The Detroit Red Wings traded forward Ville Leino to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday in exchange for defenceman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and a fifth-round pick in the 2011 NHL draft.
The Red Wings then placed Tollefsen on waivers, where he can be claimed by any team before noon et on Sunday. Detroit needs a roster spot and some cap space with a number of players, including Johan Franzen, due to return from injury. If Tollefsen clears waivers, it's likely the Red Wings will send him down to Grand Rapids (AHL).
Leino, 26, was originally signed by the Red Wings from Jokerit of the Finnish League in 2008. In 55 games over two seasons with Detroit, Leino scored nine goals and seven assists. He was re-signed as a restricted free agent to a two-year deal by the Red Wings last summer.
Tollefsen, 25, signed with the Flyers as an unrestricted free agent last July after spending his first three NHL seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. This season, Tollefsen had two assists in 18 games with Philadelphia, but has missed a total of 30 games because of concussion and MCL injuries.
Tollefsen was a third-round pick of the Blue Jackets in 2002.
The NHL trade deadline is March 3, but there is a roster freeze in effect during the Vancouver Olympics from February 12 at 3pm until Feb. 28 at midnight.
