It was announced today that the Toronto Maple Leafs have traded defenceman Roman Polak and forward Nick Spaling to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Raffi Torres, a 2017 second round pick and a 2018 second round pick.
Leafs trade Polak and Spaling to San Jose for Raffi Torres, a 2nd in 2017and a 2nd in 2018. The Lou tear down continues.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 22, 2016
Roman Polak Traded to TEAM
Polak had been on the Leafs trade block all season, having picked up his performance under the coaching of Mike Babcock. His point production has increased from last year, and he has been more effectively used on the penalty kill. The 6’0″, 237 pound blueliner has received a decent share of time with young puck-mover Jake Gardiner. A veteran stay-at-home defenceman like Polak will be a useful addition to San Jose’s defensive core.
The Ostrava, Czech Republic native is playing in his tenth NHL season at age 29. He was traded to the Leafs in 2014 from St. Louis, where he spent the first eight years of his career, in exchange for Carl Gunnarsson.
Polak’s 5-year, $13.75 million contract expires after this season, so Sharks won’t have to worry about his $2.75 million cap hit for too long. As a right-handed shot, he is a helpful asset to the Sharks as they gear up for a playoff run.
Spaling, 27, was part of last summer’s trade that saw Phil Kessel head to Pittsburgh. He has one goal and seven points in 35 games with the Leafs this season. Spaling is in the final year of a two-year, $4.4 million ($2.2 million AAV), contract given to him by the Penguins. He will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
Coming back to the Leafs are a pair of second round picks, which are likely to help long-term in their rebuild process.
The Leafs also pick up the contract of Raffi Torres, which expires this summer. Torres has been loaned back to the San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks own AHL affiliate. This appears to be a move to make the cap space work for the Sharks.
We will have more details on this trade as it develops. Follow @LastWordonPuck and Lastwordonsports.com for all of your NHL trade deadline news and analysis.
Main Photo:
Main Photo Caption: CALGARY, AB – FEBRUARY 9: Roman Polak #46 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on February 9, 2016 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
