New Jersey Devils Acquire Davante Smith-Pelly and David Warsofsky as they Ship Out Eric Gelinas, Stefan Matteau and Lee Stempniak

The New Jersey Devils made four moves as the trade deadline approached on Monday February 29. 

The Devils began the day by claiming defenseman, David Warsofsky off of waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

The 25-year old defenseman had one goal in 12 games with the Penguins this season as well as putting up two goals and six assists in 17 games with the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In 2007-2008, Warsofsky played on the USA National Development U-18 Team under current Devils Head Coach, John Hynes. 

The Devils then dealt defenseman, Eric Gelinas to the Colorado Avalanche for their third round draft pick in the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft. 

Right around the deadline, the Devils announced that they had made two more separate trades. They dealt leading scorer, Lee Stempniak to the Boston Bruins for a fourth round pick in the 2016 entry draft and a second rounder in 2016. 

In 63 games with the Devils during the 2015-2016 season, Stempniak scored 16 goals and 25 assists. The Devils invited him to camp on a Professional Tryout Offer, in which he won a spot on the roster and a one-year contract for New Jersey. 

The Devils finished their wheeling and dealing by acquiring forward Devante Smith-Pelly from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Stefan Matteau. 

The 23-year old native of Scarborough, Ontario was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round, 42^nd overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. In 195 career NHL games with the Canadiens and Ducks, Smith-Pelly has put up 21 goals and 35 assists. He also has added six goals and two assists in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games. 

During the 2011 Ontario Hockey League Playoffs, Smith-Pelly led the league in goals with 15, while leading his team to the OHL Finals. He made his NHL debut for the Ducks, on October 7, 2011 in Buffalo and scored his first NHL goal a little more than a month later on November 9, 2011, at home against the Nashville Predators.

Washington Capitals Deal Brooks Laich to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Daniel Winnick

The Washington Capitals dealt long time forward Brooks Laich, prospect Connor Carrick and a second round pick in the 2016 National Hockey League Entry Draft to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Daniel Winnick and a fifth round draft pick on Sunday night.

The move helps the Capitals clear about 2.2 million dollars in salary cap space prior to Monday’s trade deadline giving them a little more room to fine tune their team for the 2015-2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The 32 year-old Laich, was the longest tenured player on the Capitals. General Manager, Brian MacLellan thanked Laich for his time with the organization, while calling him a true professional and wished him well in his future endeavors. In 743 NHL games, he has netted 133 goals and 191 assists between the Capitals and the Ottawa Senators. 

While Winnick is a gritty, versatile player, MacLellan added that the move helps the Capitals add depth to the forwards and some balance to their lineup. In 60 games during the 2015-2016 season, Laich has put up seven goals and six assists. 

Carrick scored 10 goals and 15 assists in 46 games, for the Capitals American Hockey League affiliate the Hershey Bears. Carrick also made an appearance in three games with the Capitals during this season. The Leafs feel the 21 year-old Carrick will be a nice addition to their system. He currently leads all Bears defensemen in scoring.

The 30 year-old Winnick, signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs in 2014 before being moved to the Pittsburgh Penguins last February and then returning to Toronto as an Unrestricted Free Agent on July 1. In 56 games this season he has scored four goals and 10 assists. 

The fifth round pick that the Leafs sent Washington’s way, was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in the deal for Korbinian Holzer. 

While no salary was retained by either side in the deal, Laich’s 4.5 million-dollar cap hit becomes the Maple Leafs’ highest on their active roster.  

Carolina Hurricanes Trade Eric Staal to New York Rangers for Prospect and Picks

(photo credit: yahoosports.com)

The Carolina Hurricanes dealt their captain, Eric Staal to the New York Rangers on Sunday afternoon a day before Monday’s 3:00 PM trading deadline in the National Hockey League.

Staal’s tenure in Raleigh ends after 12 years as the Hurricanes sent him to the Rangers in exchange for their second round pick in the 2016 and 2017 NHL Entry Draft and forward Aleksi Saarela. 

Staal’s 10 goals and 33 points in 63 games in the 2015-2016 season out him on pace for his lowest points total since his rookie season back in 2003-2004. Rangers General Manager, Jeff Gorton feels the former number two overall pick in the 2003 entry draft will help spark the Blueshirts towards a deep run in the 2015-2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

The five time 30 goal scorer has 322 goals and 775 points in 909 regular season games with the Hurricanes and 19 goals and 43 points in 43 post season games, leading the Canes to a Stanley Cup Championship in 2006. 

Staal, will become an Unrestricted Free Agent when his seven year, 57.75 million-dollar contract ends on July 1, 2016. Only Hurricanes’ General Manager, Ron Francis, has more goals, assists and points in Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes history. 

Francis released a statement saying “Eric has been the face of this franchise for a long time, and we thank him for his dedication, leadership and many contributions on and off the ice.” He added, “We felt that this was an important opportunity for us to continue our work in building an organization that can consistently compete in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”

Saarela was selected by the Rangers in the third round, number 89 overall, of the 2015 entry draft. In 46 games with Assat of the Finnish Elite League, he has 18 goals and 31 points. He also won a gold medal while playing for Finland in the 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships. 

After playing in Carolina with brother Jordan, the last three seasons, he is expected to join brother, Marc in New York on Monday as he dons his number 12 for the Rangers when they will host the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden.  

The Hurricanes will retain 50 percent of Staal’s contract and salary cap hit.