The Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames completed a trade on Monday.
The Flames acquired forward Colin Stuart and defenceman Anton Stralman and the Leafs' 7th round selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft for forward Wayne Primeau and the Flames' 2nd round pick in 2011.
Stuart, who was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 5th round (135th overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, has accumulated eight goals and five assists along with 24 penalty minutes in 51 career NHL games.
Stralman, who was originally drafted by the Maple Leafs in the 7th round (216th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, has totaled four goals and 18 assists along with 38 penalty minutes in 88 career NHL games.
Primeau was drafted 17th overall in 1994 by the Buffalo Sabres. He's played 715 games in the NHL and has recorded 66 goals and 120 assists.
An interesting deal as it sends one of the Leafs young puck movers to Calgary. For a team that has, at this point, questionably mobility from the blueline it raises some eyebrows. But when broken down it seems that Stralman, who is a depth blueliner after Burke's busy off-season, was moved for a 2nd round selection which is a pretty good return for a non-established player. Adapting to the Western Conference style of play may be a challenge for Stralman but he should prove to be a good puck-moving defender down the line. That is, if he doesn't bolt back to Sweden.
Other parts of the deal seem inconsequential. Stuart has been a career-minor leaguer at this point and though he would have received a long look at camp he's a role player at best. Primeau is in the same boat, but more established. He has had some problems with injuries the past few seasons but a healthy Primeau is a good 4th line center on any team. At worst he stays healthy enough to be moved for a draft pick to a contending team at the deadline.
This deal also helps Calgary open up more cap space moving Primeau's 1.4 million dollar cap hit.
An interesting deal, and it seems like there may be more to come...
