ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Anaheim Ducks traded forwards Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday for defenceman Jesse Blacker and two draft picks.
Blacker was a second-round pick by the Maple Leafs in 2009, but never cracked the NHL roster. The 22-year-old defenceman spent the past two years with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, scoring 11 points in 61 games last season.
The Ducks receive a 2014 third-round pick that could become a second-round pick under certain conditions. Anaheim also reacquired its 2014 seventh-round pick, originally sent to Toronto in a trade for David Steckel.
Blacker will add defensive depth to the Ducks' minor league system. He was assigned to Anaheim's AHL affiliate in Norfolk.
Anaheim gave up two forwards who couldn't earn a regular role with the overall NHL leaders.
Holland, a 22-year-old centre, made his debut on the Maple Leafs' top line Saturday night against Buffalo. The former first-round pick never cemented a role in Anaheim despite numerous opportunities over the past two seasons, losing competition for playing time to Nick Bonino, Kyle Palmieri and others in the centre-rich organization.
The Maple Leafs needed immediate help at centre with the loss of Tyler Bozak and Dave Bolland to injury and the three-game suspension of Nazem Kadri.
The well-travelled Staubitz was assigned to the Marlies. He had two points and 41 penalty minutes in 15 games with the Ducks last season.
NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. © Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.