The New Jersey Devils continued to bolster their blueline, acquiring defenceman Brad Lukowich from the New York Islanders for a third-round pick in 2006.
A reliable, mind-the-store defender, Lukowich had 13 points and a minus-3 rating in 57 games with the Islanders this year.
''Brad Lukowich provides additional depth and experience to our defense,'' Devils general manager and head coach and Lamoriello said.
Lukowich, 29, is earning $1-million this year and is under contract for $1-million next season. The Cranbrook, B.C. native won a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2003-2004.
Lukowich joins the Devils along with Ken Klee, who was added from Toronto on Wednesday, giving the Devils two veteran blueliners for the playoff push. The moves likely mean that a young player like David Hale may find himself on the outside looking in barring injury.
Also, with the Islanders adding defence prospect Denis Grebeshkov from the Kings Wednesday, the trade of Lukowich could open up a spot for Grebeshkov on Long Island.
Bob McKenzie on the Brad Lukowich trade - Lukowich is a pressure treated guy. He's been through the playoff wars and Lou Lamoriello loves those guys. To that end. he got Kenny Klee yesterday and Lukowich today.
Pierre McGuire on the Brad Lukowich trade - This deal takes a bit of pressure off of Brian Rafalski, who has been playing close to 26 minutes a game for the Devils. That's too much and you can see it in his play - he's not been nearly as consistent as last year. They've lost Scott Niedermayer, Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko in the last year. Vladimir Malakhov and Dan McGillis didn't work out. Now they've replaced Malakhov and McGillis with Klee and Lukowich, and that should work out for the Devils. They are better now than they were yesterday morning.