Maple Leafs Acquire Lombardi, Franson from Predators

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they have acquired center Matthew Lombardi and defenseman Cody Franson from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Brett Lebda and left wing Robert Slaney. A fourth round pick in 2013 was also included in the deal, which one of the teams will receive based on how many games Lombardi plays in for the Maple Leafs. Lombardi missed the majority of the 2010-11 season with a concussion and appeared in only two games with the Predators, scoring no points. Franson appeared in 80 games with Nashville last season, scoring eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points. In 41 games last season with the Maple Leafs, Lebda had one goal and three assists for four points. Slaney played in nine games with Toronto of the AHL in 2010-11, scoring one assist. He also appeared in 61 games with Reading of the ECHL, scoring seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points. Provided Lombardi fully recovers from the concussion, this is an excellent trade for the Maple Leafs. He will bring lots of speed, two-way skill, and scoring depth to the forward lines. In Franson, Toronto gets a young defender with plenty of offensive upside and excellent skills on the power play. He will likely see plenty of ice time with the Maple Leafs next season. As for the Predators, this is a salary dumping move, as they have freed up $2.2 million. The financial flexibility will help in their efforts to re-sign defenseman Shea Weber. Lebda brings some mobility and offensive ability to the blueline, but likely won't see much ice-time next season. Slaney will likely spend all of next season in the minors.

Predators Sign Forwards Lombardi and Andersson, Re-Sign Laakso

The Nashville Predators added some much needed offensive depth to their lineup on Friday by signing center Matthew Lombardi to a three-year contract worth $10.5 million. The deal averages out to $3.5 million per season. The Predators also signed right wing Jonas Andersson and defenseman Teemu Laakso to one-year contracts. Financial terms of their deals were not disclosed. The Lombardi signing is a good one for Nashville, as he will bring scoring depth, excellent two-way skills, and lots of speed to their forward lines. Andersson and Laakso are really nothing more than depth signings and are likely to spend most of next season in the minors.

Flames Acquire Olli Jokinen from Coyotes

The Calgary Flames made a big splash on deadline day by acquiring center Olli Jokinen fro the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for C Matthew Lombardi, LW Brandon Prust, and Calgary's first round pick in the 2009 or 2010 Entry Draft at Calgary's choice. The Flames also received a third round pick from the Coyotes. The trade reunites Jokinen with Mike Keenan for the first time since the two were together in Florida. Jokinen had popped up in trade rumors in recent weeks because he was not fitting in well with some of the Coyotes' young players. In 57 games so far this season, Jokinen has 21 goals and 21 assists for 42 points. Lombardi has nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points in 50 games this season. Prust, who is currently sidelined with a concussion, has one goal and one assist for two points and 79 penalty minutes in 25 games this season. Jokinen brings the Flames a tremendous amount of offensive experience and firepower. He will fit in nicely with the likes of Jarome Iginla, Mike Cammalleri, and Daymond Langkow. Lombardi will bring lots of speed and offensive depth to the Coyotes, while Prust brings lots of toughness to their lineup.