Tag Archives: NHL

Maple Leafs trade Polak, Spaling to Sharks for 2 second-round picks, Torres

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.

"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.

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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Canucks’ Vrbata leaves game injured after ending goalless drought

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.

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.

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VIDEO: Rangers’ Klein snipes OT winner past Jimmy Howard

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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