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Leafs Acquire David Steckel from Devils

October 4, 2011, 6:54 PM ET [ Comments]
Ken Beckett
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired David Steckel from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 4th round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft.

Steckel split last season with the Washington Capitals and New Jersey. In 75 games played, the 29-year old centreman had six goals and six assists.

The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native led all NHL players in faceoff winning percentage (62.3%) in the 2010-11 season. Overall, he has placed in the top seven in faceoff winning percentage in each of his first four full NHL seasons.

Steckel is perhaps best remembered for being the player who collided with Sidney Crosby in last year's Winter Classic. The hit caused the Penguins' superstar to miss the remainder of last year and the start of this year's campaign due to the lingering effects of a concussion.

The 6-foot-5 centreman joins a Leafs squad that already has several names up the middle on their depth chart. In addition to Steckel, Toronto has Mikhail Grabovski, Tim Connolly, Matthew Lombardi, Tyler Bozak and Philippe Dupuis at the centre position.

Steckel is entering into the second year of a three-year, $3.3 million contract. The addition of Steckel puts the Leafs up against the salary cap, with $101,667 remaining according to Capgeek.com.

For up-to-the-minute Leafs news and updates, be sure to follow Ken Beckett on Twitter @KenBeckett
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