The Anaheim Ducks trade Foster, and Pielmeier to the New Jersey Devils for Rod Pelley, Mark Fraser and a draft pick.
Kurtis Foster is a questionable solution to the New Jersey Devils' woes on defense (BridgetDS/Flickr).
Yesterday the Anaheim Ducks, and New Jersey Devils made a trade. On the surface this deal seems to be a trade to maybe get rid of some players that haven’t found a big role with either team, and hoping a change of scenery is what the players needed to get them going again.
The Devils get Kurtis Foster a defenseman who had a huge year in 09′-10′ for Tampa Bay when he ended up with 42 points in 71 games but hasn’t put up close to those kinds of number with Edmonton last year, or with the Ducks this season where on most nights he was a healthy scratch. With 2 points in 9 games this season Foster still has a strong shot, and can help on the power play, but his defense has been a problem, and he doesn’t use his big 6’5″ 230 lb. the way you would hope. Another reason the sinking Ducks might have wanted to trade Foster is to she his $1.8 mill. salary from the payroll.
The Devils also received Goaltender Timo Pielmeier. Pielmeier, is a player that when the Ducks traded for him from San Jose in 09′ he was looked to be a top goaltending prospect in the Ducks system. Since then however he has failed to pan out very well playing in the AHL last year and the ECHL this year. One reason he was expendable and why he was playing in the ECHL this year was the Ducks added a lot of depth at goaltender this year with Jeff Deslauriers, and Iiro Tarkki both signing with the Ducks this off-season.
Besides shedding some payroll the Ducks also added a little depth at forward and defense. Rod Pelley is a center who can probably help out the Ducks 4th line. Pelley is an energy guy who only played 7 games this year with the devils and was often a healthy scratch. With little offense he might have the same role with the Ducks. Mark Fraser is a stay at home defenseman who will likely be the 6th/7th defenseman along with Nate Guenin. He has only appeared in 4 games this season and like all 4 players in this deal is hoping the change of scenery will turn into a bigger role with his new team. The Ducks also received a 7th round pick in the 2012 draft to complete the trade.
Jeff Shibley
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