The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Michael Grabner in a trade with the New York Islanders on Thursday.
According to the Associated Press, the Maple Leafs sent forwards Taylor Beck, Carter Verhaeghe, defensemen Matt Finn, Tom Nilsson, and goaltender Christopher Gibson to the Islanders. Grabner is entering the final year of his contract, and his salary cap hit is $3 million. He will most likely become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the upcoming season.
“He brings exceptional speed,” Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello said, the Toronto Star notes. “There’s no question that he’s one of the top penalty-killers in the league. He pushes other people, and he pushes the defense back. He's the type of player that what he has you can't teach. We’ve seen enough of him to know that. And we’re looking forward to getting him.”
Grabner was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 2006. He signed a five-year deal with the Islanders in 2011. Last season he was limited to just 34 games because of injuries. He had eight goals and 13 points in the regular season and played in two playoff games last year, according to NHL.com. Grabner has 95 goals, 60 assists, and 155 points in six seasons with the Canucks and Islanders.
Only one of the players that the Islanders acquired played in the NHL last year, and that was Beck. Beck had eight goals and 16 points with the Nashville Predators last year. The other players played in the American Hockey League or the Ontario Hockey League last year.