The Edmonton Oilers got busy late in the proceedings on NHL trade deadline day as they have acquired forward Patrick O'Sullivan in a pair of deals involving four teams.
The 24-year old O'Sullivan was originally shipped along with a second round draft pick in 2009 from the Los Angeles Kings to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward Justin Williams.
The ‘Canes then turned around and dealt O'Sullivan and the draft pick they received from the King to the Oilers in exchange for Erik Cole, sending the Oswego, New York native back to the team where he won the Stanley Cup in 2006 and a fifth round pick in 2009.
The Oilers were not done there as they sent a second round draft pick to the Buffalo Sabres for forward Ales Kotalik.
"With Ales, he's a proven performer. His areas of strength are obvious; a heavy shot, intelligence and skill," Oilers' general manager Steve Tambellini. "[Kotalik and O'Sullivan] are both strong players. There was so much discussion over the last week. We knew what we were looking for."
The 30-year old Kotalik has 13 goals and 19 assists in 56 games with the Sabres this season. He will become an unrestricted free agent July 1st.
O'Sullivan, who is signed through the 2010-11 season, has 14 goals and 23 assists in 62 games with the Kings this season. He was originally a second round pick of the Minnesota Wild in 2003.
"With Patrick, he's becoming a prominent player in the NHL," explained Tambellini. "He had a great year last year."
Meanwhile, Cole's time in Edmonton lasted only 63 games after the Oilers acquired him this past summer from the Hurricanes in exchange for defenceman Joni Pitkanen. Cole has 16 goals and 11 assists this season. The 30-year old Cole is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
"I'm a little disappointed that things didn't work out here. It's not the way I'd envisioned or that I'd hoped," said Cole after the trade.
"For me, it should be a pretty easy transition back to Carolina. Obviously, it's a place that's very familiar."
Finally Williams, who is currently on injured reserve with a broken hand, has three goals and seven assists in 32 games. He also missed time this season with an Achilles injury.
