With under an hour and a half to go until the NHL trade deadline, the Colorado Avalanche acquired defenseman Eric Gelinas from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 2017 third round pick.
Avs get Gelinas for 3rd in 2017
— Adrian Dater (@adater) February 29, 2016
Gelinas, 24, was the Devils’ second round pick, 54th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The left-handed defenseman has appeared in 156 NHL contests, scoring 14 goals and 54 points, as well as recording a minus-14, spanning across parts of four NHL seasons. His rookie campaign still stands as his career best, as he tallied 22 assists and 29 points in 60 games for New Jersey in 2013-14.
Gelinas is expected to serve on the Avalanche’s second pairing with 24-year-old Tyson Barrie or on the third pairing with rookie Chris Bigras.
#Avalanche now at the 50 contract limit with the Gelinas trade. https://t.co/nacc5R9wEu
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) February 29, 2016
The trade comes minutes after the Avalanche dealt forwards Alex Tanguay and Conner Bleackley, along with defenseman Kyle Wood, to the Arizona Coyotes for forward Mikkel Boedker.
For NHL trade deadline coverage, stay tuned to The Hockey Writers.
Featured Image was provided by Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers