CALGARY - The Calgary Flames have traded defenceman Kris Russell to the Dallas Stars. The Flames get defenceman Jyrki Jokipakka, forward Brett Pollock and a conditional 2016 second-round draft pick in the deal. The 28-year-old Russell has ...

The Anaheim Ducks have added some firepower by acquiring Brandon Pirri from the Florida Panthers for a sixth-round pick in 2016, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Pirri, 24, is set to become a restricted free agent at season's end, while carrying a salary cap hit of $975,000 this season.

In 52 games with the Panthers this season, Pirri scored 11 goals on 111 shots. Last season, however, he posted one of the NHL's most unique stat lines, recording 22 goals and two assists in 49 games.

For the Ducks, he brings a potential boost to an offense that struggled mightily early on this season.

Pirri was originally a second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2009, and has scored 46 goals in 157 career games.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

TORONTO - There was always a plan.

Having spent part of last and all of this season with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, Maple Leafs prospect William Nylander was always direct about where he'd rather be.

"I want to play in the NHL this season," the 19-year-old said.

The Maple Leafs enforced patience on their Swedish prospect. On Monday, however, Nylander finally got the call from Maple Leafs assistant general manager Kyle Dubas, informing him of the news he'd long been waiting to hear - he's a Maple Leaf.

"It's going to be a tough game, I've never played at this level before," Nylander said ahead of his NHL debut. "It'll be interesting to see how it unfolds."

It's time, apparently

Selected eighth overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Nylander began his first year in the Toronto organization playing in the Swedish Hockey League. He would join the Marlies midway through the year, scoring 14 goals and 32 points in 37 games.

This season, Nylander's been even better, producing at a torrid pace. He has 18 goals and 45 points in 37 games.

Helping ease Nylander's transition to the show are the plethora of Marlies teammates who were called up along with him - forwards Kasperi Kapanen, Nikita Soshnikov, and Zach Hyman. All four will suit up in their first NHL games Monday.

A lot in common

Nylander and Kapanen, in particular, have formed quite the bond over the years. Both will become second-generation NHLers at the same time. Their fathers, Michael Nylander and Sami Kapanen, played 1,751 games combined in the NHL. When William and Kasperi learned they were being called up, both were sure to keep it to themselves.

"I actually didn't have any idea Willy was going to be here," Kapanen said. "We didn't want to text each other in case the other didn't get the text. We were kind of quiet but I saw him in the locker room when I got here and we started laughing."

Both players spent time at this year's World Junior Hockey Championship, but with different fates. Nylander suffered a concussion early in the tournament and was shut down. Kapanen scored the golden goal for Team Finland on home soil.

Kapanen has eight goals and 22 points in 32 games in the AHL.

Easing the pain

All four call-ups will be sent down for a couple of minutes Monday afternoon as part of a paper transaction, before being called up minutes later. The process is done to ensure all four are eligible to play for the Marlies when the AHL playoffs begin.

"We've been talking with them and what we did is try to put these players in the best position to have success," head coach Mike Babcock said. "We've tried to build structure in exhibition."

With many eyes on Nylander, the Maple Leafs have crowded the playing field by calling up myriad prospects.

There will be a lot of nerves for the kids, but there will also be comfort in having several Marlies teammates - who have been dominant in the AHL - on the bench.

With 88 points in 56 games, the Marlies are far clear of any other team in the AHL. There is nothing left for Nylander to prove in the minors in the regular season.

Maple Leafs management has been weary of calling up players before they are ready, but the top prospects are being rewarded for their play. The Marlies' success and the Maple Leafs' struggles have changed the team's plans.

Now, it's up to the young guns to show what they can do.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

DENVER - The Colorado Avalanche acquired forward Mikkel Boedker from the Arizona Coyotes for forwards Alex Tanguay and Conner Bleackley as well as defenceman Kyle Wood on Monday. Boedker, 26, had 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 62 games w...

The New Jersey Devils have traded defenseman Eric Gelinas to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a third-round draft pick in 2017.

Gelinas has spent his entire three-year career with the Devils, but has struggled to remain in the lineup this season. The 24-year-old has dressed in just 34 games, tallying one goal and five assists.

He was drafted by New Jersey in the second round in 2009.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars have filled out their previously incomplete defensive rotation, acquiring noted shot-blocker Kris Russell from the Calgary Flames, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman was first to report.

Calgary will receive 24-year-old defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka, forward prospect Brett Pollock, and a conditional second-round draft selection for the pending unrestricted free agent.

Should Dallas make the conference final this spring - and Russell appears in at least 50 percent of the team's games - the 2016 draft pick will become a first-round selection, according to Friedman.

No salary was retained in the agreement, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.

Russell's worth has been a contentious talking point throughout his free-agent season, but he'll be of value to Dallas. Likely destined for a second-pairing role, Russell will slot the back half of the rotation into their correct assignments.

Friedman notes that the Stars may still be in on defenseman Dan Hamhuis.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks acquired goaltender Drew MacIntyre from the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday for defenceman Dennis Robertson. The Blackhawks said MacIntyre, 32, will report to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. ...

The Colorado Avalanche have scored one of the NHL trade deadline's big targets, acquiring Mikkel Boedker from the Arizona Coyotes.

Arizona's return is a package of forward Alex Tanguay and prospects Conner Bleackley and Kyle Wood, both of whom were drafted by Colorado in 2014. Bleackley had yet to sign an entry-level deal, meaning he could be draft eligible in June if he doesn't agree to terms with the Coyotes.

Boedker, 26, is nearing the end of a one-year, $3.75-million contract signed last summer, and was unable to come to terms with the Coyotes on an extension.

He recorded 13 goals and 26 assists in 62 games this season.

Tanguay, who is also set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, had contributed four goals and 18 assists in 52 games for a Colorado team clinging to the second wild-card spot out West.

The cap addition for the Avalanche is minimal over the course of the season's remaining weeks.

#Avs add $250,000 annually in Boedker over Tanguay. Just $53,763 rest of the way.https://t.co/w0YknGMQrz

— General Fanager (@generalfanager) February 29, 2016

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks pulled off a very minor deal Monday.

The Hurricanes acquired defenseman Dennis Robertson in exchange for Blackhawks goaltender Drew MacIntyre.

The 24-year-old Robertson recorded two goals and three assists in 37 games with the AHL's Rockford IceHogs this season. He has never played an NHL game.

MacIntyre, who last played in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2013-14, struggled for the AHL's Charlotte Checkers with a 3.09 GAA and .890 save percentage in 28 games this season.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.