New Jersey Devils grab veteran Martin Skoula from Toronto Maple Leafs in NHL trade deadline deal
BY Kristie Ackert
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Originally Published:Wednesday, March 3rd 2010, 1:39 PM
Updated: Wednesday, March 3rd 2010, 1:50 PM
After making the blockbuster move of the season well before the Olympic break, the Devils settled for a minor trade before Wednesday's deadline. President Lou Lamoriello sent a 2010 fifth-round pick to the Maple Leafs for defenseman Martin Skoula.
The Devils had already picked off the biggest fish in the trade market well before the deadline, dealing for pending free agent sniper Ilya Kovalchuk on Feb.4.
Lamoriello had been looking for an experienced defenseman since the Kovalchuk deal, as the Devils gave up Johnny Oduya in the trade and Paul Martin has been out since Oct. 24 with a broken forearm.
"He gives us additional depth at the defensive position," Lamoriello said, "while adding size and experience to our lineup."
In 33 games this season with the Penguins, Skoula had three goals and five assists. The 6-3, 225-pounder had no time to unpack after first being dealt Tuesday night to Toronto with a prospect for Alexei Ponikarovsky.
Skoula spent the previous three seasons with current Devils coach Jacques Lemaire in Minnesota.
Skoula, 30, will earn $575,000 this season and will be an unrestricted free agent July 1.
New Jersey Devils grab veteran Martin Skoula from Toronto Maple Leafs in NHL trade deadline deal
