The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Monday that they have traded defenceman Keith Aulie to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Carter Ashton.
Ashton, a 6-foot-3 winger, was taken in the first round (29th overall) by the Lightning in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In 56 games with the American Hockey League's Norfolk Admirals this season, the 20-year old Winnipeg native has registered 19 goals and 16 assists.
The former Tri-City Americans forward won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championship in Buffalo, New York. During that tournament, Ashton had a goal and two assists.
Carter is the son of former NHL player Brent Ashton who played in 998 NHL games played from 1979-93, registering 284 goals and 629 points over his career. The scouting report on Carter Ashton is that he is a gritty power forward and a solid prospect with strong skating skills and a nose for the net.
Toronto originally acquired Aulie from the Calgary Flames along with Dion Phaneuf on Nov. 12, 2010. Over his short tenure with the Leafs, the 6-foot-6 defenceman played in 57 games with the big club, registering two goals and two assists.
Sending Aulie to the Lightning creates some room on a crowded Toronto blue line. The Blue and White are high on several defensive prospects in their system including Korbinian Holzer and Jesse Blacker, and this move could create an opportunity for Holzer to get a chance to appear with the Leafs in the not too distant future.
Aulie is set to become a restricted free agent in the summer, while Ashton has two years remaining on his entry-level deal with a cap hit of $1.04 million.
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