s a fresh start for Giguere, who will be reunited with his longtime friend and goaltending coach, Francois Allaire. Giguere is a classy guy who has had to deal with a lot of difficulties off the ice, including a congenital condition that left his oldest son blind in one eye and the death of his father last season.

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Giguere might have lost his touch in net but he never lost his dignity, and his playoff exploits in 2003 and 2007 earned him a huge place in the Ducks’ history.

The Ducks’ agreement with Jonas Hiller on a four-year, $18-million extension on Saturday cleared the way to trade Giguere, who was the most valuable player of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs and was the backbone of their 2007 Cup championship but has struggled the last season and a half.

Giguere’s contract, which calls for him to be paid $6 million this season and $7 million next season, contained a no-trade clause, which he waived in order to go to Toronto.

More later at www.latimes.com/sports.

-- Helene Elliott

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