2 weeks ago
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NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey Devils traded Ondrej Palat to the division-rival New York Islanders on Tuesday night, moving on from the veteran winger they had been trying to deal for quite some time.
The Devils sent a third-round pick in the draft this year and 2027 sixth-rounder with Palat for 27-year-old Maxim Tsyplakov. The Islanders took on Palat’s entire $6 million salary cap hit for this season and next.
The 34-year-old Palat was seen leaving New Jersey’s arena prior to pregame warmups before Tuesday’s game against Winnipeg. The team said he was being held out for roster-related reasons, suggesting a trade was in the works.
The Islanders made a second acquisition from an area team less than 24 hours since getting defenseman Carson Soucy from the Rangers on Monday night. They have shifted into contending mode in large part because of the stellar play of No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer, who is the frontrunner to be the NHL’s rookie of the year.
The Devils have for several months been discussing trading Palat and defenseman Dougie Hamilton in an effort to clear cap space.
“These are two respected players,” general manager Tom Fitzgerald said on Jan. 14. “They’re very respected in th...
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