The Edmonton Oilers have acquired defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forward Jarret Stoll and defenceman Matt Greene.
The Oilers believe that with Sheldon Souray, Visnovsky helps solidify their powerplay. And with the development of Andrew Cogliano, Sam Gagner and Robert Nilsson, Edmonton had too many forwards.
Plus, Stoll is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent next year while Green will be a unrestricted free agents in two years.
''It's never easy to give up a player of Lubo's caliber, but for the direction of this franchise, this exchange allows us to add two players who fit the long-term vision for this team,'' Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi said. ''We appreciate Lubo's service and outstanding play these last seven years in Los Angeles. He was not only a great player for us, but a class act.''
With the trade, Edmonton inherits the five-year, US$28-million contract extension Visnovsky signed with the Kings in July 2007. The Kings will owe Greene $1.25 million for 2008-09 season.
Visnovsky, 31, posted 70 goals and 209 assists in 499 games with the Kings since being drafted by Los Angeles in the fourth round, 118th overall, in 2000. He became the first Kings defenceman to lead the team in scoring in 2005-06, tallying a career-high 17 goals and 50 assists.
The 5-10, 188 lbs. native of Topolcany, Slovak Republic, also added on assist in 12 career post season games.
Stoll, 25, tallied 59 goals and 106 assists in 186 games since being selected by the Oilers with Edmonton's second round pick, 36th overall, in 2002. The 6-1, 210 lbs. native of Melville, SK, Canada, also has added four goals and six assists in 24 post-season games with Edmonton.
Stoll was an assistant captain for the club in 2007-08.
Greene, 24, has one goal and 12 assists in 151 games since being selected by Edmonton in the 2nd round, 44th overall, in 2002. The 6-3, 233 lbs. native of Grand Ledge, Mich., has added one assist in 18 playoff games with the Oilers.
