UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- In a move that helps both teams in regard to salaries, the New Jersey Devils acquired forward Trent Hunter from the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Brian Rolston on Thursday.
Hunter, 31, spent nine seasons with the Islanders, compiling 99 goals and 229 points in 459 NHL games.
He played just 17 games last season, scoring one goal, because of a torn knee ligament. Acquired from Anaheim on May 23, 2000, Hunter was a Ducks' sixth-round draft choice in 1998.
Rolston, 38, was in his second stint as a Devil. He had 14 goals and 34 points last season, when New Jersey missed the post-season for the first time since 1996.
The deal brings the Islanders closer to the NHL's salary floor of $48.3 million next season. It also gives the Devils more cap space to attempt to sign restricted free agent Zach Parise, who is scheduled to go to salary arbitration next week.
Rolston is entering the final year of a deal that pays him a little more than $5 million. Hunter is scheduled to earn $2 million.
