Leafs Acquire Dave Steckel From New Jersey

[Thrillhouse]

Brian Burke, President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Tuesday evening that the hockey club has obtained centreman Dave Steckel from the New Jersey Devils. In exchange, the Devils will receive Toronto’s fourth-round draft pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

The centreman led all NHL players in faceoff winning percentage (62.3%) in the 2010-11 season. Overall, he has placed in the top seven in faceoff winning percentage in each of his first four full NHL seasons. The native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin has 59 points (24g, 35a) in 309 career NHL games with the Capitals and Devils. A veteran of 24 NHL playoff games with the Capitals, Steckel has four goals and three assists in the post-season.

Steckel, 29, was selected in the first round, 30th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

[FreakNasty]

Damn you! Beat me by 8 mins!

[Fireball_IV]

Trade or minors please...

[skacore]

Nice, I like it. 6'5 centerman for the 4th line who is great on faceoffs for a 4th rounder. At the very least another depth singing I guess, but I would imagine he's suited for that 4th line center spot. Maybe the organization didn't see what they wanted from Dupuis/Boyce?

[Humpzilla]

Great, a guy who can be demolished by Zenon Konopka

Dave Steckel vs Zenon Konopka Jan 12, 2010 -...

[NJDevils17]

dklahrfipyuerkjahfajkdfhaljfha dfhjakdfhalkd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

M. Bison "Yes Yes!" Widescreen HD...

This can only mean that Brad Mills made the Devils!!!!!!!!!!!!! (hopefully!)


I know I'm way too excited over a 4th liner being traded, but still, this is great!

[I_am_Belak_2]

Eh whatever. He's great on faceoffs, plus is probably more offensively productive than Zigomanis.

[bengino]

it seems like this trade is a precursor for another trade if you are to believe the rumors floating around. Steckel is a decent acquisition but fails to ultimately fill the need, so one can only assume this is a trade to set something else up... whatever that might/might not turn out to be.

[grits207]

I like it. The Leafs need any additional help on the PK they can get and adding another big body can't hurt either.

I'm guessing this is a precursor to Bozak being traded since the Leafs now have 9 centers capable of playing in the NHL and could use another winger.

[McCunn8585]

I really like this pick-up for TO.

[Janssen25]

Thank god.

Guy is completely useless. He's basically Viktor Kozlov without any talent. Hes slow, doesn't hit and makes mistakes constantly.

I'm thrilled the Devils were able to get a 4th rounder, get his 2 year contract off the books and that they're going to give Mills a chance to center the 4th line. All great things.

[Juicys1]

Originally Posted by Janssen25

Thank god.

Guy is completely useless. He's basically Viktor Kozlov without any talent. Hes slow, doesn't hit and makes mistakes constantly.

I'm thrilled the Devils were able to get a 4th rounder, get his 2 year contract off the books and that they're going to give Mills a chance to center the 4th line. All great things.

I was waiting for your opinion j

[grits207]

Originally Posted by Janssen25

Thank god.

Guy is completely useless. He's basically Viktor Kozlov without any talent. Hes slow, doesn't hit and makes mistakes constantly.

I'm thrilled the Devils were able to get a 4th rounder, get his 2 year contract off the books and that they're going to give Mills a chance to center the 4th line. All great things.

He may be mostly useless but as long as he can continue to win as many faceoffs as he has his entire NHL career then he will be worth the 4th rounder for the Leafs. All of the Leafs current centers are tiny and are terrible at faceoffs. Steckel really just needs to be able to win faceoffs and then get off the ice.

[Big_Fat_Dan]

If they need a faceoff guy, Betts is on waivers, HEEEELLOOOO!!!

[Killah_punk]

Steckel is soft, for a guy who is 6'5 you'd think he would throw some hits but he doesn't. I remember after the Crosby hit Rupp, Engelland, and maybe someone else challenged Steckel but his gloves were glued on. Finally the next time these teams meet Steckel finally answered the bell against Tim Wallace who is not a great fighter but he still beat Steckel.