The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded defenseman Roman Polak and forward Nick Spaling to the San Jose Sharks for second-round picks in 2017 and 2018, and forward Raffi Torres.
There is no money retained in the TOR-SJ deal.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 22, 2016
"Roman and Nick are both quality, character players that will complement and enhance our current roster,” Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said. "Our existing group of players has battled hard and they have earned the right to have every chance to succeed this season."
Polak's in the final year of a five-year, $13.75-million deal and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the campaign.
The 29-year-old recorded one goal and 12 assists in 55 games.
Spaling will also become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, carrying a $2.2-million cap hit.
The 27-year-old was in and out of the lineup for the Maple Leafs in 2015-16, tallying just one goal and six assists in 35 games.
Leafs have now traded three of their nine UFAs. Remaining: Reimer, Parenteau, Boyes, Grabner, Arcobello, Clune.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) February 22, 2016
Torres will be re-assigned to the AHL's San Jose Barracuda. The 34-year-old hasn't played an NHL game since 2014.
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Vancouver Canucks forward Radim Vrbata's trade value was definitely on the rise Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche as he ended a 14-game goalless drought in front of a number of league scouts, but his night took a turn for the worst during the third period.
The pending free agent took an awkward fall while being pursued by defenseman Tyson Barrie in the corner, and the 34-year-old immediately left the game and limped to the dressing room.
Vrbata takes an awkward fall and leaves the game.#Canucks lead 3-0 with 12:46 to play. pic.twitter.com/ONMlJnv0wL
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) February 22, 2016
The team has yet to give any update on the winger's condition, but Canucks fans are clearly worried about one of their most valuable trade assets ahead of the trade deadline.
Vrbata injured. No. His trade value was sky rocketing.
— Desai87 (@VasimDesai) February 22, 2016
Radim Vrbata getting injured a week before the deadline is so #Canucks
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) February 22, 2016
Only one more thing for #Canucks fans to hope happens tonight...
— Omar A (@omarcanuck) February 22, 2016
(that Vrbata's ok)
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After both he and fellow goalie Henrik Lundqvist kept the scoresheet blank through 60 minutes during Sunday's game between the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, it was a familiar face who spoiled Jimmy Howard's bid for his first win since Dec. 3.
Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein sniped the game-winner in overtime past the glove of the Red Wings goalie after a nice feed from forward Kevin Hayes.
(Courtesy: NHL.com)
It's not the first time Klein has scored a big goal on Howard. The blue-liner scored another beauty against him on the glove side during the 2012 playoffs as a member of the Nashville Predators, who went on to win that game and the first-round series.
Klein's heroics helped Lundqvist record his fifth shutout of the season, and sixth win in his past seven starts.
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After a 54-point campaign a year ago, Ryan Callahan has struggled to produce at the same pace this season. But one thing hasn't changed - when the 30-year-old scores, the Tampa Bay Lightning win.
Callahan scored his seventh of the season with a rocket in the second period and added an empty-netter in the final minute as the Lightning beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Sunday. Since joining the team in 2013, the Rochester, N.Y., native has lifted Tampa Bay to a record of 27-5-2 in games in which he scores.
(Courtesy: NHL.com)
"The confidence is definitely there again," said Callahan, who has three goals and five points in his last four games. He now has eight goals and 22 points in 58 games on the season.
J.T. Brown scored his eighth of the season, while captain Steven Stamkos' team-leading 25th would stand as the eventual game-winner. At the other end of the rink, Ben Bishop made 29 saves to backstop the Lightning's third consecutive win.
Now just five points behind the rival Florida Panthers for the Atlantic Division lead, Tampa Bay will host the struggling Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday before heading out on a four-game road trip.
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