Devils Acquire Maxim Noreau from Wild for David McIntyre

The New Jersey Devils announced today that they have acquired defenseman Maxim Noreau from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for center David McIntyre. Noreau will be eligible for restricted free agency on July 1, while McIntyre still has one more year left on his current contract. In five games last season with the Wild, Noreau had no points. He also appeared in 76 games with Houston of the AHL, scoring 10 goals and 44 assists for 54 points. McIntyre played in 78 games with Albany of the AHL last season, scoring 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points. Not a bad depth move for the Devils, as Noreau has lots of offensive potential and can play with a little bit of toughness. There's a good chance he could make the team next season as a sixth or seventh defenseman. Noreau had fallen down the depth chart in Minnesota and would have had a hard time making the team given the number of offensive blueliners already on the roster. He will definitely get a chance to crack an NHL roster full time in New Jersey. As for the Wild, they get a little offensive depth in McIntyre, but he will likely spend all of next season in the minors.

Ducks Acquire Brookbank from Devils

The Anaheim Ducks announced late Tuesday night that they have acquired defenseman Sheldon Brookbank from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for the rights to center David McIntyre. The Ducks had acquired the rights to McIntyre back in December from Dallas in exchange for Brian Sutherby. In 15 games so far this season, Brookbank has no points and 25 penalty minutes. McIntyre, who has to appear in an NHL game, has played in 26 games this season with Colgate University, scoring 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points. The Ducks were likely looking for some physical depth on their blueline and got it in Brookbank. Given the experience on the Ducks' defense, he may not see much playing time, but could fill in for injuries. However, he is under contract through next season and could possibly get a spot on the team next season as Chris Pronger is the only mainstay on the Ducks' defense signed through next season. While there is no guarantee that impending free agent defensemen Scott Niedermayer, Francois Beauchemin, Bret Hedican, Steve Montador, or Kent Huskins will be retained this summer, there is no guarantee Brookbank will make the team next season either. He will have to fight for a spot at training camp.

Stars Acquire Sutherby from Ducks

The Dallas Stars announced on Sunday that they have acquired center Brian Sutherby from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the rights to center David McIntyre and a conditional sixth round draft pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. So far this season, Sutherby has played in 17 games, scoring three goals and three assists for six points. He has missed the last 10 games with a groin strain, but had been recently skating with the Ducks. McIntyre has not been signed to an NHL contract yet and is currently playing with the Colgate Raiders at Colgate University. He currently has five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 14 games. The Stars are currently a bit depleted on their forward ranks, with injuries to Brendan Morrow, Jere Lehtinen, Steve Ott, and Joel Lundqvist, and the suspension of Sean Avery. Acquiring Sutherby gives them some depth and veteran experience to their injury-ravaged offense. Sutherby saw little playing time with the Ducks when he was healthy, often playing on their 4th line, and looked as if he was expendable to the team. It also helps the Ducks free up a little bit of cap space which they could use near the trade deadline if they feel the need to add a depth player to the team going into the playoffs.