Martin Skoula's time in Toronto was brief as it appears the defenceman is on his way to the New Jersey Devils.
The Maple Leafs will receive a 5th-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in exchange.
“Martin Skoula is a defenseman who has played more than 750 games in the NHL,” said Devils' President/CEO/General Manager Lou Lamoriello. “He gives us additional depth at the defensive position, while adding size and experience to our lineup.”
The 30-year old Skoula, who was acquired by the Maple Leafs on Monday from the Pittsburgh Penguins along with Luca Caputi in exchange for Alex Ponikarovsky, has three goals and five assists in 33 games this season.
The veteran blueliner will be joining his sixth NHL club after being drafted in the first round (17th overall) by the Colorado Avalanche in the 1998 draft. He also skated for Anaheim, Dallas, and Minnesota before signing a one-year contract with the Penguins as an unrestricted free agent last summer.
Skoula is again eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He is earning $575,000 this season.
This is the second time that Skoula has been dealt on deadline day as he was sent to the Minnesota Wild from the Dallas Stars in 2006 with Shawn Belle for Willie Mitchell and the Wild's second round choice in the 2007 NHL entry draft.
